Info on a “BAMA” vise?

[Hughlysses]

So, this weekend I found an old vise in a storage bin that I’d found years ago in an out-building at our previous home. “BAMA” is cast in raised letters on the moving jaw and 7 4 3” is stamped in the handle end of the screw.

It’s built more like a woodworking vice than a typical bench or machinist’s vise, but it has removable smooth jaws. I’ve posted pics to Instagram; search for #bamavise if you’d like to see them.

I found another guy with an identical vise on Instagram; he’s looking for info as well. Any help on the maker, age, etc.would be appreciated.

 

[RTM]

I am going to say not woodworking due to the inverted mounting holes. Both yours and the other guy's have the holes oriented to mount down to something, instead of up under a bench. Wondering if it might fit into a horizontal bandsaw or some other device. Guessing European too, but nothing to base that on yet.

This would be a lot easier if it weren't for some football team (who lost Sat and made lots of news headlines) and an ex-President, and an European sock manufacturer.

 

[Packard V8]

No mystery to it if you ask the right person.

Back in the '60s, the University of Alabama Engineering School had a course in manual machining, designed to give undergraduate engineering students some idea of how industrial machine shops worked and how things were made.

The project to take students through operating a shaper, a mill, a lathe, a drill press, et al , was to make a small vise. The moveable jaw casting has the word "BAMA" in raised letters.

jack vines, UofA Class of '68, who still has his BAMA vise and some of the vices.

 

[Hughlysses]

Sweet! Thanks for the info.

 

[Leviton]

No mystery to it if you ask the right person.

Back in the '60s, the University of Alabama Engineering School had a course in manual machining, designed to give undergraduate engineering students some idea of how industrial machine shops worked and how things were made.

The project to take students through operating a shaper, a mill, a lathe, a drill press, et al , was to make a small vise. The moveable jaw casting has the word "BAMA" in raised letters.

jack vines, UofA Class of '68, who still has his BAMA vise and some of the vices.

Hey, that's a great story. Thanks for sharing!

I'd like to see yours if you have photos.

 

[RTM]

University of Alabama Engineering School had a course in manual machining, designed to give undergraduate engineering students some idea of how industrial machine shops worked and how things were made.

Dang, great to know. I discounted that angle when searching due to the vise not being painted in crimson. How did they get away with black?