What is it...

[tackdrvr]

Howdy all, I am disposing of some stuff on e-bay and I came across this item and I have no clue what it is or does. My first thought was to post it here as this place is amazing for the wealth of information exchanged. I am also curious how long it will take to get an answer. So anyway, what is it?? What does it do??
BTW the third pic doesn't show it very well but the stud is marked in 1/16" increments on the flat face similar to how a powder measure is marked.
Anyway, thanks for looking.

 

[cussedemgun]

valve spring tester

set travel on the hand wheel,
install spring over stud,
use torque wrench in the square hole at the pivot point in upper arm,
read torque wrench & multiply x2 for spring tention

Edit; Bruce said "I would be interested to know what it was (is) used on (for)"

When rebuilding an engine head (grinding the valves) it is proper procedure to test the valve springs & replace any that are weak or worn.
Generally a spring will not lose tention unless over flexed, over heated, or worn to reduce any coil thickness. All the above conditions can happen inside an engine after extended use.

All good motor repair manuals will have a table of 'valve specifications'. One column in this table will read like "[email protected]". To read the actual value of a spring being tested, you set the specified 'test at' length with the thumb wheel. Using a torque wrench calibrated in "ft/lb" & designed for use with square drive socket wrenches, of the beam or dial type (break-away type will not read pounds) insert the torque wrench in the square hole in the upper arm to apply torque down against the spring till you compress it to the set length. The test fixture's upper arm will be approx. 1/2 as long as the torque wrench so to get a correct reading in pounds pressure, multiply X2.

 

[Lee Barner]

i could sure use it cracking walnuts. lee

 

[Bruce51]

A bench mounted torque wrench would be my guess.
It must be very job specific since it has a square opening.
That's my best guess. I would be interesting to know what it was used on.

Bruce

 

[tackdrvr]

Wow...and thanks

And this is the reason I love this place. 27 minutes from question to answer. An answer that borders on thesis material I might add. This place and the folks that make it up never cease to amaze me. Thanks cussedemgun for the quick response. Best wishes to all and remember..... Gun control means hitting your target.

 

[sipowicz]

It's a 19th century circumcision clamp...Gizamo has 6 of them.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

It's a 19th century circumcision clamp...Gizamo has 6 of them.

Yea and with about 60 hours of work, he'll have it cleaned up like that little pot he just finished http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/203650-cast-iron-ponset.html

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

It's a mountain oyster cracker.

 

[michael thornton]

i dont know, but if you throw it away you will need it next week!

 

[bricker]

It's a mountain oyster cracker.

They got oysters in the mountains?

 

[cussedemgun]

oysters

They got oysters in the mountains?

Only in the Rocky Mountains google "rocky mountain oysters"

I believe Texas is their main supply!