Any idea on what this item is?

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Posted by Nigel Graham 2 on 07/02/2021 11:03:30:

I'd 'go with the scientific uses – part of an instrument for regular use or in teaching;

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I would conclude someone adapted this rotary-table for a very different purpose from original, and I don't think "original" was on even a small jig-borer or engraving machine by any commercial manufacture. I doubt the adapting was by a manufacturing concern either. Unless perhaps under the exigencies of either World War, it would have been more much efficient, reliable and economical to purchase a machine-shop class rotary-table and add the locally-made jigs and fixtures.

Its being mated with a T-slotted slide, suggests to me that Lindsay has acquired the mortal remains of a home-made jig-borer or compound-table for a bench-drill. Or possibly something assembled from bits in a university workshop for use in the Physics Department?

Hi Nigel, I think it is a good possibility and I was thinking that it may have been made by or for a University student as part of his own studies, and maybe even for photography uses. As it is, the base and table are obviously a marriage, but could have been done in house by a commercial company.

Regards Nick.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 07/02/2021 11:24:20

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

The tee slotted table would have gone in the scrap bin of any self respecting factory, it's too advanced for a school workshop – the slots are very wobbly, just look at the edges. So the base has come from someone else's shed not the original builder.

Someone had a thread cutting lathe, but no access to larger bar stock as there is no reason for two fixing rings otherwise unless the original base was wood.

I think this was made in a shed to drive something accurately that moved very easily through 90deg via the slot and stood off from the table surface by the pins or there would be scuffs showing.

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

I think the slotted table is a later addition. The worm and wheel part could be off a gunnery range finder with the addition of a telescope. I have a bronze worm and wheel with a micrometer thimble which once was part of an admiralty range finder and reads seconds of arc. I have to say mine is higher quality with a sprung loaded worm and a micrometer around 1 1/2" dia. Several of these were at one time repurposed for the prototype X-ray diffractometers being developed at the time (40's-50's) in Cambridge and at the Davy/Faraday Lab.

I snaffled it during a clear out at work partially because I thought it could be usefull and partially because I couldn't stand to see it junked. (I have a lot of thinks like that).

regards Martin

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I would vote for the old optical device of some type. There is little to stop dirt getting in to the works, so I think it would be used in a clean enviroment.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Posted by Dave Halford on 07/02/2021 11:38:30:

The tee slotted table would have gone in the scrap bin of any self respecting factory,

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Hi Dave, don't delude yourself too much, I worked for one for many years and you might be surprised at some of the in house rubbish they would use and I've also seen in other factories where I've worked as a contractor in other employments also, one or two well know companies at least.

Regards Nick.

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