Antique tools - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

StefanC · 04-20-2009, 01:34 PM

Anyone here good at identifying antique tools? I got this old vice/clamp from a barn a few years back and was wondering about its approximate age and if it has any value. It was nailed to an old work bench down at the bottom when I found it. It's about three ft. tall.

Darwin · 04-20-2009, 02:15 PM

It's an old Uncle Fester head cruncher. When a H/O says "Thanks for stoppin' by, we'll call you after we get 2 more estimates.We're aren't ready this minute, we just wanted to get a ball park price of what XX cost". You just stick your head in between the wooden jaws and have 'em turn 'n squeeze ...

neolitic · 04-20-2009, 03:34 PM

It is someone's handmade vice.
Could have been made anytime
in the last 250 years, would be easier
to guess if it were in situ.

It's less than worthless....
send it to me.

**joasis** · 04-20-2009, 04:04 PM

That is a wooden copy of a blacksmith's post or leg vice. Probable a farmer could not afford the "real" one, so he improvised and made one.

Here is one on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Antique-Large-...19115002r36347

xelntchance · 04-20-2009, 04:06 PM

what you have there is a leg vise. it was a common vise usually made by whom ever used the barn for carpentry tasks. its a centuries old design very simple and highly adjustable.