Question on jeweler's vise

[Bill Houghton]

I own a jeweler's hand vise similar to this one:


The handle is drilled through its length, and the foot of the handle has what looks like a barb to accept flexible tubing (as the pictured vise does).  What is this for?  Do you run inert gasses through its for certain procedures or something?

Confession: when I bought this at some yard sale or other, I thought maybe it was a roach clip for stoners who liked traditional hand tools.  But I realized i wouldn't work well for that purpose.  Not that I'm experienced with these things.

[mikeswrenches]

Bill, Most, maybe all, jeweler's hand vises are made with a hole thru the handle so that the long wires that they sometimes use could be accommodated.  The "barb" is just decoration.

Mike

[Bill Houghton]

Thanks, Mike.  That makes way more sense than my speculations.

[Lewill2]

If you see Papaws "It's a long story" post he pictures one with a wood handled awl that fits the end of the pin vise.

[Papaw]

This one. The hole in the end accomodates a wooden handle.



One of these is probably the correct handle-

[Branson]

I haven't seen one with  a handle.  My impression has been that these weren't handled, though some similar vises are.

[Papaw]

I haven't seen one with a handle, but one was on Ebay recently-

[Chillylulu]

I kind of think that handle was added.

Jewelers vices usually can be put in another vise for holding. If they were going to hold it in their hand it would be quicker to grab a pair of pliers.

Why is it a pair of pliers?
There is only one tool.

Chilly

[rusty]

>There is only one tool.
Everything is a hammer...