What is this?

[tmenyc]

no branding, no number, does not look home-made, no idea what its purpose is. Handle brings down little guillotine. Is it a cutting tool? I think it may be upside down in these pics.

Tim

 

[FOMOGO]

Torquemada's nail clipper? Mike

 

[higgite]

Nail clipper or nail puller? Ouch!

Tom

 

[matthewsx]

I'm guessing some kind of wire stripper? Use the thumb screw to set for correct gauge?

John

 

[silverhawk]

Or a crimping tool of some sort?

joe

 

[Bi11Hudson]

My speculation would be for trimming something like a band saw blade. Where the finished end must be absolutely straight and square. Hence the clamp screw to hold it still when cutting. That could be verified to some extent by the hardness of the cutter.

Whatever it cuts must be held in place tightly. The end must be "perfectly" straight while cutting. I don't see a "guide" to hold it square, that is just implied. I have welded a band saw blade on an old machine. When the ends were clamped up on insulators and an electric circuit made up, the two ends became the effective electrodes. True, smooth ends made a better weld. The cutter was built into the saw frame and had guides and clamps to hold it square while cutting. I have never seen a hand held version but such would look very much like what is displayed.

As far as an electrical tool goes, I would expect the cutter to have arcs where the blades come together to make holes. I don't think this tool is "electrical". Although I have little time in a panel shop so can't be absolutely sure. But it certainly is not a crimper. It cuts, not crimps.

.

 

[CluelessNewB]

Saw Tooth Setter https://www.goantiques.com/leach-saw-set-946407

 

[tmenyc]

that's it! Thanks!
Tim

 

[Nutfarmer]

It's great that there is always someone in the group that can figure it out