Starrett mystery tools

[Skysurfer]

Going through my brother-in-law's estate I've run into everything from HF junk to a Craftsman C series ratchet and socket set. Something I don't recognize are these two Starrett tools. The longer one is about 12" and the shorter one is 5". They have rubber tips attached and if you remove them there are sharpened tips. The handles don't move but I can rotate the stems which slowly rotate the dials on the side. Strange thing is the smaller one turns the center dial with the Starrett logo and the numbers remain stationary, while the larger one rotates the outer dial with the numbers and the center dial with the hash marks remains stationary.

Probably a simple explanation for what they are but I'm stumped.

 

[woody 73]

Looks like a Starrett speed indicator tool that you have there.

 

[rusty65]

That is a old Starrett mechanical speed indicator. You would set it at zero and poke the spinning object with the end and count to 15 seconds or something of that time zone and after that you would pull it off and check the dial. As for value very little as the China nation produces very cheap digital styles which are more accurate and easier to use.


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[Maui]

The smaller one is a number 104 Starrett High Speed Indicator. You can read about it here:

http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_690549

They are usd for measuring rotational speeds. You simply put the tip of the gauge in contact with whatever is rotating that you want to measure, and read the speed off of the gauge. They work very well, and are usually quite accurate when used correctly.

Maui

 

[Skysurfer]

Thanks guys, I knew the jumbo brains at GJ would know these things. Probably a tough sell at my upcoming garage sale but "Speed Indicator" sounds way more cool than "Mystery Spinner Thingy".

 

[930dreamer]

I almost bought one of these this weekend at an antique store.

 

[bmwrd0]

I have a couple of them, great for checking the chuck and lead screw speed on my lathe, make sure I have the right gearing.

 

[r_olson_06]

Going through my brother-in-law's estate I've run into everything from HF junk to a Craftsman C series ratchet and socket set. Something I don't recognize are these two Starrett tools. The longer one is about 12" and the shorter one is 5". They have rubber tips attached and if you remove them there are sharpened tips. The handles don't move but I can rotate the stems which slowly rotate the dials on the side. Strange thing is the smaller one turns the center dial with the Starrett logo and the numbers remain stationary, while the larger one rotates the outer dial with the numbers and the center dial with the hash marks remains stationary.

Probably a simple explanation for what they are but I'm stumped.

Please post some pics of the C series Craftsman [emoji3]

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3060, 3061, 3070

 

[d42jeep]

You might want to check this earlier thread.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=390406&highlight=Starrett
-Don

 

[Mick56]

On eBay they fetch about $10-20 each.

 

[Skysurfer]

If anyone is interested I'll take $15 for the pair plus shipping. pm me.

Edit: They are spoken for.

 

[HenryAZ]

I have an old Craftsman model (like the short one) that I inherited from my Grandfather's workshop. Use it occasionally, and it is a simple but effective way to count rev's.