Hello everyone, Donnie from Alabama here.

I just wanted to introduce myself and share a couple photos of my prized possessions. My granddads Blackjack anvil & his Vanderman vice.

I really like that vice for what ever reason.... anyone know what those curved depressions in the back are for, almost like a swage block but the vice isn't "beefy" enough, it seems to be used as a swage block?

                                                                                                           Littleblacksmith

Look up the patent associated with that date and see what they claimed it was for.

A little information I found on the vice.

Vanderman Manufacturing Co.was established in 1878 by William Vanderman and was located in Willimantic CT. The company manufactured heavy steel tool chests used by railroads and construction trades. Some of the smaller chests were used by The Wells Fargo Express Co. and were used as boot-boxes on stage coaches. Vanderman Manufacturing also made combination bench and pipe vises used in the steam fitting trade and was considered the best vise ever made. Vincent Nesci purchased the plant in 1966 and moved it to its present location in East Hampton CT. Nesci Enterprises, Inc. makes Concrete Saws, Welding Fixtures and prototype parts.

W. VANDERMAN' PIPE VISE.

N0. 455,369. v Patented July '7, 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

The main body of the vise is provided with an open bending-socket h, that is located back of the main jaw, and is adapted to hold the removable bushing 'i, that is preferably made in two or more sections 2" 1', having the tapered and rounded openingz' therethrough. These bushings fit into the bending-socket h in the vise, and are held against removal by the overhanging upper edges of this open socket. A pipe of considerably less diameter than the bending-socket may be placed therein and the sectional bushing slipped into place and the pipe then bent to form an offset in the pipe, or it may be bent in opposite directions upon opposite sides of the vise, the sectional bushing being slipped out in parts, so as to enable the pipe to be removed from the hold of the bushing and socket.

REFERENCE PHOTO

Didn't that work out well!  Thanks for posting it here to assuage our curiosity.

Hi Donnie, Where are you in Alabama?

10 minutes ago, PVF Al said:

Hi Donnie, Where are you in Alabama?

There's plenty of us on here from Alabama. One of us might be pretty close by.

4 minutes ago, Michael Cochran said:

There's plenty of us on here from Alabama. One of us might be pretty close by.

I'm currently in the Horton area in Marshall County.

Hayden is just down the road a piece from me.

WOOT! Another local!!! Welcome to IFI.

That's the way local groups get formed.  I was in one that started as a way to carpool to meetings of another group 2 hours away.

I don't find my way out there very often but I know where you're at. If I can ever get things straight around here I'm supposed to have jwilson over and I'll let you come by too if you want.

Are you a member of the Alabama forge council yet? I would suggest joining if you haven't.

19 hours ago, Michael Cochran said:

I don't find my way out there very often but I know where you're at. If I can ever get things straight around here I'm supposed to have jwilson over and I'll let you come by too if you want.

Are you a member of the Alabama forge council yet? I would suggest joining if you haven't.

Just let me know Michael, if it's where I'm able I'd like to.

No, I'm not a member of the Alabama Forge Council. Actually, I have just started doing smithing as a hobby, like I needed another "iron in the fire".

I'm a life long metal worker, complete from machinist to welding to Certified Welding Inspector. Currently working in the design engineering department as a design/detailer. It's in my blood so I thought I'd give blacksmithing a try, so far it's ADDICTIVE!

21 hours ago, jwilson645 said:

WOOT! Another local!!! Welcome to IFI.

Thanks jwilson!

There are 2 chapters that meet close to us. Cullman meets on the first Saturday of each month at Pienhardt Farm and Vulcan Forge meets on the second Sunday of each month at Tannehill. I'm usually at Tannehill. Next meeting is June 12th. We'll be at the barn behind the blacksmith shop at 9am.