October 14, 2009

What is it?

Reader John sent in some photos of a mystery tool that he came across. His description is as follows:

It's 4 1/4" long; the "wheel" is 3 1/4" in diameter; each measuring section is 3/4" wide; it comes apart at the acorn nut so you could turn the wheel the other way around; neither the number of "teeth" nor the number of openings between the teeth correspond to the numbers on the wheel.

We've never seen anything like it before. If you can tell us what it's called and what it's used for (with some sort of evidence to back you up), we'll send a random tool your way. Drop a line in the comments section.

Recent Comments

Radiator fin straightener. Not only for vehicles but refrigerator / freezers. In the end it is a "Cool" tool to have.

Posted by: rhfjr at October 19, 2009 9:45 AM

Here's one:

http://www.mechanicstoolsupply.com/Air-Conditioning/Service-Tools/RO18400-Fin-Straightener-Robinair-18400/index.html

Similar to this but in a different format:

http://www.mainsupplies.com/index.php?cPath=61&main_page=index

Posted by: Christopher Fitch at October 14, 2009 5:00 PM

how to use:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwzwboqN5Cw

and they have non wheel versions too:z
http://www.google.com/products?q=fin+comb&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=YufVSvyQJJTllQeftLCcCQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CC8QrQQwAA

Posted by: Matt at October 14, 2009 11:01 AM

fin comb/fin straightener - same thing. numbers refer to the number of fins per inch that particular comb is designed to straighten, kind of like threads per inch on bolts. Auto parts stores also carry them.

Posted by: larrycura at October 14, 2009 9:49 AM

It's a radiator fin comb, looks just like the one from Helix Racing or HF

http://www.amazon.com/HELIX-Racing-RADIATOR-FIN-STRAIGHTENER/dp/B002KOJ4M4/

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37892

The numbers on the tool correspond to the fins/inch the comb is designed to repair.

Posted by: Pete at October 14, 2009 9:23 AM

it is a comb for AC coils to be cleaned and straightened...tony said it.

Posted by: tony at October 14, 2009 8:08 AM

Yeah - it is a fin comb and you can find plenty of them at Amazon!

Posted by: Zach Matzkin at October 14, 2009 7:25 AM

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37892

Posted by: Jon at October 14, 2009 7:18 AM