ckadams00
Well-known member
Picked up a couple of tools today and cannot find any info online, so I though I would ask here if any of you have seen these before . . .
-a "CDI" dial caliper (found the CDI site, this looks like a good find)
-a 7"x8" Bitmore cross slide vice - can't find anything online at all. Upon closer inspection I am guessing Chinese built (even though it has a US Pat No., it does not say "Made in USA"). Other tell-tale signs this is a cheapie: no numbers on the marking ruler, cast, not milled handles, the slides are flad, not dovetail.
-a "Pioneer Broach No. 50" arbor press - also cannot find any reference online. It says "LA, Calif" so obviously US made. EDIT: this isn't an arbor press, it's a metal punch: "Ham-R-Press" - used to punch die shapes in up to 16g metal. Found ads in 1950 Popular Mechanics. Also found the manufacturer web site. It came with a triangle die - wonder if I can find other shapes for it. I thought it was odd it didn't have a handle on it. . . .
. . .just wondering if these are HF-type quality or better? I only paid $20 for the lot and I am sure the dial caliper is worth more than that.
Any knowledge of these makers? Thanks

-a "CDI" dial caliper (found the CDI site, this looks like a good find)
-a 7"x8" Bitmore cross slide vice - can't find anything online at all. Upon closer inspection I am guessing Chinese built (even though it has a US Pat No., it does not say "Made in USA"). Other tell-tale signs this is a cheapie: no numbers on the marking ruler, cast, not milled handles, the slides are flad, not dovetail.
-a "Pioneer Broach No. 50" arbor press - also cannot find any reference online. It says "LA, Calif" so obviously US made. EDIT: this isn't an arbor press, it's a metal punch: "Ham-R-Press" - used to punch die shapes in up to 16g metal. Found ads in 1950 Popular Mechanics. Also found the manufacturer web site. It came with a triangle die - wonder if I can find other shapes for it. I thought it was odd it didn't have a handle on it. . . .
. . .just wondering if these are HF-type quality or better? I only paid $20 for the lot and I am sure the dial caliper is worth more than that.
Any knowledge of these makers? Thanks
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