Geoff Keyes Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 I've had this for a long time, I'm pretty sure it came from a junk shop, somewhere. It might have started life as a tiny post vice, the jaws are 3 inches. There is an obvious repair, or an addition on the table mount. The end of mounting screw looks like it might be original, but any competent smith could have forged the leg into that shape. The surface is old and pretty uniform, so it's been like this for a long time. I use it as a portable bench vice, or as a make do clamp. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKrzysz Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Here is my own. I love this thing, it is very handy. Looks almost identical to your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 We see them occasionally. That style with the side panels is often made in Germany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 That was a standard style of a bench vise for centuries; probably NOT a re-purposed leg vice. I have a tiny one too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel S Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I found a picture of one of these in Town-Country Old Tools on pg. 152. They refer to it as a key filer's vise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 I have a reprint of an english tool catalog from 1820. They call these kind of vices "table vices". Your vise has been repaired the screw and box are a replacement. Also the mounting plate has been brazed back on it most likely was a tenon mount that went threw the back leg and held a small leaf spring with a small wedge. The coil spring is a modern replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
to many vises Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Hi Geoff the replies you got are all pretty good answers,these little guys have been around for centuries I collect vises and have many styles yours is probally german, the french made more stylized and the english looked close to a large vise I have a few from austria they are heavier built with out much design I also have small post vises they are very hard to find hope this helps Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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