Who made this ? Starrett?

[Snaparxon]

I've spent a small amount of time trying to find a picture of this tool on the internet with no luck. Hope someone here knows who made this.
The butchered ruler says Hardened No.4. No other markings. The ruler most likely was Starrett given the No.4 marking. Well made, reminds me of other Starrett tools I have.

 

[nadogail]

That adjustable protractor looks great.

 

[tyyost]

It’s possible it may be a Lufkin or similar and not a starett. It looks close to a Starrett but the level opening and general shape don’t scream Starrett to me, they seem close though.

 

[RichWolfson]

I don't think that ruler came with that level/protractor.

 

[Snaparxon]

There was also a Starrett square in with this piece but I ran out of money

 

[jayemm]

The nut for the thumbscrew on the scale looks to be classic Starrett.

 

[Snaparxon]

Been searching the internet with no luck. What would this be called? Folding square?

 

[RTM]

The nut for the thumbscrew on the scale looks to be classic Starrett.

I agree with Jayemm, looks Starrett.

You might try looking here for Starrett. I personally like the 1930s catalogs for the best selection.

Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Texts, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine

archive.org

About 30 seconds brought up inclinometer #10.

Starrett Tools 50th Anniversary : Catalog No. 25 : L. S. Starrett Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

388 p., illus., 18.7 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[Snaparxon]

I agree with Jayemm, looks Starrett.

You might try looking here for Starrett. I personally like the 1930s catalogs for the best selection.

Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Texts, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine

archive.org

About 30 seconds brought up inclinometer #10.

Starrett Tools 50th Anniversary : Catalog No. 25 : L. S. Starrett Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

388 p., illus., 18.7 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

THANK YOU for pointing out the obvious solution to my question. I've looked at many catalogs before to identify tools, I must of had a brain fart yesterday.

 

[Lwel9226]

I have one of those that as far as I know is a Starrett.... Yours looks like the same thing to me....
It is in fact a protractor, just a different style than the more common types.....
To me it is much handier to use than the other styles.....
It looks like you are missing two small machine screws that keep center piece located....

LynnW

 

[RoninB4]

Haven't seen/owned one like that but it does resemble an older Starrett design. Agree with previous poster that the thumbscrews resemble Starrett. Is the second thumb screw a lock for the protractor? Nice piece and I would have liked to use it many times.

 

[AEAdam]

I believe that’s a Starrett #10 inclinometer. I found it in the 1895 and the 1938 catalogs.

You can find old Starrett catalogues online If you poke around.

 

[Snaparxon]

I have one of those that as far as I know is a Starrett.... Yours looks like the same thing to me....
It is in fact a protractor, just a different style than the more common types.....
To me it is much handier to use than the other styles.....
It looks like you are missing two small machine screws that keep center piece located....

LynnW

Yes, missing one.There is a small screw on the other side.

Haven't seen/owned one like that but it does resemble an older Starrett design. Agree with previous poster that the thumbscrews resemble Starrett. Is the second thumb screw a lock for the protractor? Nice piece and I would have liked to use it many times.

Yes, the smaller thumb screw locks the protractor in position

I believe that’s a Starrett #10 inclinometer. I found it in the 1895 and the 1938 catalogs.

You can find old Starrett catalogues online If you poke around.

Yes, as RTM posted above, he found and posted a link to a Starrett catalog. Don't know why I didn't think of that, I do that for vintage mechanic type tools, I guess my brain shorted out

Thank you all for your responses!

 

[ronkz650]

Yes it's a Starrett In inclinometer. I have the 18" version my grandfather bought back in the 1920s. It's a nice tool and works great. I think 12" was the shortest one they made.

 

[Firebrick43]

I don't think that ruler came with that level/protractor.

It did but someone cut it short for some reason?

It appears to of been a 20" rule some on cut in half buy the numbering.

 

[RTM]

It did but someone cut it short for some reason?

It appears to of been a 20" rule some on cut in half buy the numbering.

The rule actually looks way too wide. Rotate the protractor to 0, the bottom should sit flush with the edge of the rule.

Look at the image I linked in post #8, seems like it will go flush.

And it wasn’t a 20”, probably 24 based on the numbering scheme.

 

[Firebrick43]

The rule actually looks way too wide. Rotate the protractor to 0, the bottom should sit flush with the edge of the rule.

Look at the image I linked in post #8, seems like it will go flush.

And it wasn’t a 20”, probably 24 based on the numbering scheme.

Your indubitably right about the 24" part, my bad.

I don't think it sets flush.

Other pictures don't so it so



To me the casting on the above number 10 looks shallower as well as the rule being narrower. Starrett was known for changing things during the production run.

I have a starrett combo protractor and its has a bigger rule than my buddies that is made later.

 

[Snaparxon]

The rule actually looks way too wide. Rotate the protractor to 0, the bottom should sit flush with the edge of the rule.

Look at the image I linked in post #8, seems like it will go flush.

And it wasn’t a 20”, probably 24 based on the numbering scheme.

If it was a more narrow ruler, you would not be able to read the numbers when flush with the edge. Maybe mine is a later version, made to be able to read the numbers when folded?

It did but someone cut it short for some reason?

It appears to of been a 20" rule some on cut in half buy the numbering.

I agree, why cut it at 13" and 20" unless it was for a specific, repetitive purpose. It does have some arc burns on one corner of the ruler. Maybe he used it to jump terminals on a starter cause he didn't have a screwdriver

 

[RTM]

Your indubitably right about the 24" part, my bad.

I don't think it sets flush.

Other pictures don't so it so





I have a starrett combo protractor and its has a bigger rule than my buddies that is made later.

hmm, could be. On my protractors and #439, they all go flush. Here is another image to go with your side of the story

Rare Vintage Starrett #10 Inclinometer Bevel Protractor Center Head 24 No #4 Rul | #313335295

Up for auction today is extremely rare STARRETT # 10 inclinometer with centering head and 24” steel rule. I did not know what this tool was until I found it in a 1938 Starrett tool catalog (page 61 fo

www.worthpoint.com

You could buy most of the protractors, squares, and full sets in 12, 18 & 24” lengths, the 439 only in 18 & 24”.

That overly wide blade may have been a different maker to my original thoughts. I have a beat up protractor w a Starrett sized blade that sits offset like that, but not that bad, only about 1/2 the width of the base of the protractor.



Cutting at those numbers could have been what was left after someone made a 12”, with a ratty first cut, or a damaged ruler. Or another previous modification was removed, like this one. I could not figure out how it got damaged like this, some old time machinist said "someone needed a depth gauge into a smaller hole", gotta get it done.

 

[RoninB4]

I agree, why cut it at 13" and 20" unless it was for a specific, repetitive purpose.

-I've heard that things happen in machine shops that result in "custom" tooling. Sometimes the damaged portion gets removed rather than disposing of all of it. Never happened to me of course, just something I've heard of......

 

[Eric Brown]

Adding a little info: Beveling Instrument, Patent 282583 (Aug 7, 1883). Seems the earlier versions of this were not marked while later ones had the Starrett name in the scale area. Also, on some, instead of two screws, one on each side, keeping the head centered, sometimes one of them is a small knurled knob. This same patent number can be found on the early #11 protractors as well although the general body shape is more like patent #289463 (Dec 4, 1883). My example will not take a standard blade as they seem slightly too thick. Found a Millers Falls that was thinner. Just bought a group of Starrett rules and hope one fits.