The NOS Studebaker hydraulic vise project

[Packard V8]

Recently, I had the unbelievable opportunity to buy a couple of the rarest of all vises, the Studebaker hydraulic vise, and they're NOS!

These vises were originally equipped with a three-pedal-foot-operated system for rapid travel close, clamping/hold and release. For whatever reason, the actuating pedal system was not available, so I'm working in two different directions to get juice pressure.

jack vines

 

[Packard V8]

Needing a hydraulic system, I put the word out to my guy network and a scrapper came through with a fantastic electro-hydraulic pump.

It's really going to hurt to part out this 1950s Multigraph Paper Cutter.

The thing is solid cast iron and built like a tank; probably in a post-WWII tank factory. It weighs at least 150# and is constructed to military specs. I know the whys, but hurts that we no longer build what we use here in the US.

The hydraulic system has a GE 10,000 RPM brush-type motor and integral pump.

When I pulled it off the scrapper's truck and plugged it in, it worked flawlessly. Why would someone throw it in the scrap bin?

I'm conflicted about parting out such a high quality machine, but it's got exactly the hydraulic system and limit switches I need to build the actuating system for the Studebaker vise and the industrial units I've priced are $650.

I'm going to find some use for that cast iron table and fence.

jack vines

 

[deepnhock]

Jack,
Were there any spec's or instructions that came with the vice?
My reason for asking is that I have an old one, and took it apart to clean and lube it.
The piston seal looked like it was fairly low pressure.
Would hate to see the electro/hydraulic unit blow out the packing.
Jeff

Needing a hydraulic system, I put the word out to my guy network and a scrapper came through with a fantastic electro-hydraulic pump.

It's really going to hurt to part out this 1950s Multigraph Paper Cutter.

The thing is solid cast iron and built like a tank; probably in a post-WWII tank factory. It weighs at least 150# and is constructed to military specs. I know the whys, but hurts that we no longer build what we use here in the US.

The hydraulic system has a GE 10,000 RPM brush-type motor and integral pump.

When I pulled it off the scrapper's truck and plugged it in, it worked flawlessly. Why would someone throw it in the scrap bin?

I'm conflicted about parting out such a high quality machine, but it's got exactly the hydraulic system and limit switches I need to build the actuating system for the Studebaker vise and the industrial units I've priced are $650.

I'm going to find some use for that cast iron table and fence.

jack vines

 

[woody 73]

Sad it seems a shame to scrap one great tool for another but I guess you are between a rock and a hard place.

Are you not able to find any other pump before you scrap out the one good pump?

 

[Packard V8]

Jack,
Were there any spec's or instructions that came with the vice?
My reason for asking is that I have an old one, and took it apart to clean and lube it.
The piston seal looked like it was fairly low pressure.
Would hate to see the electro/hydraulic unit blow out the packing.
Jeff

Jeff, agree, care is required, but there were zero instructions and the company is long gone. I'm going to put a gauge in the line so I can monitor how much pressure and use the momentary-on pushbutton switch with which the paper cutter is operated.

I've also got a foot operated electrical switch which could be wired in parallel for those times when a heavy workpiece requires both hands to position while the vise is closing.

FWIW, I've also found a foot-operated Greenlee hydraulic pump which I plan to use on the second vise. It's supposedly an 11-ton unit.

jack vines

jack vines

 

[Packard V8]

Sad it seems a shame to scrap one great tool for another but I guess you are between a rock and a hard place.

Are you not able to find any other pump before you scrap out the one good pump?

Hi, Woody,

Nope, I looked for three months to find this one. Small hydraulic pumps are not common used and killer expensive to buy new.

And what would I do with a paper cutter? If I cleaned it up and put it on craigslist, it might bring $50, but the hydraulics are worth much more for this project

jack vines

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Neat find.. Is there any backstory on this vise's history, where did I come from, where was it made, etc. Is it related to the Studebaker Corp. and the other famous connections like STP, Onan, Clarke Floor Finishing, Paxton, Gravely, etc?

 

[Packard V8]

Probably owned by some of the extended family, but never part of the Studebaker-Packard Corporation.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Probably owned by some of the extended family, but never part of the Studebaker-Packard Corporation.

Interesting... My dad has a Studebaker C Clamp (I was born/raised in South Bend, and the auction he obtained it at for $1 was in South Bend).. Not sure it its part of this particular tool maker or part of Studebaker Corp..

I'll have to get a picture of it and post here as well....

 

[neophyte]

I don't know what you paid for the vises but I'll still say you ****.

 

[bigredmf]

I would put the complete paper cutter on eBay with a reserve enough to cover a new HPU

If you did not mind air powered you can purchase a good unit for much less than 650 and I am sure I can supply a electric for less.

Red


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[Stuart in MN]

A couple people here have Studebaker vises. They weren't related to the Studebaker car company.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=213115&highlight=studebaker
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108204&highlight=studebaker
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116268&highlight=studebaker
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146273&highlight=studebaker

 

[Packard V8]

I would put the complete paper cutter on eBay with a reserve enough to cover a new HPU

If you did not mind air powered you can purchase a good unit for much less than 650 and I am sure I can supply a electric for less. Red

The paper cutter cleaned up might bring $200 max on eBay and I'd have to crate it for shipping, but it would be nice to see it stay alive.

I've tried the air powered units which start at around $450 and found them to be very noisy and very slow. They don't move much volume.

I'd appreciate a PM with what you could do with an electric unit. Those I've found start at $650 and are mostly larger than needed for this application.

jack vines

 

[va.grouseman]

Super nice find.---Are the two eye-bolts for attaching return springs?

 

[1930artdeco]

Just curious, but what does one use a hydraulic vise for?

Mike

 

[Kevin54]

Just curious, but what does one use a hydraulic vise for?

Mike

They are super handy if your hands are full and trying to line something up either to a line, or top press in a pin for example. I know that I could have used one hundreds of times. Another good example is trying to press out a U-Joint in a driveshaft using a socket. You can hold things with both hands while the hydraulic unit does it's job. Basically it is a third hand.

 

[Rileysan]

Interesting find. I'm not sure if you noticed, but after looking through the other threads, I see two different company names cast on these.

The front of yours says: "Studebaker Hydraulic Prod Co" which is similar to the name on the side of Kjbakke2's Vise which says"

"Studebaker Hyd Products co"

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=213115&highlight=studebaker

However, Brad54's (whose vise is painted a different color and appears older) says: "Studebaker Machine Co Chicago Ill"
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108204&highlight=studebaker


I have a question - are you sure this is NOS and has never been in service? It appears to have been taken apart and put back together with newer grade 0 bolts in places.

Brian

 

[Bobioz1]

Would an Electro/hydraulic pump from a snow plow work? Cheap used.

 

[Packard V8]

Interesting find. I'm not sure if you noticed, but after looking through the other threads, I see two different company names cast on these.

The front of yours says: "Studebaker Hydraulic Prod Co" which is similar to the name on the side of Kjbakke2's Vise which says"

"Studebaker Hyd Products co"

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=213115&highlight=studebaker

However, Brad54's (whose vise is painted a different color and appears older) says: "Studebaker Machine Co Chicago Ill"
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108204&highlight=studebaker


I have a question - are you sure this is NOS and has never been in service? It appears to have been taken apart and put back together with newer grade 0 bolts in places.

Brian

Positive it's NOS. It came from the estate of an employee of the plant. He ended up with six or so of the vises, but none of the foot pedal/pump units.

Super nice find.---Are the two eye-bolts for attaching return springs?

Yes

Would an Electro/hydraulic pump from a snow plow work? Cheap used.

Maybe. IIRC, they're 12-volt, but that's not necessarily a deal-breaker.

jack vines

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Off the wall idea, would the hydraulic paper cutter work to cut Aluminium? Perhaps you could work out a way to share the pump between the vise and the paper cutter?

 

[Fretters]

Would an Electro/hydraulic pump from a snow plow work? Cheap used.

Tipper van/truck pump unit would be another one to search for. I'd definitely be having a delve at a vehicle scrappers first off.

 

[Fretters]

Off the wall idea, would the hydraulic paper cutter work to cut Aluminium? Perhaps you could work out a way to share the pump between the vise and the paper cutter?

That'd be handy if it would. If it's running from a hydraulic pump, there obviously must be a fair bit of oomph behind that cutter.

 

[Packard V8]

That'd be handy if it would. If it's running from a hydraulic pump, there obviously must be a fair bit of oomph behind that cutter.

The paper cutter would cut aluminum, but the blade would dull quickly.

It could be made into a miter cutter for a frame shop, but it takes up a lot of bench space, so unless it's going to be used regularly, it wouldn't earn the room.

jack vines

 

[PugetDude]

Jack,
Many years ago, I made a really cheap Hydraulic Power Unit using an old Ford power steering pump. It already has a small reservoir (that may or may not be big enough) Used a simple log splitter valve with center detent. For your application you could drive it with a fractional HP AC motor.- you don't need a lot of pressure or flow.

That is, if you're still working on this....

Best,
PD

 

[2oolhound]

I'll try to dig out some old photos of my Triumph paper cutter which was just a bit smaller. It was manual with about a 30" long cutting arm to activate the blade. As I recall the blade does not pass along side a lower blade but butts into what is called a "stick" which is a plastic type 1'2" x 1/2" stick running the length of the blade sitting tightly in a trough at the bottom. The paper is squeezed against the stick and the blade has a slight lateral movement as it comes down onto the middle of the stick in the trough. I can't see the pump being too powerful for the vise, hopefully it has enough power to reach the potential of the vise.

And yes, you **** unless you paid new prices for them.

 

[Bobioz1]

Saw one of these today. Had the pedal unit and it was functional. Local used tool seller wants $350 for it. Probably a soft price. Pm if interested.

 

[Bobioz1]

Pedals

 

[Bobioz1]

Custom table?

 

[Roberts210]

What about using an automotive convertible top pump? They pump up some pretty respectable pressures. They run on 12V, but you could rig up a converter. And they pump in both directions. You can probably get something late model out of a salvage yard for pretty cheap and save the paper cutter.

 

[Packard V8]

save the paper cutter.

I advertised it on craigslist and got no interest, so it's maybe not anything an office wants anymore.

jack vines

 

[Manitoba Man]

Well that is too cool and a great find. A new hydraulic vise would set you back a bunch. I saw one at a trade show and it looked great but too spendy for me.


Bob B.

 

[2oolhound]

I advertised it on craigslist and got no interest, so it's maybe not anything an office wants anymore.

jack vines

I had some friends that asked me to watch for one so I bought the Triumph when I saw it. Friends didn't want it so I tried to sell it locally and did a lot of advertising and leg work to the local print shops. Every one already had theirs so I finally posted it on ebay but what I did (and why I was hoping to find my old photos) was I took an old phone book a covered the top with crisp new $20.00 bills so the phone book looked like a ream of $20's. I arranged it so it looked like the reams were freshly cut. Then in photophop I duplicated the reams of $20's and changed the sizes and perspectives creating a mound of fresh stacks in the background. My description read something like "this paper cutter will pay for itself in no time …bla bla bla". I got good money for it although it was a challenge to ship.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Interesting... My dad has a Studebaker C Clamp (I was born/raised in South Bend, and the auction he obtained it at for $1 was in South Bend).. Not sure it its part of this particular tool maker or part of Studebaker Corp..

I'll have to get a picture of it and post here as well....

I know this is an old thread but thought I'd bump it with a picture of the elusive Studebaker C Clamp. I started a thread here: but it died after a couple of hits.. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5487384#post5487384.

Any ideas where it might have come from? Made by Studebaker Machine / Vise Co?? or ??

Thanks..

View media item 57672

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Wonder what "Stud" Baker's middle name was?? Elmer, Ernest, Eli, ??




Those old tools make interesting conversation pieces..

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Lol..Interesting thing about the cast-in name.. the S is a bit larger than the rest of the letters.. and its pretty clear that the individual letters were applied one at a time on that pattern tag. I've applied pattern letters like that and is a pain in the rear to get them right...