Whatizit

[Ed Kennell 38,227]

I know it's a vise, but..

[Handy Don 12,237]

Similar to a woodworker vise. Usually mounted under the top of the worktable. Here the jaw will clamp the workpiece against the edge of the worktable instead of to a separate vise jaw.

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,326]

Been to the auction again? See you pickup a bucket for the trailer load in June.

[Ed Kennell 38,227]

5 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Here the jaw will clamp the workpiece against the edge

Yep, I see that Don.    Any idea how the adjustable vertical bar or the hole in front of that bar would be used?

[Handy Don 12,237]

1 minute ago, Ed Kennell said:

Yep, I see that Don.    Any idea how the adjustable vertical bar or the hole in front of that bar would be used?

That rectangular pin that slides up and down can extend the height of jaw to above the table top so you can clamp something between the pin and a dog set into the top of the worktable--effectively makes for a wider jaw!

If you look at @formariz's workbench, he has a whole series of holes for placing dogs (and other clamping gadgets) and he has vises on both the front and end of his bench so he can work long or wide!

 

[formariz 11,987]

As @Handy Don said it is a “dog” used along with another located in bench top to clamp a wide piece flat on bench top . Typical of woodworking vises.  You have there a relatively rare Bemis bench vise. Unique in its absence of the typical two rod guides using instead the cast bottom rail . Also unique in the absence of a rear jaw using bench side itself for that. Usually found incomplete since most take out only front leaving rail attached to underside of bench top. This vise needs a bench with a front apron to be used, such as an English style bench. Very good vise with a unique clever design. Good find. It is strictly a woodworking vise. 

Edited October 11, 2022 by formariz

[Handy Don 12,237]

1 hour ago, formariz said:

As @Handy Don said it is a “dog” used along with another located in bench top to clamp a wide piece flat on bench top . Typical of woodworking vises.  You have there a relatively rare Bemis bench vise. Unique in its absence of the typical two rod guides using instead the cast bottom rail . Also unique in the absence of a rear jaw using bench side itself for that. Usually found incomplete since most take out only front leaving rail attached to underside of bench top. This vise needs a bench with a front apron to be used, such as an English style bench. Very good vise with a unique clever design. Good find. It is strictly a woodworking vise. 

Went back to look at the lettering on the casting after you mentioned it. Noticed the circular boss adjacent to the "inner" mounting screw hole. Am I right that it would fit into a hole in the bottom of the bench top so that the clamping force wasn't being borne only by the mounting screws?

[Ed Kennell 38,227]

1 hour ago, formariz said:

relatively rare Bemis bench vise.

So, I should try to buy it?

[formariz 11,987]

14 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Went back to look at the lettering on the casting after you mentioned it. Noticed the circular boss adjacent to the "inner" mounting screw hole. Am I right that it would fit into a hole in the bottom of the bench top so that the clamping force wasn't being borne only by the mounting screws?

Correct. One of the reasons why this vise was not too popular was the fact that it is hard to mount correctly if one does not have the bench top upside down to have clear unimpeded access to it. The lack of a rear jaw meant that one had to absolutely mount vise with jaw parallel with top edge. Not easy to accomplish working under the bench. Hole for boss would be drilled first . Jaw is also limited in its height not providing much clamping surface. Only three sizes were available. #1 with no dog, and a #s3 and 5 with dog. Ed’s is the #3 the most common one. My experience with them is that they are best mounted on an English style bench with a wide apron which will support the material being clamped better than just the top thickness . Thin tops are problematic for this vise since top of vise will protrude above bench. A filler would have to be introduced. 

[formariz 11,987]

3 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

So, I should try to buy it?

Depends on what you want to do with it Ed. For resale only a collector will probably buy it. They can go for over 70 to 100 dollars if the right guy is looking. It is a good vise for the right bench. As far as woodworking vises go it is unique. If it goes really cheap with it may since it is odd looking and unknown  it’s an interesting thing to own. 

[Handy Don 12,237]

 

2 minutes ago, formariz said:

One of the reasons why this vise was not too popular was the fact that it is hard to mount correctly if one does not have the bench top upside down to have clear unimpeded access to it. The lack of a rear jaw meant that one had to absolutely mount vise with jaw parallel with top edge. Not easy to accomplish working under the bench. Hole for boss would be drilled first .

I'm betting that the original owner's manual or install instructions had some pretty detailed step-by-step and maybe even a template for drilling the four holes!

 

I have two vises on a shelf (one new and one rescued) awaiting the "real soon now" completion of a suitable bench for one or both of them--work delayed indefinitely by all this messing about with tractors! 

[formariz 11,987]

Another not so desirable feature on the Bemis type is the offset jaw with dog not centered on screw. It made it weak prone to cracking jaw if abused.  Others later copied design somewhat improving on that. Here is a similar one from the vise heaven here without the bench casting.