Hofmann Rollers

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Hofmann Rollers

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  • #808121
    Martin Kyte
    Participant
      @martinkyte99762

      Came across a set of Hofmann Rollers a couple of days ago. Would someone like to enlighten me as to their function and usage please and fill a gap in my knowledge.

      Thanks Martin

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      #808126
      Julie Ann
      Participant
        @julieann

        I used mine for gauging the width of the slot in an expansion link. The expansion link slot was CNC milled a couple of thou undersize and draw filed to fit the appropriate Hoffmann roller. The matching die block was then filed to fit the slot.

        For anyone who doesn’t know, these are Hoffmann rollers:

        Hoffmann Rollers

        Although they don’t look it the height and diameter for each roller are the same.

        Julie

        #808131
        Nigel Graham 2
        Participant
          @nigelgraham2

          You can also use such rollers for calibrating measuring instruments.

          #808142
          duncan webster 1
          Participant
            @duncanwebster1

            If you have absolutely nothing more interesting to do you could have a read at this from NPL

            #808144
            Charles Lamont
            Participant
              @charleslamont71117

              They can be useful for measuring things like the width of a dovetail (with a bit of trig.)

              #808148
              Martin Kyte
              Participant
                @martinkyte99762

                <p style=”text-align: left;”>Thanks for the replies, simpler than I thought.</p>

                #808159
                gerry madden
                Participant
                  @gerrymadden53711

                  As someone who’s first employment was at the site of the company that made these things, I have been on the lookout for a good set for a while. Sadly, the remaining sets all seem to have at least one part missing, have an excess of corrosion or have been dreadfully abused during industrial activity by people like Julie  🙂 . These poor things should never have been allowed to leave the standards room.

                  Gerry

                  #808163
                  howardb
                  Participant
                    @howardb

                    A tidy set of these is available from G & M tools – £25 + postage

                    Set of Hoffman Rollers 80210006

                    #808165
                    gerry madden
                    Participant
                      @gerrymadden53711

                      Lots of rust staining on the lids padding, but none on the rollers. However the rollers are rather matt in texture suggesting a touch of cleaning has been going on, which isn’t good for the dimensions.

                      Gerry

                      #808197
                      Bo’sun
                      Participant
                        @bosun58570

                        Anyone know if they made a metric version?

                        #808210
                        JasonB
                        Moderator
                          @jasonb

                          Is there any advantage over their length/dia proportions compared to a set of pin gauges which tend to all be one length? Metric Pin gauges are available.

                          Also why the name rollers and not “gauge cylinders” or similar as they just seem to be a round gauge block.

                          #808216
                          gerry madden
                          Participant
                            @gerrymadden53711

                            As far as I know, metric versions were never made.

                            As regards their use Jason, if I’m honest, I think they were more of a sales advertising gimmick, than a serious metrology tool. They certainly weren’t the most accurate rollers that could be made, and their short length is a handicap. I don’t think I have seen any with an original inspection certificate….but I may be wrong.

                            Gerry

                            #808218
                            Michael Gilligan
                            Participant
                              @michaelgilligan61133

                              It is curious [and nothing more than that] to see that although specifically produced in Imperial dimensions … the document linked by Duncan cites millimetres for all the checks.

                              MichaelG.

                              #808220
                              JasonB
                              Moderator
                                @jasonb

                                Although the metric values do seem to be based on 10ths of a thou to 4 decimal places and the diameter to half that.

                                #808222
                                Martin Kyte
                                Participant
                                  @martinkyte99762
                                  On Michael Gilligan Said:

                                  It is curious [and nothing more than that] to see that although specifically produced in Imperial dimensions … the document linked by Duncan cites millimetres for all the checks.

                                  MichaelG.

                                  Are you implying indirectly[and nothing more than that] that you cannot measure an inch in metric?

                                  (Tongue in cheek comment)

                                  #808230
                                  Michael Gilligan
                                  Participant
                                    @michaelgilligan61133

                                    🙂

                                    #808234
                                    Nigel Graham 2
                                    Participant
                                      @nigelgraham2

                                      Gerry –

                                      Rather than handicap, those ones are not short for a specific reason, perhaps – such as using with a sine bar?

                                      #808261
                                      DC31k
                                      Participant
                                        @dc31k
                                        On Bo’sun Said:

                                        Anyone know if they made a metric version?

                                        Individual balls for ball bearings are available from suppliers.

                                        Individual rollers for bearings are similarly sold:

                                        https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Loose-Balls-and-Rollers-Loose-Steel-Rollers/c23_5043/index.html

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