Please ID Niagra sheet metal equipment/tool

[Lump]

Hi, gang. I posted this first on the 2015 Garage Sale thread, but no definite ID on it yet. So I'm hoping one of you can help me.

It is a Niagra brand folder or notcher of some kind. I found it rusting on the floor in the corner of an estate sale. I assumed it was a brake, and asked how much. When the seller said $20, I paid for it instantly. But later when I loaded it in my truck, I saw that instead of one folding leaf joint, it seems to have THREE. Hmmm, what IS this thing?

 

[Lump]

I was a journeyman sheet metal worker a LONG time ago, and developed respect and appreciation for old Niagra brand tin making tools. But I never saw anything like this one.

Notice that instead of one "axle" on each end for a folding leaf, this thing seems to have 3 on each end.

 

[Lump]

Here is a view of the other end:

 

[Lump]

In the middle of the bed in front, it has raised letters identifying it as Niagra, with a dial indicator which must set the degrees for any fold you intend to make. At least that's what I assume by looking at it.

 

[Lump]

Here is a photo of the bottom side of that area where the dial indicator is on top. This view shows the mechanism which moves that indicator-pointer. The rectangle of steel at the very top of this photo is shown in the previous photo at the BOTTOM of the photo. It looks like a piece of steel bar stock, which seems to float in place.

 

[Advan]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146123

 

[Lump]

Advan, YOU'RE RIGHT! Thanks.

On the "2015 Garage Sale" thread, Outlaw had suggested it might be a bar folder, so after posting this I went to Youtube, and typed in "sheet metal bar folder" and saw 3 videos on using a bar folder. Then I came back, and you had ID'ed for me. Thanks!

Here is a link to the video:

And kudos to Outlaw also.

Looks like I made a pretty good $20 investment.

 

[iajonesy]

Hey, Lump, that is a great tool to have. As the video shows, you can do many types of bending and with the multiple adjustments you can fold a wide variety of thicknesses and radii. You will make your $20 back in time savings alone.

That deserves a YOU ****.

Mike

 

[Lump]

Thanks, Mike.

I've been oiling the stuck joints with PB Blaster for several days, and finally got most of them freed up. And you know, I am still wondering about this one of mine. It SEEMS to have more moving parts than the one in the video. Here are more photos: