Not a G-clamp

Looks sort of G-clamp-ish but not. The screw is about 6 inches long and doesn't go all the way to meet the fork bit, which is about 1 in wide. Looks like maybe a bit is missing.
Probably automotive? maybe like a valve spring compressor?

Can perhaps repurpose it into something useful but curious if it has a better, original, use.

It's a valve spring compressor

Roy

I would also say valve spring compressor. I have one a bit like that which did actually start out as a g clamp....

Dave

A bit of wood under the pointy bit and the fingers on the collet holder

An over tightened one! Probably for a bike

I have one, purchased as and used for compressing valve springs. Used to remove valves from any cylinder head which will accomodate it. The treaded end engages the valve head and does not require a protective button. Valves are hard, the thread is soft.

Robert Butler

Edited By Robert Butler on 15/12/2022 15:15:48

More likely a car butcher!

I suspect it has been used as a G-clamp.

Any one want one?

JA

I have had valve collets that are reluctant to let go but a tap with a mallet after tightening the compressor usually releases them, saves distorting the compressor.

Mike

I always give the valve caps a tap before even getting the compressor out of the box. Saves a load of effort.

A valve spring compressor. I have one identical which I bought in 1970 at a bike shop in Winnipeg to remove and install the valves on my Norton 750 Atlas bike.

John

So no missing part - thanks. I might need it one day then I guess, even if only for dismantling an engine to get the aluminium for casting.

Looks like an old one, intended for use on side valve engines, but could function equally well on a pushtod engine.

OHC may not be as easy

Howard

This is a snippet out of the 1972 catalogue of Northwest Cycle Co. Ltd. (Est.1912) in Winnipeg Manitoba.

John

Unlikely to fit in the valve chest, My side valve spring compressor fits in the chest and only compresses the spring. It does not exert any pressure on the valve. It resembles a pair of spring compasses with forks on each arm which are slid on the the coils top and bottom and the screw with butterfly nut tightened to compress the spring. Side Valve cap security methods differ the simplest being a cap with a slot which slides into a groove in the valve, the dished perimeter of the cap bearing on the valve holds everything in place.

As regards OHV and OHC I have already stated it will compress valve springs on any accesible cylinder head rather than every cylinder head.

Robert Butler

Edited By Robert Butler on 15/12/2022 22:11:33

Common-a-garden OHV valve spring compressor that every mechanic shop used to have at one time. Looks much more solid than the more recent ones that are made from two pieces of stamped flat steel riveted together and tend to flex about a lot in use. That one with the cast rigid body is a good 'un.

This is the type of compressor we use on side valve Harleys to whip the valves out without removing the cylinder from the bike. It slides in from the side below the spring and lifts the valve collar upwards:

I have one and as everyone else has said, it is a valve-spring compressor, but I think it would be too light for serious use as a proxy G-clamp.

I do use it thus but only for gentle forces, usually on rough woodwork such as temporary supports..

Even a regular G-cramp can be distorted if used too cack-handedly on uneven surfaces, and I have encountered clamps so abused, often with the foot missing as well, finding them very frustrating to use.

It is hard to think of other alternative uses for a spring compressor, and it's probably better to find it a new home with someone who can use it for its intended purpose, in servicing vintage vehicles.

I have rescued several G-cramps that didn't have feet. Making new ones takes a couple of minutes using the short stubs of material that aren't really worth keeping.

Ba' gum, lad, ha'thee moower brass than sense?

Obviously not as Nicolas is making use of the short stubs!

Robert Butler

I try not to keep them for long - any piece that I wonder how I'm going to hold to work on, quickly goes in the bin. I don't have much space, and I'm not going to waste it with heavy boxes full of useless stock. I don't like spending time and patience sorting through them in the hope I'll find a suitable bit before finally using a long length either.