What type of vise is this?

[hoffmand]

Can someone tell me what this type of vise this is? I just got it from a coworker who didn't need it. The movable jaw has two half cylinders that pivot 90deg each way.

Thanks!

 

[blue dog]

Can you post pics with the jaws open and the half cylinders ? Do the half cylinders come out ? Does it look like a factory done situation, or customized by a previous owner ?

 

[hoffmand]

Can you post pics with the jaws open and the half cylinders ? Do the half cylinders come out ? Does it look like a factory done situation, or customized by a previous owner ?

Here are some more photos with the cylinders rotated as far as they go.

The half cylinders do come out. There's a set screw on the bottom of each one that acts as a stop. Once you remove it, the cylinder can rotate out of the jaw.

It looks factory to me. I don't think someone would put that much effort into modifying an older Taiwanese vise.

 

[blue dog]

interesting, never seen that before. would be good for rebuilding and re valving shocks. Do the cylinders lock into any position ?
Thanks for the extra shots.

 

[hoffmand]

Do the cylinders lock into any position ?

No, they pivot freely, but only in the direction shown. There's a stop that keeps them from going past flush in the other direction

If you clamp something flat that spans both cylinders, it acts like a regular vise. Anything round or small and the cylinders rotate as you tighten the jaws. I've never seen one like it either.

 

[blue dog]

I dig on the concept for sure.
Thanks for sharing this, i guess you do learn something everyday.

 

[autopts]

If anything, its to refined to be Chinese. It could be from a small post war country in Europe maybe. Its very unique!

 

[tool_scrounge]

Here is a similar vise that I saw someone had in that it has the rotating type clamps. This one is for mill use and has 30 rotating clamping elements. I never heard of a bench vise version.

 

[hofferwood]

DAMMIT, now I want one!!!
Chuck

 

[asp]

That's pretty slick. Never seen that before.

 

[hoffmand]

Here's the only marking I could find. Even though I'm not sure what its original purpose was, it should be plenty useful as a regular bench vise.