Name That TOOL #1
by Bikeman • June 13, 2023
This was as much fun as the Attic What IZIT used to be back in the early days of the internet. Being an ol' fashioned bike shop since the 70's, we've seen a lot of technology and "standards" come and go. As a result we have a lot of mostly outdated tools around the shop. For this contest we'd dig out an old tool and put it out to our visitors to identify. Much like we are posting reruns of the What IZIT we'll try to dust off one of these gems every week or so for a walk down memory lane.
Originally Published early in this century
Welcome to the first edition of name that tool. The concept is simple, we want you to Name the tool. The perfect answer will give us the make, model, functionality and a little creativity. The first edition is a moderately difficult tool. In the event of a tie on required elements the most creative answer will win.
Yes it has been an eon since we posted the contest. We have several great answers but as always one winner has been named. Several runner-up emails will receive a pair of Bikeman Sox for playing our first edition of Name That TOOL. Check below for the correct answer.
WINNER: James Naigus
"I have an answer for the name that tool contest. This tool is a VAR Chainring Bolt Tool #352. This is used when two chainring bolts get stuck. It is primarily used for assembly, and it combines the functions of a 12mm peg spanner and 5mm hex wrench. (luckily this has never happened to me!). You spin the T-handle to move the allen bolt, while the "clamp" holds the nut in place. Thanks for your time." ...Great work! James came up with the correct model number of the part and a description of use.
RUNNER UP: Leif Hudson
"That tool is a VAR chainring nut tool. Part No.352 That sucker holds the chainring nut so tight if it cant get it off, only dynamite will..." ...All required elements but not enough description.
RUNNER UP: Jake Morton
"That is a VAR Chainring bolt tool. The bottom (opposite the T handle) has an edge that fits into the slot on the back of the chainring nut while the T handle is attached to a 5mm allen wrench which fits the bolt itself. You use it to loosen chainring bolts that are rusted or otherwise frozen by the lovely junk that covers the roads. The tension from the spring makes it much easier to keep the tool engaged so you can concentrate on loosening the bolt rather than keeping the tool properly slotted. I've used one a couple of times to release rusted/corroded bolts that saw a few too many rides on salt-encrusted New England winter roads. Once the tool couldn't actually loosen the bolt, but managed to snap it in half, which accomplished the goal of getting the ring off for a long needed change." ...Excellent! Just missing the model number.
RUNNER UP: Aaron Panganiban
"This is easy, Blue in color those handles my guess made by VAR and it is Chainring Bolt Tool. The fixed end of what looks like a big clamp had teeth on it similar to a Chainring Bolt Spanner Tool. The other side was spring loaded and had a standard allen fitting which would tighten the chainring bolt down."