Any idea what this is???

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Hey All,Over at a friend's house this weekend and scored some treasures, a Wilton vise and a tiller with a 2 hp Briggs horizontal shaft (that's a post for oldminibikes though)Also have an old tool that we're not sure what it is, any ideas???First pics are the vise
Reply:And now the mystery tool. We have a couple guesses what it is but wanted to weigh in with everyone here and see if they know. Thanks Everybody!!!Last edited by radi8u; 10-28-2013 at 11:09 AM.Reason: oops, no pics attached
Reply:Pics didn't work.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Sorry, I'm a noob
Reply:Could be for lifting and positioning train rails, looks like some sort of narrow beam clamp with a lift eye, probably took a tapered wood handle like a log jack would have. How large are the jaws?
Reply:I've been thinking about this all day, and it's driving me nuts  I'm gonna have to say it's a pry stick lifting devise for something electrical. Hence, why it would take a wood handle. Please, someone let us know so I can sleep tonight!   I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:I'm with Mike, it's bugging me.I've decided it hangs from hoop, the handle opens and closes the "jaws."...and now I just looked again and decided I'm wrong... Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Its an old railroad tool ..  not my listing  but  ..   http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-anti...-/151149777070
Reply:Originally Posted by FarmDadIts an old railroad tool ..  not my listing  but  ..   http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-anti...-/151149777070
Reply:Yea , I was going for rail positioner myself  when i ran across that listing as a " spike puller "  so i generalized my reply so as not to confirm the listing other than as railroad.  LOL
Reply:The reason I would disagree with a rail positioner is once it's up in the air and under load it would be hard to move a rail horizontally. I know with third rails they have to get shimmed once in a while to get the low spots out of them, and it's just a straight lift up, shim and let down. I welded on a railroad when I was younger, in fab shops and in the field so I got to see some interesting stuff that was done with primitive type tools. But, they worked flawless for the tasks at hand.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:That's it...I've decided to abandon reason and I'm going with "Paul Bunyan's beer opener..." I don't agree with spike puller, wrong leverage I think.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:this  listing makes a bit more sense of it i think  http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...9470173&_rdc=1
Reply:Does that mean it would pull spikes from either side using the rail as the fulcrum in the middle?Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Looking at the design I suppose it could , but i still think it was more to lift the rail for  positioning on the rail plate . Chain through the bail on top , grips the rails like tongs , use a wood handle to shift the rail and keep hands and feet clear .  Not that i have ever seen one in use  but that is just what makes sense to me looking at the tool design .
Reply:Ok then, I guess we have the verdict. I'll buy that after looking at the last picture Dave, and reading the explanation. At least I can sleep tonight, Ahhh I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Thanks! I knew I could count on the members here to figure it out, you guys are great!!! My buddy will be impressed by the prompt response. Just last week I told my wife I needed a big vise, though for some odd reason she wasn't near as excited as I was
Reply:Here is a pic with a different angle that I found on the net. Why the reliefs on the bottom side of the puller legs? If they were for pulling spikes, I would think they would be designed different.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:I still think it * can * pull spikes and likely did some because they had that tool there , but it was more used for aligning rails and tie plates than spike pulling .  Just looks too much like a bearing puller not to be designed to slip over steel and lift .  Besides , once you run that cameltoe bar under a spike and heave  you usually can just lift the spike out by hand when you pull the bar back .
Reply:I've seen them before at farm sales, been told that it is a chain come along . That is why there is why the hooks are made the way there are. Would be used only to pull not lifting as there is no way to hold the load, I will check and see if I can find the photo I have seen of one payed out.Joe
Reply:My money's on Joe's take on it. Or a fence (barbed wire) stretcher depending on how big the device is.  Can't really reference from the photos.Last edited by duaneb55; 10-29-2013 at 09:00 AM.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I have seen them at farm sales too , but then i have several spud bars , camel toe bars , picks , ect  from the railroad that were purchased at farm sales over the years.
Reply:OK, I now say chain come-a-long again.  Possibly for bogged wagon/equipment recovery.Chain loops around anchor (red arrow), squared hook (black arrow) hooks to wagon/equipment axle or frame, lay handle (missing from device) parallel with chain going to wagon/equipment and hook first grab hook (green arrow) to chain and lift/rotate handle in opposite direction of wagon/equipment.  While holding load, hook second grab hook (yellow arrow) to chain connected to wagon/equipment and rotate handle toward wagon/equipment for next pull and repeat until fully recovered.The other series of holes is to allow placing the anchor chain clevis for different handle direction pull ratios.Last edited by duaneb55; 10-29-2013 at 09:35 AM.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I agree w/ Joe. The design of the jaws looks to be made to acommodate chain links.         MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:That sure looks plausible Duane . Looks like it would take fresh bites on the chain and run pull each direction of the handle movement .ETA:  I couldn't visualize it until i saw that last picture .That's how I look at it.  A sort of ratcheting motion.  Pretty cool device I'd say.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I think we have a winning theory!! Time to get yourself some chain and try it out
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55That's how I look at it.  A sort of ratcheting motion.  Pretty cool device I'd say.
Reply:Ok, that's cool Very clever arrangement.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I saw a more modern, cheapie version of this that is currently for sale for stretching fences.  They may have been used in the logging industry as well."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:I like the safety pin holes. Seems it may be quite strong and at least moderately safe as well.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:You da man Mick  and good brain work the Duane!I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Well whatdaya know?!  Excellent research job Mick. Really didn't think it was a fence stretcher on second look.  Just goes to show . . . MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Thanks again for all the feedback on this, this forum is one of my favorites. Mick120, you are the man
Reply:It is a chain tightener, hook one hook, pry to tighten, hook other hook pry the opposite direction, repeat until tight enough. I suppose once tight you could wrap chain around the handle, and wait for it to come loose and hit you in the mouth. This is used in Poland for a game like Russion roulette.
Reply:they were pretty smart back in the day.Last edited by docwelder; 12-19-2013 at 09:52 AM.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:I was too late.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder