Tool Identification / Purpose Help

[PMK]

Pretty diverse group on this website, guessing someone here knows exactly the true purpose of this special pair of Vise Grips. These are a manufactured tool, not home modified. Guessing fairly old, since there is no handle release trigger.

These were one of the tools my dad had in his shop. He restored cars from the 30s, 40s, 50s, and sometimes 60s. Mostly though 1950s.

My guess is that this is a bodywork tool, possibly for simultaneously clamping two panels while acting as a drilling guide for temporary sheet holders (clecos), or it is a drill jig for some type of plate nut.

I do have another Vise Grip for bodywork that he had. That one though was obvious. The jaws are setup for joggling the backside panel allowing an outer panel to fit flush.

Here’s hoping someone knows, my internet research came away empty.

[cptjam]

Drill jig, usually for rivets. Normally used in sets, to connect panels. At least, that’s how I have seen this tool used. Then again, I’ve seen crescent wrenches used as a hammer! ��

[Chupaca]

seeing that the reach is so short it could only be used for bottom and/or top pinning. Possibly for drilling and attaching fender well and such...

[Gwolf]

Never seen those exact vise grips, but I would agree they are probably for drilling rivet holes in body panels. I have about 4 or 5 different types of locking vise grip pliers that are designed with special jaws to clamp metal for welding.

[Joe T.]

Plate nut drill guide. I would expect to find this in a aircraft mechanic's tool box, an OLD aircraft mechanic..

Joe T.

[LeftCoast]

Drill jig, usually for rivets. Normally used in sets, to connect panels. At least, that’s how I have seen this tool used. Then again, I’ve seen crescent wrenches used as a hammer! ��

How’d you get into my garage without me noticing!

[PMK]

Plate nut drill guide. I would expect to find this in a aircraft mechanic's tool box, an OLD aircraft mechanic..

Joe T.

Myself being an aircraft structures tech, I thought that too, but without a center hole for the actual fastener, seems unlikely it will be a plate nut jig.

[canamjhb]

Myself being an aircraft structures tech, I thought that too, but without a center hole for the actual fastener, seems unlikely it will be a plate nut jig.

I agree. This is a real head scratcher. Spent way too long trying to find something like this on the internet. No results. Got me curious and now baffled. Got to be some kind of hole jig but for what.....? Without a center hole or reference point for a center, it doesn't make sense..... Jim

[Cavman]

I agree with Joe T.