Just found

[cheesehead2]

Hi. New guy here. Very interesting site for sure. This old tool thread got me to thinking about a box in the poll shed that I moved up here after the wife's dad passed. Some old stuff in it that were his fathers. I,m 76 so its some old (S). Here's the names off a few tools I will try and get some pictures maybe you guys can help ID or whatever.

Davis Level. & tool co all metal 6in long looks like a mantel clock Pat sept17 1867

Butterfield &Co Rock Island Qe,Darbylake VT. 12 long tap/reamer holder. #b54 jaws
L K Waters plum bob
Dubly Mfg , Enominee Mi Pat May 25 1884 Small funny looking Calbiber
BB & S Prey RI 12 inch ruler
More but not cleaned up.

Thanks Russ Will try and post some pictures

 

[454ragtop]

Welcome Russ, please post some pics.
"BB & S Prey RI 12 inch ruler" is most likely a Brown and Sharp from Providence RI, usually high quality stuff.

 

[woody 73]

Russ Hi,

Take good care of that Davis Level a real keeper for sure! (for that matter take good care of all his vintage tools).

http://melmillerantiquetools.com/ll_davis_page.htm

 

[crguy]

Hi Russ, welcome. I'd like to see pics of the Davis level, and would be interested in buying if you're going to sell. I'm very familiar with them.

 

[jimreed2160]

As mentioned, the Davis level could be very collectible. Trouble is that they are very fragile. Look at it closely for breaks and missing pieces. Pristine Davis levels are highly sought after because they make fine wallhangers.

 

[Roberts210]

Keep 'em. They are part of your family history. Valuable parts.

 

[gptom]

what line of work was your grandfather in law in?

 

[Richard Cranium]

I would say keep them, They are part of the families history.

 

[woody 73]

My eyes are not the best ( darn dog broke my glasses this week) anyhow maybe I am missing something I don't see any plumb bob? What I do see is a set of trammels like the following link:

https://www.bing.com/images/search?...f2d85bd93daa275aba74d9dba97894d6o0&ajaxhist=0

Is that what you are calling a plumb bob ?

Russ keep the collection together and remember condition, condition, condition, so pick up an old rag put some oil on it and give the tools a gentle cleaning with the oil soaked rag or use some wd-40. Don't over do the cleaning, just stop any rust.

Your children and future generations of Grandkids will enjoy the vintage tools.

Woody

 

[ChaseDE]

Welcome! Nice level, I have one similar.

 

[2oolhound]

That level is certainly unique. I also like the divider with interchangeable tips at top left of the 5th photo. I hope it's salvageable. The outside dividers also (#2 in my photo below) and if any of those rulers (numbers 3,4,5 + 6) are CH rulers as seen here:

http://www.chruler.com , well you've got yourself a real honeypot, specially for Christmas! I want one.

 

[Roberts210]

ChaseDE, that's actually a Starrett protractor head along with a center finder. Quality items for sure, and extremely accurate from the factory. The protractor head is missing one of the thumb screws, but they are still available from Starrett. Hope that sweet unit gets cleaned up.

 

[crguy]

ChaseDE, that's actually a Starrett protractor head along with a center finder. Quality items for sure, and extremely accurate from the factory. The protractor head is missing one of the thumb screws, but they are still available from Starrett. Hope that sweet unit gets cleaned up.

Correct - The Starrett head has a lot differences from the Davis level.

The Davis has an inclinometer which is adjustable thru a 90 degree arc.

 

[notlob]

Correct - The Starrett head has a lot differences from the Davis level.

The Davis has an inclinometer which is adjustable thru a 90 degree arc.

I'm likely missing something here, but can't the Starrett protractor perform the same function as an inclinometer?

 

[Roberts210]

Kinda sorta, but not really. How's that for an answer! An inclinometer is much more sensitive to slope. You can measure slope with the Starrett, but you have to work at it, while an inclinometer reads close to instantly. I have several Starrett protractor heads and use them for laying out angles.

 

[jimreed2160]

The trammels are nice. One is a Stanley and the other is ??? But both are nice. Knock the rust off the steel points but go easy on the brass and leave the patina. Although mismatched, they do seem to be the same size and can make a nice user beam compass.

 

[cheesehead2]

Thanks. I think I may have come across the mates.

 

[Roberts210]

I built a run of 11 arch-top windows, in 4 different sizes, and used several Starrett protractor heads to lay out all the angles.

 

[cheesehead2]

Just found the matching ones any thoughts on cleanup or anything. I,m not into this type of stuff.