Help identifying this little drill press (?) vise

[txlonghorn1989]

I posted this on the vises thread week before last but I guess little drill press (assuming it's a drill press vise) vises pale in comparison to the big boys. No one came forward with any info on the vise. I'm hoping someone knows who made it, country of origin and maybe a period when it was made. The arms both have "Pat Apl'd For" stamped in a circular pattern which makes me think it might be US made. Any info would be much appreciated guys!

 

[txlonghorn1989]

One more pic from a different angle...

 

[NC Rick]

I don’t know, but I’m going to guess: I would say that it is a special jig from a production line. It looks like the static jaw flips around to hold some very specific sized items. Likely used on a gang head drill press.

Cute!

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I don’t know, but I’m going to guess: I would say that it is a special jig from a production line. It looks like the static jaw flips around to hold some very specific sized items. Likely used on a gang head drill press.

Cute!

NCR Yes the static jaw or rather since both jaws are moveable the less static jaw, does flip. What exactly does "special jig from a production line" mean?

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Well, sorry for so many pics but I'd cleaned the vise up a tad last weekend and it was bothering me that I'd been too lazy to take some new pics with this thread. Went out and took a few. It is a cool little vise. About 1-1/2" wide by 8-1/2" long with a big *** knob that adds to the appeal. I'd probably buy them all day at the $3 this one set me back.

Still hoping someone recognizes it...

 

[Danglerb]

NCR Yes the static jaw or rather since both jaws are moveable the less static jaw, does flip. What exactly does "special jig from a production line" mean?

Some factory making a whole bunch of same part made a vise to hold that specific part in a certain orientation to make the process faster and with less variation. It doesn't take that much of a production run to make a jig practical.

 

[6PTsocket]

That is a really cool little vise. At 3 bucks it was a steal.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Some factory making a whole bunch of same part made a vise to hold that specific part in a certain orientation to make the process faster and with less variation. It doesn't take that much of a production run to make a jig practical.

Okay. That's what I thought was meant but how to explain the "Pat. Apl'd For" on the arms? The maker thought others might find the vise useful and might be able to make some money selling it applied for a patent? Possible but I'm skeptical.

Still hoping someone at GJ recognizes the vise...

 

[NC Rick]

I said it was a guess. If I was making those, I would supply them with blank jaws and let the people using them machine in their own stuff. If it only had the “v” notches I would have thought it more a universal tool and one I could see using. The rectangular relief in the one Jaw face isn’t something I can figure out. Someone may come along and tell you who made it and why.

Such a narrow drill press vise isn’t something that seems great for general use. Also the mounting flange obstructed by the handle isn’t suggestive of a handy general purpose vise. The vise construction is good quality but obviously for small parts and forces.

I don’t have your answers, just a guess which I believe is reasonable.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I said it was a guess. If I was making those, I would supply them with blank jaws and let the people using them machine in their own stuff. If it only had the “v” notches I would have thought it more a universal tool and one I could see using. The rectangular relief in the one Jaw face isn’t something I can figure out. Someone may come along and tell you who made it and why.

Such a narrow drill press vise isn’t something that seems great for general use. Also the mounting flange obstructed by the handle isn’t suggestive of a handy general purpose vise. The vise construction is good quality but obviously for small parts and forces.

I don’t have your answers, just a guess which I believe is reasonable.

NCR I didn't miss to disrespect your opinion on the vise. Sorry for coming across like that. Even without knowing your background and knowing my own I defer to your judgement. Thanks for the feedback.

Fingers crossed that someone will come along and identify it...

 

[NC Rick]

NCR I didn't miss to disrespect your opinion on the vise. Sorry for coming across like that. Even without knowing your background and knowing my own I defer to your judgement. Thanks for the feedback.

Fingers crossed that someone will come along and identify it...

I did t feel “disrespected”. I’m quite interested in the vise, I’m as curious as you.

 

[Danglerb]

Adding to my guess a few curious points;

The design is wonky. The jaw on the swing arms is neither strong nor stable, and why is it only supported by the swing arm pins vs some kind of solid mounting to the base?

The pieces look like they don't belong together, heavy cast base, maybe iron, swing arms stamped steel, jaws machined steel, bolt threads worn perhaps from loads heavier than originally designed for, but it has a small knob on the end instead of a typical vise with a bar that much more force could be applied with.

Whats the purpose of the set screw?

I don't notice any signs that the base mounting tabs were bolted down.

 

[NC Rick]

I’m fairly certain that the set screw runs tangent to the main screw en and is what retains it in the dynamic jaw. I would expect the stamped “arms” to be removable.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I’m fairly certain that the set screw runs tangent to the main screw en and is what retains it in the dynamic jaw. I would expect the stamped “arms” to be removable.

NCR I figured that set screw served the same purpose you propose but didn't want to take it out to see. I'll take a look later and see if the arms are removeable. Nothing as I recall made me think that but I definitely didn't look closely at them with that in mind.

Db Agree it doesn't appear to have ever been bolted down. Given the weak stamped steel arms it makes sense with the knob which wouldn't really allow one to over torque the jaws. Hypothetically. The vise bolt really doesn't have much wear but it does have some slightly damaged threads that appear to be from tossing the vise around against other steel parts. Fyi, it is a cast iron base which is cool for such a small. Thanks for chiming in.

All If the arms were removeable how would you be able to use it as a vise without a static jaw? I'm not envisioning how/why they'd be removeable.

 

[larry_g]

Those arms will provide downforce just like a Kurt angle loc vise as long as the stationary jaw is loaded top and bottom. I could see this being used on a small Barker or Burke mill in a production situation.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Bump...still hoping the right eyes on this vise might recognize it.