What exactly would this be used for?

[Twilight Fenrir]

So, I was on my local auction site where I get a lot of tools for cheap... And I stumbled  onto this 'clamp on metal rolling tool' Now, I've been keeping my eyes out for a rolling mill to flatten out some copper wire... But this doesn't look like one. It seems to have some similar design characteristics, but I'm not sure just what it does... At first, I thought it was a laundry wringer :P

Anyone familiar with it?

[oldgoaly]

interchangeable dies it can many things, beading, turning, crimping.
looks like it is a Niagara

[john k]

Used to see these in hardware stores to roll the bead on stove pipe.  Pexto seems to have been the most popular.  There were interchangeable rollers to make different shapes on tin.  An expert can replicate Model T fenders with one of these. 

[keykeeper]

oldgoaly was right on. It a bead or seam roller, used by tinsmiths. Without seeing the rollers, hard to say specifically what they are.

If you wanna buy more, I have three different ones in the shed. A friend that works tin advised most are outdated, and have been replaced by much better machines that do many operations in one machine.

These old ones are more curiosity now than years ago.

[Twilight Fenrir]

I see... So the working portion is the far end in the picture?

I guess I'll have to stop in and have a look to see what dies are on it. I'm mostly just looking to turn copper wire into ribbon to use for inlay.But I have seen a few other things made I like. Seems like it might make a passing roller mill for light use. Though I doubt I've got what it would take to make dies for it, at this time.

I like working with old tools... My bandsaw is from 1890, drillpress from 1910, etc. :3

Thanks Keykeeper, I'll keep that in mind!

[oldgoaly]

it would work for gold or silver, lead/pewter
most are rated for 22 gauge mild steel
most rolling mill are supported on both sides only 4-8" wide can not find
a pic of the one I have, not to be confused with a sheet metal roller / slip roll.

[turnnut]

the good thing is that you have the mounting bracket with it, you see many heads without the mount.

run a piece of sheet metal thru it and see what it does. play with it, you may have some fun.

[Chillylulu]

I bought a Disston rolling mill at auction early in december. It is an older one, but nothing had been forced and the rollers are still aligned. 

I broke my primary Estate /Auction / Thrift "favorite price rule" ($1.00 or less each tool, up to $1.25 with shipping) but got it at ~1/2 price of new at ~$400.00. (I have been searching 2 years and they really hold their value well, like 75%-90% of new)

Disston (English, I think) is a great brand from what i have read. New are $850 to $900 at my doorstep.

I need to find a handle for mine. I think the shaft is 1-1/8" dia, or slightly bigger, with a key slot.

I am tickled pink with it. I can't wait to find a handle and end up at the hnd doctors when I accidently flatten one of my fingertips.   

[Twilight Fenrir]

Yeah, I know what a rolling mill looks like... But I can't afford one, and definitely can't justify the expense at this point ^^; If this would halfway work, I'd be happy :P

I do do a bit of sheet metal work... It might actually be handy for its intended purpose, now that I think about it!

That's a beauty Chilly... I was bidding on a hundred year old one on eBay, but it got too rich for my blood, and it never met the seller's reserve. I have use for such a tool, but it would never be profitable for me at this point.

On the original posted tool: Any idea what such a unit would generally go for? It's at $25 right now...