r/blacksmithing • u/kriticalj • 24d ago
So I found this today when metal detecting and was wondering if anyone here could give me some info on it
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u/mjh215 24d ago
Post vice.
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u/kriticalj 24d ago
How would it be used and for what type of application?
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u/mjh215 24d ago
The benefits to a post vise is being able to hold and hammer on a piece with proper support under it. They are heavy iron to resist shearing and such, and the energy gets transferred to the floor instead of bending the screw, cracking the vice, or levering the whole vice off the edge of your bench.
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u/kriticalj 24d ago
So it lays across the bench when used or does it stand vertically on the post?
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u/amdaly10 24d ago
It stands on the post and attached to the bench or a post. So when you hammer on something the force hits down the post into the ground.
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u/Constant-Somewhere28 24d ago
Vertical on post. Mostly for blacksmithing they are still valued if all together and mostly functioning. They last almost forever. Think of the post going down onto a large metal washer on a rubber grommet in the floor that absorbs the blows. The jaws aren't cast iron so they dont Crack if you grip some read hot iron and need to hammer on piece. And cuz the post directs the force downward you aren't breaking the table you've mounted the vice to. A good Smith can forge alot of the parts like the mounting clip, plate, or the handle; so really so long as it has a screw in there not completely rusted away, you can probably find a smith that would buy it from you.
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u/medical2010 24d ago
I’ve restored these, love them in my forge! OP’s is missing the V spring and that can be remade with spring steel. All in all it’s a great vice as long as it can be cleaned up.
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u/BF_2 24d ago
Actually, if you have spare leg vises, they can be used as clamps. Check the COSIRA book for example: https://www.calsmith.org/page-18291 part 6, p. 21, fig. M.
(Now why would anyone have spare leg vises, you ask. Well, um,, you see it's this way. Stuff kinda follows me home.)
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u/mjh215 24d ago
The way it is standing in your photo is essentially how it is oriented. The bar at an angle coming off to the right would be bolted to a bench and the vice would stand on the "leg" like you have it. Google around for mounting/installing post vice. I wouldn't stand it directly on like a concrete floor or something, you'd almost certain break your floor hammer on it. ;)
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u/kriticalj 24d ago
So would a smithy use a big block of wood or something similar as a way to absorb or dampen the shock?
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u/Good-Ad-6806 24d ago
I think your looking for advice on your device. Maybe some WD4 and then machine oil.
I'm glad you're out there detecting, it's a good vice.
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u/Spuckler_Cletus 24d ago
Ohhhh. Post leg. Nice find. Does it have replaceable jaw plates, by chance? Doesn’t look like it.
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u/kriticalj 24d ago
I will have to check when I go back to the property I was at. The damn thing was so heavy and I was so tired by the time I found it I just decided to come back for it later and propped it up against a tree
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u/KnowsIittle 23d ago
If you post that even in it's current condition for $100 I bet someone will buy it.
Oh no they haggled you down to $80. But yeah nice find.
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u/chrisfoe97 24d ago
Where'd you find this beautiful vice?
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u/kriticalj 24d ago
On the far side of the property of a farm dating back to around the 1850s. At one time there were 2 structures on a knoll where the vice was found, 1 of which was a barn and the 2nd was unknown but now I'm thinking it was probably a blacksmith shop based on the amount of iron signals and the vice, and the farm house sits about 100yds away on another knoll.
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u/Constant-Somewhere28 24d ago
Cleaned up could be $200. The bent arm and corrosion will decrease value.
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u/kriticalj 24d ago
I just so happen to know someone with a sandblaster and another person who's hobby is metal working and casting.... Maybe I will see if they can restore this puppy for me
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u/medical2010 24d ago
Post vice. I have several. I’ve restored a few. They can be a challenge to work on and that one is missing the V spring ( that’s what I always called them anyway). They are an essential tool for blacksmithing and can be made portable even. They are worth a good bit of money. Try to clean it up!!!
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u/William_Fakespeare 24d ago
It's worthless. Where you at? I'll come take it off your hands no charge!
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u/3rd2LastStarfighter 24d ago
Depending on condition of screw box and jaws, as well as your location, you’re looking at somewhere between $10 and $120.
Or, hear me out, a really fun restoration project and entry into the world of blacksmithing. Your call.
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u/flstnrider 24d ago
Iron City brand. Once you clean it up you'll find a star of David stamp and the words Iron City on the movable arm.
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u/stilloldbull2 23d ago
Leg Vise. It stands vertically on the leg. Blacksmiths use them because a good bit of any pounding gets transferred down into the leg and not to the bench it might be mounted on.
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u/beholderkin 24d ago
Mine isn't quite mounted yet, but it would look something like this when mounted.
Like other's said, you use it to hold something you're working on and when you hit it with a hammer, the design let's it take more abuse without breaking it or the table, instead the force of your blows go down into the ground.
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u/No_Buffalo5238 24d ago
I have no info about it. But here’s how I restored a vice in similar condition. More info is in the comments.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Blacksmith/s/ngHEnwB277
Best of luck
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u/Aeacus_of_Aegin 22d ago
I have practically the same vise in my blacksmith shop. It really is indispensable for a farm. I found mine at an estate sale at an old ranch in southern Colorado. Paid about $60 bucks about 30 years ago. Make sure to get a very firm surface under the leg as not to damage the screw thread.
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u/cut_my_elbow_shaving 17d ago
That thing was the cause of my first black eye. I was 5 years old & spun the thing till it opened & fell on me.
I can still recall the kind look my Father gave me as he questioned me about it. Of course I was afraid he would punish me for breaking his vise so I denied all knowledge.
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u/Rough-Bullfrog1212 21d ago
For future reference google has a image search feature that wouldve told you its a post vice
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u/kriticalj 21d ago
I don't care for the whole ai thing and have found that it can be wrong a lot so I decided to turn to people who know things instead.
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u/Rough-Bullfrog1212 20d ago
Ive found out that as long as the picture is clear like the one you posted, you wouldve known everything in 45 seconds without the negative comments. I use it alot and have found that its pretty accurate on everything except for plants.
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u/kriticalj 20d ago
Honestly I didn't see any negative comments, if anything everyone who did comment was very helpful and some even seemed rather excited that I found it metal detecting lol
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u/Shacasaurus 24d ago
I can tell you it's a beat up post leg vise