Machinists' Whatzit (ANSWERED)

[Private Lugnutz]

As I reported on the Garage Sale thread, I found this steel case used for storing crystals for a Navy radio set.

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Some old timer was using it to store some of his tiny precision machinist’s tools. Also some old flange bearings. Neat idea given the nifty steel clasp box and the soft, protective, wicking material in the lid meant to keep the crystals safe and dry. The crystals would nest in a similar fabric liner with cutouts in the bottom.

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Getting to the point, I am not a machinist, but I can identify all of the items in this case, except for two.

I’d like some help on those, please.

The first piece is the rod or solid cylinder shown in the front of the case in the picture above. It's 6" long and 29/32" in diameter, with a step down, a single flat shallow notch, and a shallow concave opening in each end. Here is a close-up of the end.

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The second piece is the piece nestled between the pin vise, the compound square attachment, and the pocket scriber with the utility nut on the end in the photo above, and here in this close-up.

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Here are more photos of that piece.

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[MShaw]

Re: Machinists' Whatzit

The "rod" is an arbor to mount a part with a hole between centers for grinding or other machining operations. It is slightly tapered and the part would be pressed on to the arbor for machining and then pressed off. Hence the arbor press. The round plate on the press has slots of different widths so the arbor can pass thru and allow the plate to support the plate.

The second item is a swivel. The large hole would be placed on the post of a surface gage and a scriber inserted in the small hole. Once the scriber is properly adjusted the knob is tightened to lock everything in place.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Re: Machinists' Whatzit

Much appreciated, M. Wouldn't've ever puzzlered my way into the first. I just found the second in an old Starrett catalog. Goes with No. 52, 53, and 56 Surface Gauge set-ups.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Last October I found the needle clasp and needle (shown upthread a bit) for a vintage surface gage, closely resembling those shown on L.S. Starrett surface gages No. 52, 53, 54 and 56, but no post or base. Today I found a Brown & Sharpe No. 621 toolmaker's type surface gage base with post and clasp, but no needle! The Starrett clasp actually fits the B&S post, and the Starrett needle also fits the B&S clasp. Vintage standardization and interchangeability!

 

[RTM]

This seems like a good thread to restart, stay in theme, not too long dead yet. I've got a few questions on tools for the more knowing.

This is not so much a Whatzit but a Whozit's. Couple of years back, I bought a grungy as heck Gerstner 31A, mostly for the tools. Lots of nice calipers and dividers and such, and a few surface gages and paraphernalia to go with them. Sorted out all the calipers and stuff right away, but never dug into the surface gages until recently, as I have an upcoming need for them. Then I remembered why I stopped. The bottom drawer had apparently gotten damp, the back of the box had water damage, a bit of mold inside the box. All the bottom drawer stuff had some degree of rust, a fair bit higher than the ocean-side stuff all tools here get. So, I start to sort and clean, peruse for broken pieces. Not a complete one in the drawer. Then I remembered I had bought a solo one just prior to that purchase, and unearthed it on the home office tool research desk.

Here's the rub: None of them have maker's names, and two of them don't match anything I can find in a vintage catalog. The three of them are here, and details of the individual's are in the directory below.

The left most I think is a Starrett 57
https://archive.org/details/StarrettToolsCatalogNo25/page/n248/mode/1up

Dimensions are 2-1/2" x 2-7/8", it seems to match the image, the edges tilt, it has the retracting pins, but no name. It was next to a Universal Dial Test Indicator #196, also scattered a bit. Bummer of this one, the rocker pivot screw is broken off, very short to the rocker. Going back into the goo soon. Left handed drill bits in a few days if cutting a groove doesn't work. The rocker is $40, so don't want to replace it if I can get the screw out.

https://archive.org/details/StarrettToolsCatalogNo25/page/n134/mode/1up

The next one is the big heartbreak, no name, looks like it was either chromed or nickel plated, or something, nice and shiny, between the rust blotches. The bottom is a mess. And it's missing the rocker. There are a few loose pieces in the drawer, but none have the chromed look to match. A mid sized, at 2-9/16 x 3-1/8". It came with a guide for curves, also shiny, between the rust.

The right most is the bought solo, the biggest of the bunch, also a no name, but complete, except with no built in pins. Dimensions are 3-1/8" x 3-1/2". It adjusts like a Starrett, but the shape of the hump in the middle is quite different from what I see in the catalogs, and it has no pins. I have not figured out if its metric or US yet.

Couple of rods, and snugs, and arms and stuff, all also needing derusting.

So my question is: does anyone recognize these enough to suggest further catalogs to look into? I've checked Starrett, B&S, Moore & Wright, Lufkin, Goodell-Pratt, Union, P&W so far, and found nothing that matches the right two. The weird hump is flat on top, vs the Starrett's round or Moore & Wright's (and Lugz's Starrett) ramped top. Have not gotten into the European catalogs yet.

Thanks all in advance for any guidance.

The whole directory, with detailed pics

 

[Ricky Joe]

Try Ames

 

[leg17]

To me, the two 'mystery' ones look to be shop-made or toolmaker made. Might not have ever gotten finished.

 

[Provincial]

Yes, they could be school or apprenticeship projects.

 

[RTM]

Well heck, lets kick this thread back to life again. Found another piece of what I think is a surface gage setup, but no clue who made it, or what exactly its for. Any clues appreciated.

Whatzit, 2-1/4" top to bottom without the screw, 3/8" diameter body, 1/4" cross drilled hole, no protection inside to stop the screw from marring the shaft. Slight chance its user made, as the right angle isn't, its a bit splayed out.

 

[RoninB4]

Speculation on my part: It appears to be shop made from the surface finish, can be used as a height gauge mounted scribe or height setting when attached to the rod. Some rods have an articulating joint, often used with an indicator, that could employ the "right angle" (that isn't) blade for either of the aforementioned purposes. I've made many odd gadgets for special purpose jobs that weren't commercially available, that's just part of being a toolmaker.

On another note, it appears that none of the height gauge bases pictured in the earlier post have a provision for checking how square something is to a reference surface. The ball bearing in the "V" works but that's a bit clumsy sometimes. Just an observation from personal preference.