Odd Vise

[gdwtvb]

I decided to move an old table that came with my old house out of the basement. (House built in 1919) Attached to the table is some type of vise thing that I am unfamiliar with. I know that at one time the previous owners did canning in the basement, so it may have been used for that. It is possible that there was a workshop in the basmement as well and this was the workbench. I partially disassembled the vise in order to move the table, and saw no writing or label on the contraption. It appears to have originally had a bar handle that is now missing. It opened to approximately 10 inches or so before it came apart. Two flat steel plates, 2 steel round aligning bars, and one large square threaded piece to pull it together and push it apart.

My questions:
What is it called?
What is/was it used for?
Is there a market for this thing or should I keep it as a curiousity? (I moved the table, 60"W X 21"D X 34"H,into my study to be repurposed as a seed starting table. Currently the 'vise' is still atached.)







Thanks for any insight,
Grizz

 

[Garcky]

It's a woodworking bench vise. Normally, it would have wooden jaws attached to the two faces. There were a variety of handle types use on them. I don't recognize the maker from its appearance. Are there any words on it anywhere?

Does it have any value? Yes. How much? Can't say. Depends on many factors. Don't toss it, though. Someone will want it enough to pay you something for it. It needs some restoration, and a little research to determine the maker and to figure out what sort of handle to put on it. It looks like a very sturdy one, for sure.

 

[gdwtvb]

It's a woodworking bench vise. Normally, it would have wooden jaws attached to the two faces. There were a variety of handle types use on them. I don't recognize the maker from its appearance. Are there any words on it anywhere?

I don't see any markings but they could be on the hidden backside where it is bolted to the table. I'm curious so I'll probably remove it next weekend and see what I can find. At least now I know what it is so I can research further. Thanks.

Grizz

 

[RTM]

So, silly question, what part of the world are you in, don’t see it in your profile? There are some regional vise / vice makers, so wanna make sure we consider that. The thin metal front piece with the swoosh shape is unique to my knowledge base.

 

[Roberts210]

Typically these used a wooden dowel as a handle.

 

[gdwtvb]

So, silly question, what part of the world are you in, don’t see it in your profile? There are some regional vise / vice makers, so wanna make sure we consider that. The thin metal front piece with the swoosh shape is unique to my knowledge base.

Sorry, I hadn't filled out my account info fully, I'm in Dunkirk NY, Western NY on Lake Erie. After Garky informed me it was a woodworking vise, I went googling, but couldn't find a match either. I don't see a way to attach wood to the faces, and it appears that the faces aren't completely parallel when closed. (See picture)

 

[gdwtvb]

sorry my picture isn't uploading. When the vise is fully closed there is about 1/2 centimeter gap at the top while the bases of the pates are touching. I'm not sure if this is by design or wear.

Grizz

 

[Dozerhand]

I'd grease up the screw, make a handle for it and run it as is. A vise can come in handy even on a gardening table.

 

[thehorse13]

There is a market for woodworking vises but you're not going to retire off the sale proceeds. It's worth far more as a tool in your new seed operation than the 25 bucks you'll get for it on Craigslist.

 

[gdwtvb]

There is a market for woodworking vises but you're not going to retire off the sale proceeds. It's worth far more as a tool in your new seed operation than the 25 bucks you'll get for it on Craigslist.

That's exactly the information I was looking for, Thank you. Once upon a time I accumulated pocketknives. Once I decided to get rid of most of my collection, I discovered that below a certain value, the knives weren't worth the time and aggravation to sell. If the vise was a highly collectible in demand item worth over a couple hundred dollars, it would have been worthwhile to remove, clean, and sell it. I'll still remove it and see if there is any markings. But I'll just give it a cursory cleaning and lube, remount it, and find something that will work for the handle in one of the garages.

Grizz