Heres a stumper

[randall]

Oh man that's an EASY one!!
You mean to say you can't tell what THAT is???
Well gee, it's really obvious, it's a....






.....machine :)

[deathwish2]

Can ya give us a link?? other angles? better picture?

The belt is going from the motor to the large wheel . . . the wheel has a shaft coming off or one spoke . . . looks like some sort of cam to make the pin in the middle go up and down . . . . like Marc, I'd say some type of pump?

[KnightJCK]

**Without a doubt, that is a computer monitor turned around backwards.

(I can see why no one else got it since it's obstructed by that green thing there ... Maybe a punch?.)

Jon
"Don't need a tool twice!"

[Billy B]

Did a search on Stokes Vacuum pumps. Looks like an old model, but still useful for something because of the new wiring.

Billy B.

Live a life of thankfulness; if for no other reason, that you have life.

[Super Ry]

Heres the link http://info-center.ccit.arizona.edu/...e_1-27pg1.html

[michael perata]

My guess is an old Stokes Tablet Press.

Can't see how the example could be used as a vacuum pump.

[deathwish2]

Maybe not, but these can . . . ;)
http://info-center.ccit.arizona.edu/.../P0127018T.jpg

[link:w3.arizona.edu/~pacs/surplus/public/sale/P0127018|bigger version here]

[LanceM]

I would say it is an old, dangerous as he!! punch or rivet set. Used to have a bunch of old crap like that at work 20 years ago made by American Shoe Co. :)

It's hard to see in the pic but there is a control rod by the flywheel going down below the table that is probably operated either by a knee or foot petal. That is the trip clutch that allows the machine to cycle once. This machine hasn't been in a factory for use for more than 20 years as it has no operator safety devices installed, they were required long ago by OSHA.

After looking at it closer I would say punch, the dies are interchangeable down in the bottom and the punches change in the traveling shaft. The second rod coming down locks the material down just before the punch strikes to prevent it from shifting.

Most of these old machines were produced for a specific industry to do one job on a production line, then later were adapted to use in other places as automation took over that job. Since the throat is so shallow it wouldn't surprise me to find that this piece probably was used in making shoes, like punching the holes for the lacing, long ago.

Lance

[Billy B]

Pump, punch, or whatever the heck it is (Michael who really gives a crap!), I want to see more pictures from that box next to it!

BB

Live a life of thankfulness; if for no other reason, that you have life.

[TDHofstetter]

I'm seriously inclined to agree that it's probably some terrible-powerful punch or swaging machine. It appears to have a fairly long stroke (2"?).

It could maybe be converted into a beer can crusher or walnut (or pecan) sheller... :)

EDIT: Woops, responded to the wrong post-with-picture. That was intended to be a reply to SR. Might as well have been a mile... :)

-- Tim --

Don't walk in front of me, I will not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I will not lead.
Walk beside me, and be my friend.