Posted 10 years ago
jfichera
(1 item)
I found this item in an old barn in upstate New York in the Catskills. What is it? What was it used for? When the handle is pulled, the metal point is lowered. Weighs about 60 pounds. Size is approximately 14x12x7 inches. Handle is 36 inches.
Thanks for any information!
For punching holes in something tough obviously. maybe sheet metal or even something even more tough.
i was thinking on same line as blunderbuss2 but looking at pic 1 it looks like the notch in the foot of the tool was made to place something in it so im thinking maybe some kind of rivet /eyelet press ,it also looks like the spike could be taken out and different size and shape could be used in the press
would like to see a 1/4 plate of steel in it and see what it does........................
the more I look at it the more it makes me think they put a bar in the side cherry red and brought it down and punch an eye in it ,,,,hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmI like that thought ...lol
Thanks everyone for your comments! jacko66, I took another look at the spike and realized half of it is a cutting blade. It's visible in the first pic, to the right of the spike. So it punched a hole and cut simultaneously. And something is definitely held down by the bottom bracket. We may never know for sure, but keep sending your thoughts!
I think we all agree that it is for punching holes in some sort of metal plate. Anything that it punches a hole in is bound to "hang" on that "tooth" some. This, in turn, makes me wonder why there isn't a fixed "stop plate" to break it loose from the tooth? That's the way I would have designed it if for that purpose. Maybe we need to expand our thoughts. Hot or cold 1/4" plate would have to be hammered loose from that tooth & that's wasted work time. Hummm?
jfichera, just went back & reread your comments & wondering. So that bottom plate is for alignment & acts as a hold down or stop plate. So does the "inverted 'T' slot" go all the way thru? If not, it is for punching holes in the end of something shaped like flat strips or rails. My guess is a specialized punch for something made in whatever age it comes from.
Sa wha?
Leverage. I just took a Cialis instead of a sleeping pill. Now where is she? I just told her about my mistake 2 mins ago!! Long nite ahead! Where the H did she go? My truck is missing!! Yep, going to be a long nite!!
Here you go...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIb39_5Sh2o
Where did you find it, jfichera? I live in that area. That's a cool piece, and there were a bunch of blacksmith shops around.
blushes... Thanks, eye I love finding stuff out!
He didn't use the slot & had to hammer the piece off of the punch. We are still missing something, besides the girl.
I wasn't grading on technique, just the device :-)
Upstate presented a great video but don't think it was being used the way it was intended to be used. It does put in the right scenerio though. It shows the slot going all the way through & that tells me something. Not sure what yet.
hey I was close ....lol
Wow, thanks everyone!! Mystery solved!! Thanks upstatenycollector!! I found the piece in Andes. There were blacksmith shops in the area?
It seem the item could have several functions: punching holes or cutting with the blade section of the punch. blunderbuss2, the inverted T slot does NOT go all the way through, so it appears it was designed specifically to punch hole in the end of some manufactured product.
I really appreciate all the help putting this thing into context.