Thanks for this info and your reply.
Thank you. When he started his shop in 1960, not sure what was available. He also had a lathe in the shop, but pretty sure he used this with his high precision Hardinge machine. Maybe the more modern edge finders weren't available yet.
Likely used on a milling machine or similar
-Starting his shop in 1960 meant he was what they now call "old school". I came into the trades about 17 years later and learned under men like your father. I still have a deep respect for what they had to accomplish with what they had to work with back then, crude/primitive by todays standards. The machines back then were certainly capable of doing good work but you really had to know more than just running the machine itself. I probably would have liked to have met your dad and worked with/for him.
-The milling machines Hardinge made were fairly small but were well regarded then and even now by many veteran machinists. For some of them that are still of working age they just want to have one as an object of admiration, a collector type of affection for older iron from when this country still made world class things. The "footprint" was small enough for even a small shop at home and the build quality was good. The little Hardinge mills still draw admiration from those that routinely operate machinery large enough to park a car on.
-They likely were available back then. The cylindrical edge finders have been around since the 70's but, being creatures of habit, we tend to lean on the familiar that have produced acceptable results. It's also about just how accurate you need to be. I have devices I prefer to use but only when the level of precision/accuracy calls for it. Much like the grumpy old men from the old school and the devices they used, they do not suffer fools gladly. I have a wiggler but rarely use it because it almost broke my finger once and I haven't entirely forgiven it yet.
Bought a few lots at auction where they are obviously grouping less likely to sell items w good stuff, make disposing of the **** your problem. So rather than putting all the wigglers together and having them not sell, mix up the hot sellers with obscure stuff.
