odd vise

[bgarrett]

Anyone know about this weird design?


chivise1 by farmgate, on Flickr

[Lewill2]

I have seen them before but don't know anything about them. I get the impression that most of the anvil type vises and multi-function tools are better ideas then actual functioning tools.

[leg17]

And you thought that those "one size fits all" multi-tools hawked on TV for $19.99 (call in the next 2 hrs and get a second one FREE, (just pay separate shipping and handling)) was a new idea.

These might be collectible today, but they don't function like a Parker vise and they sure don't function well as an anvil.

But, as Solomon said, "nothing new under the sun".

[1930]

I like that vise very much, liked it the first time I saw it but for some reason did not comment on it. If you would like to part with it for not much more than the shipping cost I would be very happy to have it and would use it.

[john k]

I have that exact model, sort of a universal tool back when.   For its size it is pretty lightweight,  the body is hollow,  sure wouldn't want to clamp down real hard on anything.   The screw has very limited travel, so there is a pin that slides out allowing the lower beam  several inches of movement.   Some similar models have a hollow shaft in the screw allowing a drill devise to be used on what is clamped.   I have mine bolted to the far end of the bench, use it for light work.  Have seen a near twin to mine in a 1910 catalog. 

[Branson]

When John says "sort of a universal tool back then," he's not kidding.  There are a lot of variations of this, so they must have satisfied a lot of people's
needs.  To see more, do a search for "anvil/vise" and click on images.

[Bill Houghton]

It's not clear to me how it works.  What pushes the moving jaw toward the fixed jaw?

[superzstuff]

I would guess it is sort of a "quick action" vise. There is probably a lock screw on the other side that locks the slide and the jaw moves with the screw only a few inches on the slide. Jaws look like a furrier's vise.

[john k]

The screw slides the jaw back on the lower bar.  As you can see it only has about 2 inches of travel.   The lower beam has about 6 holes in it, allowing a jaw opening of about 8 inches or so at maximum.  It was one way to get around having a shorter screw.  Will see if I can post a pic.