Name that tool. (SOLVED! Its a Magnetic Chuck)

[jdbailey1206]

I need some help identifying the tool below.  Cleaning out my barn I found this tool that the previous owner left.  When the lever is put to one side of the tool it is magnetized.  When the lever is put to the other side the tool it becomes demagnetized.  My questions are what is the tool and what is it used for?

[jdbailey1206]

It almost looks to be an old Magnetic Sheet Metal Plate Lifter or just an Industrial Magnetic Lifter but it has no handle.   

[HaRuMaN]

Any markings on it at all?

[jdbailey1206]

It was late when I came across it.  I'll give it a once over when I get home but no markings that I remember. 

[DaOld Man]

That looks like a device (cant remember what the proper name is for it), that is bolted to the bed of a mill, then the magnets are used to hold the piece that is being milled.
We had one just like that at a place I worked 30 years ago.
It worked fine when taking off very small amounts of service area. (Such as sharpeneing dies).

We dont have one at my current shop, and I havent seen one of those since then.

[charlieram]

It's a Mag Chuck (magnetic Chuck) and As DaOld Man says they were used on milling beds or surface grinders, you can also get round ones for turning and Cylindrical grinding, I use them at work and you would be surprised at how much these things can hold.

[jdbailey1206]

Awesome.  Thank you Charlie and Old Man.  They don't seem to be on the mass market anymore but they can be found with a little research.  Seems Harbor Freight carried them at one time but not anymore.  This little bad boy will come in handy when I need to work on anything metal. (Joysticks, marquees retainers, etc.)  I was tired of leaving marks in the metal I was working on when I had to use the vice to hold anything.  A little cleaner and some steel wool and this will look like new.  Thank you again for the input.