Need help identifying strange looking gear reducer

[calandrod]

I found this strange looking gear reduction device in a very old machine shop. He dabbled in a lot of things from cars to guns but I can't figure out what this is. I am not particularly sure if it is old or something new. If you turn the main pulley it spins the gear on top at a much slower rate. Any ideas what this thing is?

 

[larry_g]

Seeing that it has numbers on the slide I would assume it is some sort of a positioning devise or if the end of the thing setting on the table has a way to attach a tool or something it could be any thing. Does the end near the table have a spindle inside?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Grimm_the_Grey]

Might it have been part of a rotating fixture or jig? Something like this:

Homemade Welding Positioner - HomemadeTools.net

Homemade welding positioner constructed from a Nema 23 stepper motor, Arduino-based controller, bearings, shafting, sprockets, chain, tubing, steel plate, and a chuck.

www.homemadetools.net

 

[calandrod]

I was just informed by a collector of such items, that it is a Storm Manufacturing automotive cylinder boring machine. It was used for engine boring on old cars-i.e. model A's and the like. I have the electric motor too and it is stamped Dec 25, 1925. Who would have known!

 

[calandrod]

I attached a youtube link below on how it works. Some other notes. Mine is a model S 8 manufactured in Minneapolis MN. I included another link from Vintage Machinery which has a good amount of info on it. I found one on ebay that sold for $1200 and another one on a weird website listed for $600. Rottler was another company that made these vintage engine boring machines from what I've heard.

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=36433