Unknown measuring device

This device was found amongst my later father in laws tools. He was a senior manager in a Birmingham based hot galvanising company and I am wondering if this device measured plating thickness. Yhere is a spring loaded plunger in the lefthand end whose interal end seems to indicate on the scale shown (its very difficult to get out) Amy ideas?

According to the first hit on a Google search:

"The Tinsley Thickness Gauge dry-film thickness measurement is designed for measuring the dry-film thickness of any non-magnetic material such as paint, plastic, etc., or plating such as zinc or chromium over a ferrous base (iron or steel)."

The picture which is alongside this quote shows a virtually identical instrument.

John

Edit spelling

Edited By John Hinkley on 06/01/2023 12:39:46

Thanks John

Does the link say how to operate the device because I can't figure it out in prctice?

Tony

Well, sort of. It seems that it uses a magnetic head which you place on the surface and draw it away against the spring. The force required to release the magnetic head is proportional to the thickness of the coating.

John

Edit.  Tried linking to the Google result, but the iPad didn't like it.  I'll do it again on the main computer, if you can't find it.

Edited By John Hinkley on 06/01/2023 13:07:02

Here you go .....

BSA Tinsley

John

That’s very neat !

MichaelG.

.

Edit: __ and I’ve just found this variation on the theme:

https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DGB1312763A

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 06/01/2023 13:42:15

It works!

This all make sense now as the original owner (my father in law) was involved in the galzanising industry and was sent to the USA after the war to learn of the latest American techneques and this gauge was an item he took with him.

In clearing out my workshop I have found a number of tools and jigs both inherited or made that have been used once i the last 50 years but that I am unale to throw out.

Tony

My mum always wrote what family photos were of and when they were taken on the back. 70 years later, the pictures are far more interesting because they have context. We should do the same with mysterious tools: in a hundred years, someone will open the box and know exactly what it is!

Dave

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 07/01/2023 13:00:03

I would say that applies to items we make as well. My old mate Barrie completed a bracket clock and made the case from Mulberry wood from the grounds of a large house in the village now used as a local educational short course centre. I persuaded him to write a ‘provenance’ of the clock and case with the date, where it was made and his name as the maker, complete with signature. Just a little scroll in the back of the clock but a treasure to find in a hundred years.

regards Martin

Whenever I build a bit of electronic equipment I always put a brief description , key specifications and circuit diagram inside. Might be a sheet of paper or a sticky label if simple. For anything that contains code it's a CD-ROM (mini one if small item) although CD readers are getting rarer. Always include a PDF or similar file as well as any specialst format files.
Not just for future generations, I might not remember whit I did or where the data was put.

Robert G8RPI

It may be of great interest to old car enthusiasts who would like to know thickness of paint, underseal etc.