Lollipop maybe?

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Posted by Mike Crossfield on 19/06/2020 16:41:17:

Rather puzzling.

I have the same height gauge in its fitted box with all accessories. The box and accessories differ from Bosun’s example. Mine has pretty much the accessories described in Stevegtr’s advert: a scribe, a depth probe, separate clamps for the scribe and probe, and a 1 1/2 inch height standard. All the accessories fit into vertical recesses, rather than cutouts. Does make one wonder if Bosun’s box is original.

I'm pretty sure the box is original. While the blue elliptical label isn't in particularly good condition, you can definately make out Rabone & Chesterman around the bottom edge of it.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Could it be for a circular scriber like this modern example sold by Starrett?

I like the idea the hole is for a calibration block, but the scriber attachment actually looks like a lollipop!

Dave

[Robert ButlerParticipant @robertbutler92161]

As i originally suggested a circular test slip with a handle for ease of positioning if used in the vertical position which would appear to be the correct means of use. Added benefit it prevents the slip from rolling and potential damage if it drops on to a hard surface. Robert Butler

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I have the very same illustration in one of my albums that Steviegtr posted.

It's been there since 2013, strange that.

Regards Nick.

[Mike CrossfieldParticipant @mikecrossfield92481]

Here’s a picture of my Chesterman gauge.

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Good morning,

Thanks for all the suggestions. Regarding Robert Butler's suggestion of a test slip, I'm not sure I fully understand. Test slips appear to be 1.5" pillar shaped affairs. I do however, seem to be short of a test slip, unless the cranked scriber is supplied in lieu, enabling calibration straight from the reference surface.

Not sure if it's relevant, but I contacted the seller, and apparently it belonged to a senior Marine Engineer who served in the forces between 1940 & 1950. It also bears what I assume to be an asset number 471-0315/7.

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

I'd favour the magnifier

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

I certainly wouldn't discount the idea of a magnifier (a good idea with my eyesight), but why the open end to the slot?

[JAParticipant @ja]

I bought a very nice used Mitutoyo height gauge about 10 years ago which has an attached magnifying glass. Even with good eye sight I have to use the glass.

I would bet on a magnifying glass.

JA

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Posted by Bo'sun on 20/06/2020 11:43:40:

I certainly wouldn't discount the idea of a magnifier (a good idea with my eyesight), but why the open end to the slot?

So the end sticks out to be grabbed, there are no finger holes (can't think of the name for those half round finger access points)

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

+1 for the magnifier.

Assuming the magnifier is like the one in Ian's picture an open end to slot will allow the stem to protrude a little making it easier to get out.

Alternatively its possible that there are some other magnifier mounting parts that hang down into the space below. Given the style of the rest of the box you might expect the part carrier block to be larger with positive support for any hanging parts but such enlargement might not have been possible whilst still leaving room for the sliding lid to open.

Clive

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

If the box has a space for a magnifier, it doesn't mean that there was one there originally – it might have been something that could be bought as a 'extra' but which you needed a place in teh box to keep it.

Has any one access to a Rabone's catalogue to see if there was anything listed?

Just a suggestion

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

I'd put my money on a magnifier, like that shown by Ian McVickers.

Both my Height Gauges had folding magnifiers placed in the boxes, to aid my eyesight in reading the vernier scales.

Howard

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Thanks again everybody,

Looks like the vote goes to a magnifier. All I've got to do now is find one. While an original magnifier would be nice (if that's what goes in the recess of course), I guess I'll just have to keep my eyes open for a suitable one. It would have to be hand held, as there's nowhere to attach it to the slider.

Along with a magnifier, I'm on the lookout for a 1.5" calibration block. While I can sort of check zero with the cranked scriber set under the arm (1.0" for the scriber + 0.5" for the arm) against the reference surface, it's not ideal. If you're not very careful, you start jacking the base upwards.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi the scan below isn't from a R&C catalogue, but from a tool supplier from the 70's

A magnifying glass is specified in the standard attachments.

Regards Nick.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Bo'sun on 20/06/2020 14:50:47:

… I'm on the lookout for a 1.5" calibration block. While I can sort of check zero with the cranked scriber set under the arm (1.0" for the scriber + 0.5" for the arm) against the reference surface, it's not ideal. If you're not very careful, you start jacking the base upwards.

.

The Starrett 234 ‘End Measuring Rods’ are very good, but you may have difficulty finding an Imperial one [new] these days.

The ends are ‘spherical’ so it doesn’t matter if it is slightly tilted when you do the check.

MichaelG.

.

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1698267.pdf

 

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 20/06/2020 15:29:50

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Thank you Nicholas,

That just about confirms the vote for a magnifier. As they say, "nature abhors a void", so I've ordered a 2" magnifying glass to fill the void.

Thank you Michael,

I had considered length bars, but unlikely to find a 1.5" one. If I can't find the real thing, I'll try a 2" length bar and shift the zeroing point 0.5" upwards. Better than nothing, and a bit more fiddly, but hey ho. I presume 1.5" is because that's the bottom graduation on the imperial scale.

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Well, I ordered a suitable magnifying glass from that well known auction site, and it arrived today. It was listed as "professional", although I'm not quite sure what that defines, with a glass lens. The lens doesn't appear to be glass, as it doesn't feel heavy enough. I do hate being hoodwinked, so, is there a "non-destructive" way of checking the lens material, before contacting the seller?

Plus. I tried looking to buy 1.00" & 0.50" individual slip gauges, but those I found were ludicrously expensive, so I'm still looking for a 1.50" height gauge setting block, if anyone can point me towards a source?

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Bo'sun on 30/06/2020 15:42:42:

[…]

The lens doesn't appear to be glass, as it doesn't feel heavy enough. I do hate being hoodwinked, so, is there a "non-destructive" way of checking the lens material, before contacting the seller?

[…]

.

It is usually sufficient to touch the lens to your lower lip … a plastic lens feels warmer than a glass one.

MichaelG.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

A steel scriber shouldn't be able to scratch glass at the edge of the rim where it won't show.

Make a block. If you have a normal mike, especially if you can check it against someone else's gauge block then you can measure your home made one. Although convenient if it is exactly a round figure it only has to be a figure you know,

Edited By Bazyle on 30/06/2020 17:34:17

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

You could make a round bar with finely faced ends, using a known accurate Micrometer or Vernier to measure the length. Silver steel?

(My Shardlow Height gauge has just such a Calibration block in the box ).

A 1.5 inch diameter Ball Race / Roller Bearing would be a bit large to store in the box, as a standard?

Howard

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