Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: humber2 on June 04, 2014, 03:35:09 AM

Title: M&W PAT 8 INCH LOCK ???
Post by: humber2 on June 04, 2014, 03:35:09 AM
What's the go on this clamp?

https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/319007388.jpg
Title: Re: M&W PAT 8 INCH LOCK ???
Post by: Papaw on June 04, 2014, 05:27:30 AM
No clue here.
Title: Re: M&W PAT 8 INCH LOCK ???
Post by: mikeswrenches on June 04, 2014, 07:25:51 AM
I hope somebody finds out.  I got one of these in an auction box lot last year.  Have no idea what it's for or what it's worth.

Mike
Title: Re: M&W PAT 8 INCH LOCK ???
Post by: Lostmind on June 04, 2014, 09:08:04 AM
Weird piece , would like to know how and why also.
Title: Re: M&W PAT 8 INCH LOCK ???
Post by: Chillylulu on June 04, 2014, 02:53:46 PM
If you pinch those two tapered legs together,  does it let the screw move freely?
Title: Re: M&W PAT 8 INCH LOCK ???
Post by: Nolatoolguy on June 04, 2014, 05:45:48 PM
Very interesting, I have no idea what its for. I hope someone here knows.
Title: Re: M&W PAT 8 INCH LOCK ???
Post by: rusty on June 04, 2014, 09:12:31 PM
Keeps all the letters from falling out onto the floor when you put them in the printing press...
 
Title: Re: M&W PAT 8 INCH LOCK ???
Post by: Branson on June 05, 2014, 07:48:37 AM
Keeps all the letters from falling out onto the floor when you put them in the printing press...

Sounds right.  I have an easier time thinking of the thing spreading than clamping.  I was thinking of those "cute" little bottle jack looking things used by machinists.
Title: Re: M&W PAT 8 INCH LOCK ???
Post by: Billman49 on June 07, 2014, 04:31:14 AM
I thought of both those possible responses, but it looks too big to be a typeface locking clamp, and too roughly made to be a machinist's screw jack - I reckon the answer's still out there somewhere...

I guess if this one is an 8" lock(ing clamp), there may be other sizes out there as well..... bigger and/or smaller???

The tapered nut arrangement looks like some sort of quick release adjustment, to allow rapid insertion without having to fully wind out the screw - I think we need to look at something that needs to be 'locked' in place, e.g. holding some workpiece on a machine, or maybe locking up a machine (steam engine??) while it is being worked on....

Apart from these few 'gems of wisdom' (????) I've no idea.....
Title: Re: M&W PAT 8 INCH LOCK ???
Post by: rusty on June 07, 2014, 09:39:11 AM
http://www.briarpress.org/23442
Title: Re: M&W PAT 8 INCH LOCK ???
Post by: Lewill2 on June 07, 2014, 10:25:43 AM
Rusty, you pull through again. Great research!
Title: Re: M&W PAT 8 INCH LOCK ???
Post by: Billman49 on June 08, 2014, 03:48:39 AM
Well done indeed, a couple of sentences from the link stick out, as they seem to contradict each other a little...

Freewheel Out, Ratchet In, and locked with Pin Bar or Thumb Screw. Only ever used flat, and occasionally, and never intended for sustained and pressure use

Their one fault is that they will automatically release if tightened too much! You can be putting the final squeeze on them and POP! No damage to them other than they release the tension

Not to tweak the odd last, 1, 2, or 3 point on lock up, because if normal height quoins, can destroy even the BEST MONO-TRYPE strip material, what will 3 em (ish) high speed quoins DO.??


(http://www.briarpress.org/?q=system/files/949 MW Locks.JPG)

Copied the image link for ease of reference...

Looks they were available from 1 1/2" through to 5" (maybe higher, if the 8" is correct) and mainly used on flat bed or proofing presses - the illustration appear to be holding a litho stone in place, but the quality of the image is not good enough to be sure...

Question?? Are the tapered nut jaws spring loaded?? Can the lower ends be pinched together to allow rapid insertion, and is this why they may 'pop' out under pressure???
Title: Re: M&W PAT 8 INCH LOCK ???
Post by: humber2 on June 08, 2014, 02:12:06 PM
Thank-you Rusty. Once again my question has been asked at the right place.