Crank tool for what?

[superzstuff]

Got this with some early wood working tools but have no idea what it was used for. Round wooden knob turns threaded shaft in and out and crank turns piece on end. There is a 5/16" hole in end that turns but no set screw to fasten anything in hole. No makers mark or anything on it. Any ideas?

[skipskip]

spring winder?

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[amertrac]

we had one on the farm years ago we called it coil ben that could have been the mfg but I can't say for sure . The one we had  there was a cover that was hinged to cover the spring when you twisted it