Photo Index - Robinson & Co. / Swayne, Robinson & Co. - Metl-Former

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Robinson & Co. / Swayne, Robinson & Co.
Richmond, IN

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Other
Machine Size:	3.5" Light & Heavy Duty Vise
Submitted By:	Bill Cairnes

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Metl-Former
Date of Manufacturer:	1965
Serial Number:	N/A
Last Updated	2/3/2026 1:00:00 PM

Comments:

The METL-FORMER is a standard metalworking vise enhanced to accept various attachments for metal forming. Allowing the
practitioner “To successfully roll flat, round, square metal or tubing…”
“the sheet metal bending jaws will bend any length material”.
There were at least two vise configurations: the light and the heavy duty. The heavier one has a hole bored on the anvil side of the vise for additional accessory.
Orders were shipped directly from the factory in a heavy-duty box (the shipping date on this box is listed as 12/23/65). The box contains:
1 Basic Vise see Pics
2 Flat stock rollers
3 Grooved rollers
4 & 5 Stripper bolts & pivot pins
6 Bending wedges
7 Sheet metal bending jaws
Operating and maintenance instructions

Below is a reprint of the listing: Manufacture’s Index –
Robinson & Co. / Swayne, Robinson & Co. The VintageMachinery.org
In late 1914 the company name changed to Swayne, Robinson & Co. in recognition of the key role of S. E. Swayne in the success of the company. In 1933 Samuel Swayne died and Henry R. Robinson became president. In 1934 the company introduced an inexpensive metal lathe that was advertised in Popular Science and Popular Mechanics. That product seems to have been fairly short-lived. In 1955 the company made the Metl-Former. The company went bankrupt in 1997.

Photo 1:

Comments: Metl_Former Vises
Source: Bill Cairnes

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Photo 2:

Comments: Attachments
Source: Bill Cairnes

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Photo 3:

Comments: Metl-Former Set w/ Box & instructions
Source: Bill Cairnes

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Photo 4:

Comments: Bending Jaws
Source: WXC

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Photo 5:

Comments: Shipping Box (1965)
Source: WXC

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Photo 6:

Comments: Manual
Source: Bill Cairnes

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