What's the original use for this.

[HeelSpur]

Bought this at a yard sale 5-6 years ago for $5 and its already paid for itself.
It has Arthur H. Thomas, Phila. on it, but found no info., A.H.T in NJ says they made lab equipment. It raises up 10 1/4 inches and is very strong. I lifted the corner on a 8x10 all wood shed with it and a few other projects.
Goes up and down pretty quick, I just use a ratchet on it.
DSCF2129 by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF2130 by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF2131 by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF2132 by wvwheaties, on Flickr

 

[bonneyman]

Can't answer your question Spur, but dang that is a nice compact scissor jack!

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Here's a link. It looks like they made lots of scientific equipment.
My guess is it could have been part of something else, but a scissors jack like that can be useful.

https://www.thomassci.com/History

 

[lis2323]

A speed wrench if you have one would be way quicker than a ratchet. Or a cordless impact.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Old Man Roger]

Amazon says
Stainless Steel Laboratory Scissor Jacks
Designed for supporting glassware and other lab items at a stable and precise height
It can extend to a maximum height of 10"
Weight capacity 110 pounds, Made of stainless steel
Plate measures length 6" length by 6" width

 

[abachman]

Frequently used to raise a heating mantle up to a round bottomed flask for scientific purposes.

 

[HeelSpur]

So it is that science lab stuff. Between the info of Philly and NJ had me wondering if they were even connected. Thanks.

 

[2oolhound]

I have a heavier version I keep on my platform motorcycle lift to get the wheels off the deck when the bike is up on the lift. Priceless.

 

[mark#3]

I can remember a car jack from the 70's looked very similar

 

[ScottsGT]

Space Shuttle jack. Fits under the spare tire.

 

[rlitman]

LOL, every lab I've worked in called those laboratory elevators. Damned useful things. Yes, usually used to lift a heating mantle up to a flask that's held in place by a clamp on a tripod. Here's a crazy example:

I use the **** out of mine for leveling all sorts of stuff. When I hung the cabinet above my fridge, I put a 6' a-frame ladder in the space, put my jack on top, sat the cabinet on it, and cranked until it was exactly at the level I needed.

Note the large knob where it belongs. That nut really doesn't give you any lifting advantage.

 

[2manytools]

Amazon says
Stainless Steel Laboratory Scissor Jacks
Designed for supporting glassware and other lab items at a stable and precise height
It can extend to a maximum height of 10"
Weight capacity 110 pounds, Made of stainless steel
Plate measures length 6" length by 6" width

I have to think the OP's model is a bit stouter, if it was lifting the corner of a shed. I want one now

 

[engineer2]

Here is a company that sells all kinds of lab jacks.
https://www.coleparmer.com/search?searchterm=laboratory+jack

 

[manwithtools]

If you want some really nice versions of those, check these out. Might want to set down first.

https://www.edmundoptics.com/f/Metric-Lab-Jacks/11707/

Not much height adjustment, but very precise. I've got one somewhere....

 

[WagonHo!]

Just one more tool gotta keep on the lookout for. Spendy when new for sure.
Lot of BreakingBad stuff coming out of Sandia Labs and Los Alamos auctions sales might run across one.

 

[1foxracing]

Think I have 4 of the motorcycle variety, very handy for all types of stuff. Used a couple to level my 56" wide toolbox when I took the wheels off for a permanent placement.