Mystery Tool

[DeaconSteve]

I think this may be an early form of a machinist square. Am I right? The two knobs on the front unscrew and the round face opens up enough for a machinist ruler to fit through and stick straight up. What is the purpose of this type of design compared to the modern machinist square? How common is this tool now? I have only found one on a search engine, and the poster did not know what it was used for.

 

[woody 73]

Deacon Steve I believe your machinist square was made by a company called Storm Mfg Co. out of Minneapolis Minn. You are right the ruler would go in the middle and be held down by the two knobs on either side.

I have never seen one before now and the web helped me out somewhat; Hope that helps you out a little bit.

PS: Could you take a picture of the other side maybe it gives a company name or pat. #'s that would help me out some more.

 

[DeaconSteve]

Here is the view from the underside. There is no other markings except what is on the front, so no patent number or date is visible. Also, the face does not rotate. I wonder if an adjustable transfer rule is what is missing. Still scratching my head.

 

[woody 73]

Sigh...if only I had google 50 years ago.

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/telsquare-gauge-storm-mfg-min-minn-71862789

What you have is indeed very vintage and not well known so take good care of it.

 

[woody 73]

Just as I thought not a common tool back in the 1st half of the 20th century.

See 6003-447

https://finetoolj.com/ftj.php/auction/view/48/5

 

[woody 73]

Not a lot out there:

https://books.google.com/books?id=z...e&q="storm manufacturing" minneapolis&f=false

https://books.google.com/books?id=L...e&q="storm manufacturing" minneapolis&f=false

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/372702.html?1373248079

 

[2oolhound]

Nice work woody.

DS, it's a lay out tool. Place a block of steel on a surface plate and place your gauge in front. Now you can scribe the angle from your drawing onto the block of steel (although I don't see any degree markings, are they on the reverse side?)

 

[DeaconSteve]

Yeah, there are no other markings on it. I don't know how to get repeated correct angles using this thing since nothing moves. The metal would be straight up, and may vary in angle a little bit because there is no slot inside for it to fit into. Depending on the width of the metal strip or ruler, there could be a several degree variance of "wobble" depending on how much distance from the edges of the metal strip and the two bolts holding the face on the front the strip would go between. So far, it is a great paper weight!

 

[DeaconSteve]

I appreciate the input y'all have given very much.

 

[Provincial]

If you put a "blade" made of wood or soft metal in the slot and used a gauge block to set the blade at the desired height above the surface that the base sits on, you could use it to set the depth of cut of a table saw, dado, jointer, or planer.

The use of a gauge block eliminates the need for graduations on your "blade."