Favour for a friend

[curiousbynature]

Hi, and up front want to apologise for us newbies always asking irritating questions and maybe even obvious questions.  But my friend found an antique gizmo that he has put on his mantle.  I asked him what it was and he said he wished he knew.  Maybe it's not even an antique but it doesn't seem to be anything I can identify.  So if you know what the picture is, I'd like to let my friend know.

Always appreciate the helpful people on such forums.

Ryan.
If you wish to email me the answer, my email is cullen followed by the letter 4 at email.com with no spaces.

[hunter]

Do you have a pic that captures the entire object?

[waywardangler]

Can you furnish some dimensions?  The Acme threads on the screw are commonly used on wood working vises. You may have only part of the object and not the whole thing. If that threaded rod is 12" long or longer, I think it may be part of a vise.

[curiousbynature]

Well that is the object in it's entirity.  The top has a rounded top.  Sorry I only might see him again in few months because of travel, but will see if can get a picture of the top, but if I remember correctly it was just rounded out.

Thanks for all the replies.

[KC]

Guess my computer screen is cutting it off because it appears to go past the edges!  LOL  Must just end beyond this!

[sapphire]

My first impression was something that would be on the end of a cable or rope to be used for stability or tightening.

The end of the rod that is in the 'loop' has had a nub attached to keep it from turning on the rod or being pulled back out . What would the purpose of the loop be but to put something through it that would be flexible and held in place?

Is it possible the two 'wings' on the nut (forgive my terrible non-technical terms) were cut off at one time?

Size would really help 

[waywardangler]

Yes, I also think that handle has been shortened (wings on the nut). The one end is uneven. This may have been part of a metal lathe. I believe with the Acme threads, it had an industrial application. Without dimensions and a full pic, we could be guessing for awhile. Another conundrum.

[sapphire]

So that loop could have fit over a pierced rod then, to keep it stabilized? 

Rope/cable was the first to come to mind, but I can see the loop being slid over a metal shaft, then the end of the threaded rod fitted through a hole and fixed in place.  And all attached too........?? 

[waywardangler]

I think the loop fit over a metal rod rather than a rope or soft cord. That Acme thread will withstand a lot of stress and pressure and that is why I think it has an industrial application, from a metal lathe, vise or something. This is not a stand alone piece but something that came out of something larger or fit into something larger. I am thinking machinery perhaps. We are only looking at part of the bigger picture. It is like posting a pic of a specialty screw and asking what it is and what it came from.  The handle knob appears to also be nickel plated which further leads me to believe it was from a lathe or industrial application.

[cogar]

I think that both the “looped” end and the round nut w/extensions … are both what I would call “dead men” ……. meaning when they are affixed in position …… they never move.

Thus, if they are affixed or imbedded in two different parts or pieces, …. when the screw is turned ….. the two pieces will be pushed or pulled to or from each other, ….. just like Wayward was implying an old vice made of wood …….. would work.

The same principle as this countertop connector.