Lovely old surface gauage on ebay – how to make it!?!

[James Jenkins 1Participant @jamesjenkins1]

Hi all,

I was frustrated to miss out on this small surface gauge that sold on ebay last night. I was rather unusual (at least to my eye) and also rather old by the look of it (111 years).

I'm thinking it would be a nice little project to make one, but the gearing used to fine tune the height is a new one for me. Presumably the tolerance between the gear teeth would need to be very tight, so as to not allow movement after setting. Any thoughts on making it?

Do you think the tightening screw on the side is just to hold the scribe point, or does it lock the gears, once the correct height is set?

A lovely little thing, but I didn't really want to pay £40 for it (I went up to £35) and no doubt the buyer is pleased with it too.

Kind regards,

James

[James Jenkins 1Participant @jamesjenkins1]

[James Jenkins 1Participant @jamesjenkins1]

Images here for ease and longevity.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by James Jenkins 1 on 08/01/2019 13:55:23:

… I'm thinking it would be a nice little project to make one, but the gearing used to fine tune the height is a new one for me. Presumably the tolerance between the gear teeth would need to be very tight, so as to not allow movement after setting. Any thoughts on making it?

Do you think the tightening screw on the side is just to hold the scribe point, or does it lock the gears, once the correct height is set?

.

It's very neat, James

As the gearing is a worm drive, I wouldn't foresee any great problem with movement.

Edit: … and If I understand the photo correctly, the screw also locks the worm wheel [sector] in position.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 08/01/2019 14:08:07

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Very nice.

The 'rocking column' design is easier to make, but bulkier,

neil

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Hi James bit confused if you bid £35 how did it sell for £31 ?

I have in the past when missed out on a auction contacted the seller and said if for any reason the sale doesn't go through I would pay the winning bid price, out of 3 attempts won 2 lost 2

H

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

Looks like an apprentice piece to me. Very well made, probably made back when engineering skills were appreciated by society.

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Posted by ronan walsh on 08/01/2019 17:02:41:

Looks like an apprentice piece to me. Very well made, probably made back when engineering skills were appreciated by society.

That would have been many years ago

Tony

[James Jenkins 1Participant @jamesjenkins1]

I need to dig out the chapter on worm gearing, but any suggestions on what pitch would be good for this?

Also if anyone is able to sort out my typo in the thread title I would really appreciate it!

James

[James Jenkins 1Participant @jamesjenkins1]

Posted by Harry Wilkes on 08/01/2019 15:53:34:

Hi James bit confused if you bid £35 how did it sell for £31 ?

I have in the past when missed out on a auction contacted the seller and said if for any reason the sale doesn't go through I would pay the winning bid price, out of 3 attempts won 2 lost 2

H

Hi Harry,

I was including postage in my head, I'll message them – worth a chance.

James

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Posted by James Jenkins 1 on 08/01/2019 17:44:43:

Posted by Harry Wilkes on 08/01/2019 15:53:34:

Hi James bit confused if you bid £35 how did it sell for £31 ?

I have in the past when missed out on a auction contacted the seller and said if for any reason the sale doesn't go through I would pay the winning bid price, out of 3 attempts won 2 lost 2

H

Hi Harry,

I was including postage in my head, I'll message them – worth a chance.

James

H

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by James Jenkins 1 on 08/01/2019 17:09:24:

I need to dig out the chapter on worm gearing, but any suggestions on what pitch would be good for this?

Also if anyone is able to sort out my typo in the thread title I would really appreciate it!

James

20tpi will give you a nice wheel around a 1" blank.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Go on, Neil … Pretty please: Correct the typo for him.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Just thinking out loud but wouldn't the more common rectangular base be better in most instances than a round one?

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