What is this? <PICS>

[Jeff Pilcher]

I've had this thing in my toolbox for years (can't even remember where I got it). I guess it is some kind of a caliper. I am using it try my hand at electrolysis. You might notice that part of it is cleaner than the rest.

I know someone here will know what it is. Thanks for the help.

[Richard Wolf]

It looks like a vessel caliper. One end goes inside a turned small mouth bowl and the other side lets you gauge wall thickness.

Bear

[Doug Shepard]

I'm not 100% sure about this, but I think it might be a proportional caliper for scaling measuments up/down by a fixed amount. I think you lock the sliding mechanism to get the scaling factor you want then measure with what I'll call the 'normal' side. The opposite side then gives you the scaled up/down measurement. That's my best guess. Hopefully someone who actually uses one will weigh in.

[Jeff Pilcher]

Richard,
Your answer makes very good sense. I can see how it could work good for that.


Doug,
You make an interesting point, but the two sides open and close at the same rate.


I just realized I left some potentially useful info out of my original post.
OAL is about 3"

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Sure looks like a caliper that my grandpa used to use on his lathe... THat's my bet.

[Ken Salisbury]

I have deleted several posts in this thread which are deemed offensive.

SMC Terms of Service:
All posts are subject to moderation by our Members and Administrative Staff. Messages deemed offensive by any member may be reported to our staff by using the 'Report Post to Moderator' option. Any message that is reported to a moderator may be subject to removal, in whole or in part, at our staff.s discretion.

[Glenn Clabo]

I go with Richard...I'm no wood turner but in my machnist days we called it an outside/inside caliper which let you transfer the measurement like wall thickness without removing caliper from your work.