Mystery object

[Abradable Chin]

I suspect it is used in carpentry in some way, but for what? The solid steel shaft is about 14" long and 1" in diameter, and the bell-shaped pad at the end of the arm is articulated.

[reohn2]

It's an adjustable bench hold down or holdfast used in woodworking.
The rusty shaft goes through a slightly larger hole in the bench top.
The round bit on the end of the black adjustable arm tightens down on the work peice which is placed flat on the bench and is tightened by friction of the shaft against the opposing sides of the hole in the bench.
The screw adjuster can then be used to tighten the grip on the work peice or to slacken it off when finished.
Photo here:-
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=woodw ... z99LCxuFRM:

[Abradable Chin]

I see. Thank you. It is a mystery object no longer.
To be useful, then, I would need to bore some holes through the workbench.

[Audax67]

Only works if your bench is thick enough, made of hardwood, and doesn't have a drawer slung underneath right where the holdfast should go. Mine does.