C W Burfle posted:So, was the round bar separate? Or was it part of the tool? I've never seen one.
As I recall, the round bar and the blades that formed the crimp were one tool, with the blades sticking out from the sides of the bar like wings. I doubt the tool set was anything from the Lionel factory. It was probably a custom tool.
I should have captured the photos from that EBay listing. Unfortunately, I did not.
I had Carl at Hobby Horse make a custom tool for me for in-situ side plate crimping, but it was simple, and straightforward and not expensive. That tool sounds complicated and expensive to make! Like to see a pic, but I don't think I would have one made without a significant need, like building 1,000 brush plate assemblies 
