What is this?

[install4you]

Hi. Total Nubie here. I'll post intro later but I hoped someone might recognize this tool.

It has a screw clamp for attaching to edge of work table/bench. When attached, it pivots perpendicular to edge of bench. The jaws are about 9" across & only open about 0.25" & close with a lever. There is no adjustment except the tilt. It was originally an industrial gray. There are casting marks & no signs of impact use. The only wear point is where the locking lever contacts the bottom of the jaw that moves. I haven't found any identifying marks at all.
This was in my Dad's tools. Can't be sure, but most of his old tools came from his grandfather who emigrated about 1900. A lot of those tools came from a big work box Grampa bought from a carpenter's widow c1920.
I think this is a specialty clamp or vice. It may not relate to any kind of general workshop. My G-Grampa was a tailor by trade in "the old country." Maybe it is a clamp for fabric while making clothes.
I'll appreciate any ideas. On the future I may have many more questions about tools from Grampa's tool box (wood, +/- 30"X30"X40", with iron wheels & hand banded with iron strip around the top).
Thanks, Eddie

 

[Leviton]

Saw vise.

 

[Beerhippie]

Vise for hand-filing hand saws.

I actually find a fair number of uses for mine--not including saw filing.

 

[RTM]

Saw vise.

Options for brands include Stearns, Disston etc, can find them in the international tool catalog library. Most variety around 1925-35

 

[PCustoms]

Saw vise.

Not very useful without the saw set

 

[install4you]

GREAT RESPONSE & INFO!!!
I know there's a tool in the work box for setting the teeth. What kind of file? I'm sure there was at least one. Maybe my dad used it (them) up for other purposes.

BTW, if you're interested, the tools in the box included a Stanley #113 circular plane, lots of moulding planes, hand saws, a small lathe & cutting tools, & lots more. It will take me a while to get to it as I clean up a priceless lifetime collection of tools, left over materials, other people's left over materials, abandoned left over materials, salvaged materials...I think there's a theme developing here. When I was in my self employed business I could justify my 800 sqft of mini warehouse space. Now that I've been retired a few years, I'm just a common hoarder, albeit away from the house. Whatever you read between the lines is probably true.
Thanks to all. Looks like a fun forum. I look forward to participating when I'm not under observation.

 

[install4you]

Does anyone know what this is?

 

[Beerhippie]

Ball crusher.

 

[install4you]

See across bottom.
I don't want to run into that squirrel!

 

[Beerhippie]

See across bottom.
I don't want to run into that squirrel!

Do. Not. Arm. The Squirrels!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Squirrel Nut Cracker would be a great name for a cover band doing 90s hits "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)", "Low", "Get Off This", and "Euro-Trash Girl" in a bluesy, jazzy, klezmer swing style.

 

[PCustoms]

Squirrel Nut Cracker would be a great name for a cover band doing 90s hits "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)", "Low", "Get Off This", and "Euro-Trash Girl" in a bluesy, jazzy, klezmer swing style.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That is, indeed, one half of the portmanteau allusion. The other half...

..

 

[RTM]

Nut cracker, museum quality, missed the squirrel reference above, but add HELL to the catchy tracks while driving list.

Kelling-Karel Co. / Kelling Nut Co., est. 1906 - Made-in-Chicago Museum

A history of the Kelling-Karel Co., aka Kelling Nut Company; part of the Made In Chicago Museum's archive of notable 20th century Chicago manufacturers.

www.madeinchicagomuseum.com

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Nut cracker, museum quality, missed the squirrel reference above, but add HELL to the catchy tracks while driving list.

Kelling-Karel Co. / Kelling Nut Co., est. 1906 - Made-in-Chicago Museum

A history of the Kelling-Karel Co., aka Kelling Nut Company; part of the Made In Chicago Museum's archive of notable 20th century Chicago manufacturers.

www.madeinchicagomuseum.com

Great read. Thanks.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Saw vise.

Same thing different brand. Do you need one, I have several.

 

[Beerhippie]

Does anyone know what this is?

Here's a different take on the same appliance:



A friend found it in his father's shop and thought it was some kind of vise.

 

[Wrench97]

Here's a different take on the same appliance:



A friend found it in his father's shop and thought it was some kind of vise.

It is......It's a nut vise.....

 

[AC-WC]

Shame on me-my mind went straight to the gutter when you said nut cracker

 

[Beerhippie]

Shame on me-my mind went straight to the gutter when you said nut cracker

It's an opera, man! A happy little opera, usually staged around Christmas time, about, like, war and empire and fun stuff like that! Toys hurting each other....

Uplifting!