Hydraulic-Powered Vise Doubles As Hydraulic Press

Hydraulic-Powered Vise Doubles As Hydraulic Press FARM SHOP Tools 28-3-39 This new hydraulic-operated bench vise is as simple to use as stepping on a pedal. And, it doubles as a hydraulic press. The Posi Lock hydraulic bench vise works off an air compressor (not supplied) that connects to a foot-operated air valve. Air pressure activates a hydraulic pump that mounts inside the vise and operates a cylinder, which is used to squeeze the jaws together. A gauge shows how much pressure is being applied. "It's easy to use and has three to ten times more clamping power than a conventional hand-operated vise with up to five tons of force. That's enough to do some serious straightening work," says Mitch Trostad, Posi Lock Puller, Inc., Cooperstown, N. Dak. A pair of aluminum jaw liners called "Hold-ets" can be used to convert the vise to a hydraulic press. By attaching a small socket to one jaw liner and a larger socket to the other one you can push out U-joints. The same jaw liners can be used to hold threaded steel shafts without damaging the threads. Since aluminum is softer than steel, the material will "mushroom" around the threads. When you loosen the vise and remove the shaft, you'll still be able to thread a nut on the shaft," says Trostad. The vise sells for $1,295. The Hold-ets sell for $14.95 a pair. Trostad says a smaller version of the vise, with 1 1/2 to 2 tons of clamping force, will be on the market later this year. It will be equipped with a manually-operated foot pump. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Posi Lock Puller, Inc., 805 Sunflower Ave., P.O. Box 246, Cooperstown, N. Dak. 58425 (ph 800 533-5761 or 701 797-2600; fax 800 339-4159; email: m.trostad@posilock.com; website: www.posilock.com).

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