What's this tool?

Ok, here goes, start the stop watch!

What on earth is this? I'm sure I should know but I cant put my finger on it.

It looks like is is a temporary holding down lever. The post goes down through a hole in the bench and an assistant holds the workpiece down while it is cut or planed.

Good idea mart, the flat end has rough file cut striations on it so I thought clamp myself.

But as you say it would need a colleague to hold the clamp while you did the work.

I thought it may be a Jack of some sort.

Mick

The bit with the holes in it looks like wood, is there a removable pivot pin?

Yes the upright section is made of wood, the pin is missing.

I cant see it being fixed to a bench but I'm only guessing.

The ends of the wood are worn as if they are the bearing surface.

Regards Mick

Is it the right way up in the photo?

If you are fitting cups under castors on furniture or spreading a carpet underneath you could stand the wooden stick on the floor and press down on the handle, lifting the metal pad up to singlehandedly fit a cup or carpet under the leg on a sofa or chair?

Just a guess at what it looks like - I know nothing!!.

Nick,

Now that's more in line of my thought process.

I've seen all sorts of bench clamps and such but never one like this, if it is complete then jacking up seems more likely than holding down.

It was found in an outbuilding at Wentworth woodhouse so lifting heavy furniture might be right.

Unless it's for cart or wheel repairs as they had a fleet of them.

Regards Mick

I wondered if it's for positioning a new gate or door being hung on its hinges. Same idea as wheel repairs except it's a bit small for that. It's not meant to take a lot of weight for long, but it would provide fine control for a short time.

It will probably turn out to be a toothbrush...

Dave

Removal man's jack for lifting heavy items up and over steps?

I wonder if it could be part of a version of this cart jack currently on ebay

Bill