A nice find

Advert

New Replies

Report Bug

Help/FAQs

A nice find

This topic has 16 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 8 December 2021 at 07:04 by Howard Lewis.

Viewing 17 posts - 1 through 17 (of 17 total)

Author

Posts
5 December 2021 at 13:24 #574334
martin perman 1
Participant
@martinperman1
Gentlemen,

In the next village to me there are two Garden Centres and one of them has a Antique Business in one of its buildings, I usually visit about once a month as he sometimes has some old clocks that interest me, he usually has a few boxes of tools, most not of interest but my last visit had me return home with three toolmakers clamps and a few other goodies.

Yesterday I wondered along to the centre and nice set of engineers compasses and a scriber stand caught my eye, I went to haggle the price and the owner presented to me a wooden box with lids top and bottom and a carry handle at one end, opening one lid I found three micrometers 0-1, 1-2 and a 2-3, two are made by Brown & Sharpe and the third was made by Ambrose & Shardlow Sheffield, I'd never heard of this company so a search was done when I got home.

Turning the box over and opening the other lid was a Starrett Bore micrometer various extension from 2" to 7.5", after a quick haggle it was mine including the other items.

Martin P

Edited By martin perman on 05/12/2021 13:25:32
Advert

5 December 2021 at 13:24 #36658
martin perman 1
Participant
@martinperman1
5 December 2021 at 13:41 #574337
Thor 🇳🇴
Participant
@thor
Congratulations Martin, that is a really nice find, especially if you got it at a reasonable price.

Thor
5 December 2021 at 13:50 #574338
Jonathan Garside
Participant
@jonathangarside40968
Martin

The Starrett is more likely to be a 2"-8" internal micrometer rather than a bore mic.

As regards Shardlow I have a 0"-4" outside mic. They were quality manufacturers in their day

Jonathan
5 December 2021 at 14:50 #574341
martin perman 1
Participant
@martinperman1
Thor, Yes I got it for what I am happy with, Johnathan, I thought 7.5" was a strange number but that's what my Vernier measured it at fully assembled with the longest rod and spacer. I couldn't remember the correct name

Martin P
5 December 2021 at 15:38 #574346
Brian H
Participant
@brianh50089
It must have been your lucky day Martin. I like the B&S and Starrett tools. Shardlow were an especially good quality make, I have a couple of their mics, one of which is a mechanical digital model.

Brian
5 December 2021 at 15:49 #574347
Nicholas Farr
Participant
@nicholasfarr14254
Hi Martin, maybe one of these resemble your internal mic.

Regards Nick.

P.S. This page might also interest you Starrett 124 series

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 05/12/2021 16:09:49
5 December 2021 at 16:18 #574349
Phil Whitley
Participant
@philwhitley94135
Ambrose Shardlow was the founder of the Company, in Attercliffe, Sheffield and during WW2 they made Merlin engine crankshafts, and many other mil spec engine cranks. At one time their works was supposed to be the largest engineering works under one roof in the world. I have one of their mics too.

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Ambrose_Shardlow_and_Co:_by_David_Price
5 December 2021 at 16:49 #574355
ega
Participant
@ega
Many years ago a friend gave me a rather unusual Shardlow 0-1/1-2" mic; its operation will be apparent from my photo:

For normal small work the mic could be left with the ancillary anvil in position in the knowledge that greater capacity was available if needed.
5 December 2021 at 16:56 #574358
michael potts
Participant
@michaelpotts88182
A few months ago, I purchased a Shardlow automatic adjustable spanner, a few inches in length. It is a well made and a very solid tool. A quick wash to loosen everything, a brush with a brass bristle brush, and some oil, and it then was completely free and working. The handle is about the same length as my Bahco 6" adjustable. It will open to take nuts from about 5/16" to 1" across the flats. It does appear to be a capable tool, but is just a bit too big to deal with the smaller nuts. It is turned over to tighten or loosen nuts.

Mike Potts
5 December 2021 at 18:03 #574363
Brian G
Participant
@briang
Hi Martin

Your photo shows the 1/2" collar in place, so it should extend to the full 8" as you unscrew the thimble. I was lucky enough to get a 124D set for about 10% of the list price when Amazon's prices dropped in 2019 but doubt I will ever measure a 32 inch bore

Brian G
5 December 2021 at 18:56 #574368
martin perman 1
Participant
@martinperman1
Brian

if I had a brain I would be dangerous, never dawned on me to unscrew the barrel

Martin P
7 December 2021 at 09:56 #574551
William Chitham
Participant
@williamchitham75949
The micrometers are nice but it is the box that really catches my my eye. I love the catches made from hinges but what are the dovetailed in pieces for?

William.
7 December 2021 at 10:20 #574556
martin perman 1
Participant
@martinperman1
Its a sliding door which reveals two adjustment spanners.

Martin P
7 December 2021 at 10:39 #574560
Henry Brown
Participant
@henrybrown95529
Lovely Martin, even better that the chap at the garden centre kept it for you. A lovely little bit of history!
7 December 2021 at 10:56 #574563
Swarf, Mostly!
Participant
@swarfmostly
Hi there, all,

Why is my first thought to start all my posts with 'many years ago … '??? Oh, well:

Many years ago, I bought, second-hand, an internal micrometer. Its maker was/is a well-known UK firm (I'd name them if I could remember but the instrument is currently stored away).

On examining my purchase, I discovered that the 0·500" spacer was mssing. I wrote to the makers (it was long before the internet and email!) asking for a quotation for a spare 0·500" spacer to complete my set. Much to my delight, they sent me one, free, gratis and for nothing!! I didn't even have to pay for the postage!!!!

Maybe they deserve recognition for their generosity even after all these years. Maybe I'll dig out the instrument and remind myself and tell you all of its maker!!

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!
8 December 2021 at 07:04 #574638
Howard Lewis
Participant
@howardlewis46836
For a long time, I only associated Ambrose Shardlow of Sheffield with providing crankshafts for our engines.

But they also made precision measuring equipment. Some of which was used in our Standards Room, so must have been good.

For some time, I have had, and use fairly regularly, a Shardlow 15" vernier height gauge.

Accuracy? It checks out as accurate against the gauge piece supplied with it.

Howard
Author

Posts