[SEL] Blue Handled Fence Pliers

[Arnie Fero]

Hi Alan,

At one time there was a "log book" that traveled with the pliers.  It
documented where all they'd been and what they'd been up to.  There were
also "local mementos" that were attached to the pliers; little wooden
shoes from Holland, I think a little koala bear from Oz, etc.  Some of
the tales recorded in words and pictures were pretty sordid.  I'm thinking
back to an incident at Coolspring involving a pair of needlenose
pliers that made the local news....

Does anyone know where the SEL FAQ lives these days?  The Tale of the
World-Famous Internationally Traveled Blue Handled Fence Pliers From The
Magnetic Center Of The Known Universe (AKA WFITBHFPFTMCOTKU) might be
there along with the Tales of Little Lisa (another lurid story with
pictures that ain't pretty).

Hmmmm, I found this FAQ, which has some interesting SEL lore, but not a
word on the WFITBHFPFTMCOTKU.
http://ralph.lafayette.la.us/stationary-engines/FAQ.shtml

And this FAQ which, while interesting and useful, DEFINITELY has nothing
on the WFITBHFPFTMCOTKU.
http://www.steamengine.com.au/ic/faq/index.html

Any other OLD list folks out there with better memories than mine?
Brice?  Steve?  Spencer?  Dave?  Ron?  Dolly?  Farmer?  SOMEONE must
remember the details?  Or at least have the balls to make them up as
needed?  8-))

See ya,  Arnie

PS - Dolly?  Yer not REALLY old...  8->>>

Arnie Fero
Pittsburgh, PA
fero_ah at city-net.com

On Wed, 26 Dec 2007, Alan Bowen wrote:

> I joined the SEL and Old Engine.org about a year after the great
> adventure taken by the pliers. It seems like they had already been sold
> once even.
>
> As I remember it,,,,,,,
> Farmer had misplaced these pliers and just for something to chat about
> wrote to the SEL that his pliers had come up missing.  Next thing ya
> know with all the clowns on the SEL back then folks all over the place
> were saying the pliers had been seen there.  So,  those piers finally
> showed back up at Farmer's place and a SEL legend was born.  They were
> highly sought after and went for pretty big money when first auctioned.
> Anyone that remembers more or better please add to this or correct as needed.
>
> I wish I had an accurate record for every place the pliers have been
> since the first auction.  They truly are Internationally Traveled now.
> I grabbed them away from the tractor guys so it is up to you folks to
> keep them with the engine guys.