Picked this up last weekend at a garage sale. The owner didn't know what it is and neither do I. Looks expensive, but was not.
can you take a pic or two of the lever in and out so we can see what it does? Looks like it would grab or hold something?
Looks similar to carpet stretchers or maybe a clamp for hardwood flooring.
Might be a hinge mortising tool.
Iptools---you got me going in the right direction, it is a Waller Tool Co. butt mortiser. Now, if anyone needs their butt mortised this tool might do the job. Looking closely at it I suppose it might be used on hinges, the old square type. Depending on the length of the hinge you would have to move it for a second mortise. So, what do you think it was mainly made to do? It appears to be fairly rare.
You'd sure have to be doing a lot of hinges to justify that tool.
Never used one, but I had a similar tool by Stanley. The Patent Number on yours 1603652. Stanley pretty much copied the design.The Stanley Tool Number is 280. That is quite the mechanical marvel, IMHO.
I tried it on a ash board, as set up it cut a section 1 5/8" wide about 1/4" deep and 1 1/2' into the edge of the board while scoring the edge of the cut, and then you push down on a palm lever and it cuts off the piece with a different blade. Pain in the butt to use and doesn't seem that it could be used on a door, only on the casing. Well, at least I know about it now.
A lot of gizmotic action going on in that tool.
Quote from: lptools on April 09, 2021, 01:08:16 PM
Never used one, but I had a similar tool by Stanley. The Patent Number on yours 1603652. Stanley pretty much copied the design.The Stanley Tool Number is 280. That is quite the mechanical marvel, IMHO.
I think Stanley bought Waller Tool Co. out. That is how they acquired a lot of new tools for their line.