Many people see the VP as a pretty much useless, ceremonial postion. Are there any VPs who actually acted as the President of the Senate on a day to day basis, and what were the results?
EDIT: a better way to word this question is: What are the powers that the VP has in Congress, and have any VPs used those powers to the fullest?
In addition to Calhoun, John Adams regularly presided over the Senate and partook in debates, and beats Calhoun by one vote for the most tie breaks.
That said, while they are the nominal head of the Senate, the Constitution also says that the House and Senate get to write their own procedural rules in Article I, Section V, Clause II:
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a member.
In practical terms, the Vice President doesn't have much power if the Senate decides to write the rules to say that they can't do anything other than break ties and be physically present, the only things the constitution explicitly grants them authority to do so. Something like Frank Underwood barging into the Senate and immediately taking over wouldn't really happen since at present, party leaders run the floor and they have junior senators sit in the presiding chair.
Follow-up question:
What were the differences in expectations of the Vice President's duties after the 12th amendment was passed? After presidential candidates began to choose their own potential Vice Presidents?