A very unusual vise, with TWO handles

[mikeswrenches]

This is the only bench vise I've ever seen with two handles.  The conventional handle on the front is 11" long and the auxiliary one on the side 7".  Interestingly, they both will open and close the front jaw.  Weight is 63 1/2 lbs.

The length is about 15" and the heighth is 7 in. to the top of the jaws.  The maximum opening is 7 inches and the jaws are 4 1/4" wide.  The jaws are made of 3/4" steel plate, which is unusual in itself.  The rear jaw is bolted to the main casting so it could be replaced or reconfigured if necessary.

Unfortunately there are no marks to identity the maker.  The only thing I found was a small stamping on the top casting on the seat where the ball type thrust bearing seats.  There is a picture below of the mark.

This had to be a very expensive vise to make so you would expect to find a name or patent no. somewhere...unfortunately there is nothing.
Anybody have any ideas on the maker, or have you seen one like it?

I took this all apart to see how it worked and in another thread will post those pictures and an explanation.

Mike

[JoeCB]

Very nice ! I'm guessing that the side handle is a "rapid travel" to open or close the jaw. The front handle is the "Clamp" to tighten the jaw on the work.

Joe B

[Twilight Fenrir]

That's a pretty awesome vise! Gotta admit, I'm a bit jealous :P

[mikeswrenches]

Joe, It does move somewhat faster using the "side" handle but not enough so to call it "rapid travel".

However, if you were holding something with your left hand, it would be much easier to close the jaws on the part by using the side handle and then use the front one for final tightening.

Mike

[eddie hudson]

The mark reminds me of a tulip.

[mikeswrenches]

Eddie, I thought the same thing.  Unfortunately, it doesn't mean anything to me.

Mike

[turnnut]

it looks like worn letters on the left of the ? tulip mark.  like an X

didn't we have that mark before ?

[mikeswrenches]

No other marks.  Just the "tulip".

Mike

[wrenchguy]

Nice, real nice.  Maybe u could post here, the vise thread of the internet, over a 1000 pages, 21,000 replies and many vice experts. 

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782