English Made Level

[Ryan]

A bubble level isn't something I've ever given much thought to... until I saw this piece made by J. Rabone & Sons in England. Not sure of the date, but it seems early....
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.

 

[Amitygravel]

Those are some real purdy curves.

That level is probably more accurate than all of my levels combined.

 

[Falcon67]

That looks like a machinist level - should be good to at least .005 per foot or so.

Similar:
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=2423

 

[motobilt]

I have one of those. My dad gave it to me years ago. My was made by Starrett. Not sure what year mine was made but it is old. You can still purchase them new.


http://www.zorotools.com/g/00061620/k-G0973305?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed&kw={keyword}&gclid=CJTEwZG577gCFRRk7AodpkcAYw

 

[neophyte]

The old Rabone machinist tools were nice!!!.

 

[Outlawmws]

One of these days I'll find one of those than isn't an arm and a leg...

Nice one Ryan!

 

[woodbox]

Pretty sure my dad has one of those in his collection.

 

[Graham08]

That looks really similar to a Starrett #98.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

I picked up one of those off Craigslist. It was in a box of old tools listed as "A box of grampa's old tools." I think I paid $10.00 for the lot.

I didn't really know much about it other than it looked kinda cool. I just read above that it is an old machinist level. Cool.

Mine is a Stanley #34 8"

 

[richfinn]

Probably made in my home county of Yorkshire (a long time ago Sheffield was full of high quality tool makers and steel works) the local Soccer team is nicknamed the Blades

 

[Jononon]

Probably made in my home county of Yorkshire (a long time ago Sheffield was full of high quality tool makers and steel works) the local Soccer team is nicknamed the Blades

If it's pre '63 it's likely to have been made in Birmingham. After that Rabone merged with Sheffield based Chesterman. I believe all manufacturing moved to Sheffield at that point, it was certainly there by 1990 when Stanley bought the company.

Although Sheffield's tool industry has shrunk almost beyond recognition, Rabone steel rules are still made in South Yorkshire.

(Fellow Yorkshireman )

 

[richfinn]

If it's pre '63 it's likely to have been made in Birmingham. After that Rabone merged with Sheffield based Chesterman. I believe all manufacturing moved to Sheffield at that point, it was certainly there by 1990 when Stanley bought the company.

Although Sheffield's tool industry has shrunk almost beyond recognition, Rabone steel rules are still made in South Yorkshire.

(Fellow Yorkshireman )

Where you at now mate?

I live in Shipley near to where the old Parkinson's Iron works used to be ( they tell me the Vices are top notch) in one of the Victorian mills at Saltaire.

 

[Jononon]

I'm in London. That's actually why I went quiet on the forum, I can't afford a garage (this may confuse the Americans, but you know how it goes ) and I have very limited use for a car.

My whole family are from Bradford, but I lived near Sheffield for years.

 

[richfinn]

Ahh a fellow Bradford lad, I'm the local manager for the RAC in that area.

Are you a City fan??

 

[Jononon]

I'm not terribly interested in football

 

[richfinn]

I'm not terribly interested in football

That's OK, Neither are Bradford City

 

[P71Ryan]

I have one that looks almost identical in near perfect shape with a wooden box. I've always wondered if it had any real value it it. Looks nice up on my shelves anyway.

 

[j p smith]

Very nice Ryan, some of those are so sensitive I think if you were going to level a table you could put a heat gun to one of the legs and it would show up on the level. Again nice piece

 

[Jek11688]

I inherited a Starrett level just this summer and didn't know much about it when I got it. Anyway I can figure out when it was made?

 

[Outlawmws]

I picked up one of those off Craigslist. It was in a box of old tools listed as "A box of grampa's old tools." I think I paid $10.00 for the lot.

I didn't really know much about it other than it looked kinda cool. I just read above that it is an old machinist level. Cool.

Mine is a Stanley #34 8"

You are supposed to be a "More Power" guy, not a "More Suckage" guy...

 

[Outlawmws]

I have one that looks almost identical in near perfect shape with a wooden box. I've always wondered if it had any real value it it. Looks nice up on my shelves anyway.

{Waves hand hypnotically} It has no real value, you want to sell it to Outlaw for a Good price!








Did it work?

 

[firecracker]

I had a Rabone like that one Ryan, pre 63, I like the way the shield covers the glass when not in use. As for accuracy wow JP Smith is spot on. Must try and find it.

 

[dbrow6272]

Good buy.

 

[dbrow6272]

Got one. It's a Starrett and went thru a garage fire. Still works great but doesn't look as pretty as it once did.

 

[dos zetas]

I've visited Yorkshire, a fine part of the world, relatives in Todmorden.
Those rules are got one, along with an Eclipse machinists' bevel at a car boot sale there...