Help identifying some tools

Hi folks.

Hoping some of you may be able to help me identify some tools. I'm helping the family of an engineer, who unfortunately died, to sort out and sell up his workshop. I'm at the beginnings of my machining journey and, whilst I like to think I'm quite astute, there are some bits of kit here that have me utterly stumped.

I will post up these items as individual comments to make replies easier.

Thanks ever so much in advance for any assistance in identifying and, even better if possible, valuing these items.

Jay

1. Some type of micrometer I've never seen before

Photo #4 in your album looks like an Etalon height gage.

2. "Gresham Instrumatic" universal hardness tester

I've spoken to Bowers Group, who now own CV Instruments, however they've said this unit goes way back beyond their records

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 10/09/2021 10:04:14

Thanks for that Mike, yes that's correct. Any idea of value on it? It's been very well cared for.

Thanks

Jay

3. I have no idea. There are two of these, one of which has a note stick inside the box describing face angles, I should have taken a picture of it, I will do so when I go back this afternoon.

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 10/09/2021 10:04:33

4. Budenberg air dead-weight tester.

I've emailed Budenberg but had no response thus far. I'm wondering if this is something that may have significantly more value if I have it tested/calibrated. Also not sure if there's any other kit/accessories that might go with it that I should keep an eye out for?

5. Scientific Instruments thermocouple test-set.

Mod edits: rotated pictures.

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 10/09/2021 10:05:52

Hi Jay,

No. 1 look like a very accurate micrometer heads, hence the large barrel that can accommodate more graduations.

No. 4 is for probably for calibrating pressure transducers and pressure gauges, using calibrated weights (hence the "dead weight" and an accurately made piston/cylinder assembly.

The micrometer heads are large diameter high precision ones. Commonly found in some sort of mounting frame. Often used as part of special test equipment. Bench micrometers are probably the most common commercially supplied items using these. Very expensive new.

The device with a micrometer and sprit level is a clinometer. Set it on a nominally level surface, adjust the micrometer so the level bubble is central, turn through 180° and red-adjust the micrometer until the bubble is again central. Movement distance of the micrometer lets you calculate the tilt of the surface.

Last picture in the album is a precision AvoMeter. Probably very rare now so may have collector value. Generally used with other equipment as part of electrical calibration set-ups.

Thermocouple test set probably came from the same lab as the Avo.

Four magnetic bases of the type commonly used to hold indicators et al. Medium quality when new. Commodity things these days. Maybe £10 - £20 'cos they have nice boxes.

Rethreading files have teeth the same shape as the specified thread so a damaged thread can be filed back to shape close enough to allow a nut to run down it or a bolt to be screwed in. Bodgers tool but sometimes essential. Can be found new for maybe £10 ish, yours are proper brand names so probably better quality. Box should give sizes.

The Mitutoyo indicator would be used in a test stand to verify whether components are within specifications. Two moveable arms set the limits. If the indicator needle is between them the component is OK. High quality meter but not of great value now. Mitutoyo still supply such things so a search should find a representative new price. Maybe get 10-15% of that on E-Bay.

Clive

Edited By Clive Foster on 10/09/2021 10:30:02

Hi Jay, some info on M&W large micrometer heads.

Regards Nick.

Thanks ever so much guys. The more mundane items, not listed in this thread I've just uploaded ready to put up on the classifieds.

If anyone can think of any more appropriate forums to list the more specialised gear, or can think of anyone who might be interested in any of it, please feel free to tag them or pm me for contact details.

Thanks again

Jay

Another nice find. Unfortunately I've no key for the lock, but was able to pick it open thanks to my other hobby 😉

Sorry admin, I can't figure out how to turn them myself so I'll have to keep you busy 🤷

The micrometers are Drum types. The large diameter barrel allows the graduations to be wide apart, so that they can be subdivided, probably into tenths of a thou instead of thous on an normal micrometer barrel.

Possibly, they came from Height Micrometers.

The Budenberg tester is used to calibrate pressure gauges.

The various pressures are obtained by loading a disc of known specific weight onto the plunger with the gauge to be calibrated fitted to the connection. The pump is then used to increase the pressure, until the weight just "floats"

This allows the gauge reading to be compared with what it should be, and corrected if need be..

This procedure is repeated for each increment of the gauge graduations; probably in 10 psi steps.

It is very good piece of kit, if all the weights are there. There should be at least ten, to cover from 10 psi upto 100 psi.

The electrical device, Pye Scientific Instruments is used to check Thermocouples, to measure their ouput, and again, to calibrate a electronic temperature measuring set up (Thermocouple connected to a sensitive moving coil meter, measuring milliVolts, but probably graduated in degrees C. )

All this stuff, including the Toolmakers cabinet should be quite valuable. Most of it would have come from a Standards Room, or Cakibration Room, and would have been very carefully looked after..

The kind of kit that one would be a joy to own, but have no actual immediate use for it! (On a shelf, I have two drum micrometers for which I have yet to find a use )

Howard  Fat fingers strike again!

Edited By Howard Lewis on 10/09/2021 19:14:55

Edited By Bo'sun on 10/09/2021 21:41:39

Edited By Bo'sun on 10/09/2021 21:58:05

Edited By Bo'sun on 10/09/2021 21:54:38

The large barrel micrometer heads are tenth-reading micrometers. Mine came off a measuring stage.

Thanks for that Howard. From a few labelling plates I've found in the tool chest, I think the guy actually made measuring instruments of some description. So that would all fit...

His wife seems quite determined to throw everything in the filing cabinets away but I think I'm going to make a point of asking for a look-see!

Jay can I ask where about in the country are you ?

Roy

In Reading Roy.