Bolster
Well-known member
Found this ol' tool in my Dad's stash...what is it? is it a "hand vise?" What's it for?
Is this a vise? A clamp?
- Thread starter Bolster
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TireTracks
Well-known member
Could it be a work holder type of handle. lets you put something in your had so you can work on it easyer.
airbuff101
Well-known member
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It's a Hand Vise. Popular with jewelers, gunsmiths.
There were many variations over the last century or so.
airbuff
There were many variations over the last century or so.
airbuff
GrantCee
Well-known member
That is a hand vise. It's used to hold small parts at eye level so that tasks like filing, sawing, etc. which are done under magnification may be more easily accomplished.
Once commonly used by jewelers, watch/clockmakers, and similar craftspeople, they seem to have fallen out of favor over the past few decades as long-relief magnifying visors have come into vogue. I haven't used either of mine in ages; in fact, I don't even know where they are!
Yours is an unusual design; very different from any that I've used or seen. Are there any maker's marks?
Once commonly used by jewelers, watch/clockmakers, and similar craftspeople, they seem to have fallen out of favor over the past few decades as long-relief magnifying visors have come into vogue. I haven't used either of mine in ages; in fact, I don't even know where they are!
Yours is an unusual design; very different from any that I've used or seen. Are there any maker's marks?
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I always thought this one was kind of cool
http://www.harborfreight.com/universal-work-holder-65007.html
You can move the pins around so you can hold all different shapes.
http://www.harborfreight.com/universal-work-holder-65007.html
You can move the pins around so you can hold all different shapes.
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Thanks guys. No maker's marks! And believe me I looked everywhere. That makes me think it's either cheap, or old, or hand made. (Do you think it may be somebody's machine shop project?)
The jaws are just straight across; no cuts, curves, or notches of any kind.
The jaws are so shallow I can't imagine the tool being very useful...you could only get a half inch purchase on something. Although for small items that need a trip to the belt grinder, I suppose it could save some finger flesh!!
...but a pair of Vice Grips would seem to do the same thing, and probably lock on harder.
The jaws are just straight across; no cuts, curves, or notches of any kind.
The jaws are so shallow I can't imagine the tool being very useful...you could only get a half inch purchase on something. Although for small items that need a trip to the belt grinder, I suppose it could save some finger flesh!!
...but a pair of Vice Grips would seem to do the same thing, and probably lock on harder.
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GrantCee
Well-known member
The utility depends on the size of the part in question! For an auto mechanic - not so much. For a watchmaker? You bet.
My most common use was holding the body of a pocket watch or small clock hand while the opening was broached. For some older timepieces hands weren't available, so I'd find the closest match in terms of length and style. Sometimes the hole wasn't big enough, and would need to be slightly enlarged with a 5-sided broach. The hand vise was the ideal tool to hold the hand firmly in place without damage (as long as it had smooth jaws.)