Any information greatly appreciated. 2

This topic has 16 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 23 January 2021 at 17:04 by Oldiron.

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20 January 2021 at 19:23 #20117
Knock-Wood
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@knock-wood
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20 January 2021 at 19:23 #521350
Knock-Wood
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@knock-wood
Hopefully somebody can tell me something about this?
20 January 2021 at 19:45 #521354
Oldiron
Participant
@oldiron
Looks like a Mercer 108/401 comparator stand. Used in a test lab or toolroom. It is a very heavy piece of kit and very stable. Could also be a CE Johansen item as they were almost identical.

regards

Edited By Oldiron on 20/01/2021 19:47:23
21 January 2021 at 08:31 #521423
Kiwi Bloke
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@kiwibloke62605
I have one, but don't remember noticing a maker's name. To elaborate Oldiron's post, if uncertainty persists, the small dia. rod, lying adjacent to the corner of the base casting, fits into the clamp already fitted on the vertical rod. A dial indicator is clamped onto the small-dia. rod. It's a very high quality, and rigid, stand, for use primarily on a surface plate. Horribly expensive new!
21 January 2021 at 09:37 #521435
Bo’sun
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@bosun58570
Another vote for a comparator stand. For inspection room use rather than production. Production comparators would have the reference surface incorporated into the instrument. The name Sigma seems to ring a bell.
21 January 2021 at 17:12 #521552
Dr_GMJN
Participant
@dr_gmjn
The arm and fine adjust clamp look very similar to my Eclipse stand. Perhaps they were a standard item?

It's rock solid, but a bit bulky and heavy to use, particularly the magnet button which takes some effort to push in.
21 January 2021 at 18:32 #521569
Howard Lewis
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@howardlewis46836
The Eclipse stand has, from memory, a 5/16 BSF tapping for the standard pillar. The heavier one shown is a later addition. A good upgrade.

But the OP's equipment looks to be of industrial quality, and good solid kit to have. It may well have from a Standards Room or a Toolroom. so is likely to have been misused.

A good acquisition.

Howard
21 January 2021 at 18:41 #521573
peak4
Participant
@peak4
If you look up something like "cast iron indicator stand" in your favourite search engine, you will come across images such as this one
https://innovative-measurement-technology.co.uk/products/hand-workshop-tools/control-rulers-squares-and-stands/stands/column-dial-indicator-holders/art-250-dial-indicator-holder-with-moveable-column/

Which should give some idea of its use.
I have something similar, again with no makers marks at all.
Mine has a nice black crackle paint finish; I assume mine is US/UK as the column is 13/16" and the cross arm is 1/2", rather than either being metric.
The other obvious difference in mine is the top slot; yours and the one I linked to are T slots, whereas mine is dovetailed.

Mine came without the cross bar and accessories, so the plan is for a length of ½" silver steel and a holder for the end to take my various clocks.

Bill
21 January 2021 at 19:55 #521600
Dr_GMJN
Participant
@dr_gmjn
Posted by Howard Lewis on 21/01/2021 18:32:15:

The Eclipse stand has, from memory, a 5/16 BSF tapping for the standard pillar. The heavier one shown is a later addition. A good upgrade.

But the OP's equipment looks to be of industrial quality, and good solid kit to have. It may well have from a Standards Room or a Toolroom. so is likely to have been misused.

A good acquisition.

Howard

When you say "Industrial Quality" – mine's got "Turbine Dept Sept 69" stamped on it, so I think it was used in a factory somewhere. Once clamped, it's going nowhere…

I'd think if the O/P's stand was used as you suggest, it would have been looked after far better than a shop floor item.
21 January 2021 at 20:38 #521609
Nicholas Farr
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@nicholasfarr14254
Hi, here's a photo of the Mercer 108/421 that I have. Looks a little different than the O/P's one.

Regards Nick.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 21/01/2021 20:40:35
21 January 2021 at 22:32 #521623
John Reese
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@johnreese12848
I have one similar to the first one shown. It was made by Brown & Sharpe. It does not have the fine adjustment screw. Most of the time it just sits quietly in its box.
22 January 2021 at 22:37 #521905
peak4
Participant
@peak4
Not the best of photos, I forgot to do it before it went dark.
Anyone know what make mine is please, just out of curiosity really.
Almost certainly UK/US as the sizes are imperial, ½" hole for the cross bar, so this shock absorber spindle is just too loose. 13/16" for the column.

The base is 6"x 2¾" x 1 ¾"

Thanks

Bill

Edited By peak4 on 22/01/2021 22:38:55
23 January 2021 at 15:14 #522059
old mart
Participant
@oldmart
We have one of the base castings at the museum, I had an idea what it was, but have never seen the whole thing. Our one has a tee slot rather than a vee. To make ours more useful, I milled the rads at the base square so it could be clamped down to the mill bed. I also drilled three holes through the slot to use bolts to hold it down. We already have some tee nuts which fit, I cannot remember what size they are.
23 January 2021 at 16:24 #522082
Oldiron
Participant
@oldiron
Posted by old mart on 23/01/2021 15:14:00:

We have one of the base castings at the museum, I had an idea what it was, but have never seen the whole thing. Our one has a tee slot rather than a vee. To make ours more useful, I milled the rads at the base square so it could be clamped down to the mill bed. I also drilled three holes through the slot to use bolts to hold it down. We already have some tee nuts which fit, I cannot remember what size they are.

Possibly a Starrett 665JZ indicator stand.

regards
23 January 2021 at 16:31 #522084
Oldiron
Participant
@oldiron
Posted by Nicholas Farr on 21/01/2021 20:38:43:

Hi, here's a photo of the Mercer 108/421 that I have. Looks a little different than the O/P's one.

Regards Nick.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 21/01/2021 20:40:35

Nice box Nicholas. Have you got the platen that goes with the base for comparison measurements? I have one some where but not sure where at the minute.

regards
23 January 2021 at 16:42 #522089
Nicholas Farr
Participant
@nicholasfarr14254
Hi Oldiron, all you see is all I have, it was take it or it goes it the skip, where I used to works years ago.

Regards Nick.
23 January 2021 at 17:04 #522094
Oldiron
Participant
@oldiron
Posted by Nicholas Farr on 23/01/2021 16:42:37:

Hi Oldiron, all you see is all I have, it was take it or it goes it the skip, where I used to works years ago.

Regards Nick.

Nice to have though as is. I only use mine on my surface plate as an indicator stand as it is nice and heavy

regards
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