What is it?

[IndyGarage]

I bought this thing in a box of miscillaneous tools I picked up on Craigslist.


The box had a few large old C-clamps(which is what I wanted) a bunch of junk, some ratchet straps (gravy) and this thing, which I have no idea what it is.

It has a screw press and two different star shaped cutting knives or imprint devices.

I saw it in a blurry photograph and thought it was a hand tapper.

What do you think it is: Some kind of imprint device? A medieval torture device? a nutcracker? Apple slicer?

I have no idea what it is...

 

[WWIIjeep]

Vulcanizing tire patch clamp.

 

[IndyGarage]

Vulcanizing tire patch clamp.

OK, that makes sense - I did a search on JW speaker corporation and apparently they made tire repair equipment.

How does it work? Is it still useful or is it junk?

 

[WanderingSol]

If you need to patch innertubes you have the tool! It is pretty much a swell decoration nowadays.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Vulcanizing patch...this was a rubber patch of some sort of special rubber stuck the the underside of a tiny steel tray full of a flammable substance. Once your inner tube hole was located and cleaned, the rubber side of the patch was placed in position over the hole and clamped down hard by the tool you have. The burning compound in the little tin pan was set alight, then as it burned out everything was left to cool down while the smoke cleared. When properly done the resulting patch was the strongest part of the tube, on there solidly forever. The little pan was thrown out on the ground around the filling station, where little kids would find them and hurl them into oblivion out back.
Your tube is a large and magnificent example from a busy repair shop...these also came as little cheap tool-box sized versions for use by motorists at the side of the road, back when people FIXED a flat.

 

[IndyGarage]

Thanks guys - I guess this is a tool I didn't even know I needed...

 

[Pumpman1968]

Hardware from a chastity belt. Give it a good wiff!