Can you identify this machinists tool
- Thread starter snyder
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RTM
Well-known member
The massive micrometer thing in the back? It is a super precision gage, where each big lump on the shaft is a precise inch apart, then the top knob only adjusts 1” total, add the big lump count to your thousandths of an inch from the top, an a tall precise measurement.
Will see if I can find a part number. Digi check 258
www.starrett.com
Will see if I can find a part number. Digi check 258
DHG18-E258 DIGI-CHEK Model E258
These gages combine the accuracy of Starrett-Webber Gage Blocks with a precision micrometer head and digital readout. Both over and under heights can be checked directly from the gage blocks in a single setting. Because reference surfaces are provided on the top and bottom of each block...
www.starrett.com
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mrb1
Well-known member
Cadillac as in Cadillac Gage Company. Several other makers listed...
https://www.ebay.com/shop/cadillac-height-gage?_nkw=cadillac+height+gage
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Dumber than lumber
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- Dec 19, 2015
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I am going to guess, so don’t laugh at me.
It is something that was very very expensive. And CNC has made it mostly obsolete.
Am I close? What does the label say (besides Starrett)?
It is something that was very very expensive. And CNC has made it mostly obsolete.
Am I close? What does the label say (besides Starrett)?
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Obsolete on the shop floor but not by CNC. The style of the gauges changed and instead of a surface gauge used in conjunction with the gauges they are direct reading now.
Around 1500 dollars for a 24"
About 8500 dollars if you have the air suspension to move it on the surface plate or 7500 without.
The type of height gauge shown by the OP is not usually on the shop floor anymore but is still sold and used by the metrology labs to check other gauges and standards against.
A 610mm (24") is 16,000 dollars
I personally have an old brown and sharp 12” height gauge that lives on my surface plate.
RoninB4
Well-known member
-If you've never had the need for one then you're simply not familiar with what it is. Anybody that would laugh at you for that is an idiot.
-They were (pre 1980's) because it was the only affordable means of obtaining accurate 4 place (.xxxx) dimensions larger than a stack of gauge blocks and easier to use than a micrometer for accurate numbers. They were used with a surface plate (for "zero" reference) and an indicator. There were a few different makers/models with different features (and priced accordingly) and different heights. The earlier models were like the first two shown (Cadillac PLA-CHEK) that had a shaft with only a single surface (top of disc) for measurement. A small "horseshoe" device was available to clip on when needing to reference a surface underneath instead of on top. A later design (Mitutoyo was first that I recall) used a different (and more expensive) version similar to the Brown & Sharpe model @Firebrick43 posted above. This version has two surfaces for each 1" range to use for over/under and requires no "horseshoe" attachment for an underneath surface reading. The single shaft design became a dated but less expensive option.
-It's a dated design but I wouldn't call it obsolete and certainly not by CNC. The electronic models may have replaced (new toy syndrome) the mechanical type in the inspection dept. (data logging) but many people still use/prefer the mechanical design. The CMM (coordinate measuring machine) also drew favor with QC people but the simplicity, cost, and footprint of the mechanical types is still favored by many. I have a couple of different height models (smaller is easier to use) and prefer them over an electronic model or a CMM. What others prefer largely depends upon what you need it for and how accurate you need to be. All three have advantages and disadvantages.
-As close as a non-shop person (civilian) would get, you did ok. Asking questions is how we all learn.
-There's a few other makers besides Starrett, they may have discontinued theirs. Sometimes called a Height Master but that name will usually bring up the Mitutoyo model.
Yes, upon quick visual.it looks like a master micrometer hight guage.blemme take another peek to be sure.