What is it ?

It is a revolution counter, usually for lathes. Should be instructions on its use. Hold the tip against the rotating unit, count the revolutions for a minute and you have rpm.

thank you i i was thinking somewhere along those lines. any idea on how old it may be ?

Need better pictures and any marks or patents on it.

only marking is on the back it says. PAT.NOV.28.82

Here ya go-
http://www.google.com/patents?id=k1hwAAAAEBAJ&printsec=drawing&zoom=4#v=onepage&q&f=false
US Pat. 268107 - Filed Sep 11, 1882 - Issued Nov 28, 1882
268107, dated November 28, 1882. Application filed September 11, 1882.

It is different than this one, but might have been made by the same company....

http://www.mjdtools.com/auction/graphics/f11/a112321.htm


Edit

Here it is, in 1891:
http://books.google.com/books?id=QyJEAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA188-IA323&dq=%22double+speed+indicator%22&hl=en&ei=8U1pTt6LPNOOsAKI1KGvDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CEQQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%22double%20speed%20indicator%22&f=false

Quote from: Papaw on September 08, 2011, 01:07:13 PM
It is a revolution counter, usually for lathes. Should be instructions on its use. Hold the tip against the rotating unit, count the revolutions for a minute and you have rpm.

Often used in setting engine and lineshaft speeds.

Here is another speed indicator. This one was patented November 22, 1892, and was made by Greene, Tweed & Company of New York (GTC). Greene, Tweed started in business in 1863 as a hardware wholesaler.  I retired from Greene, Tweed a few years ago, and I had made a collection of Greene, Tweed artifacts from the 19th and 20th centuries. I sold almost all of them to the Company Chairman when I retired. I kept this.  It has a bell on it which rings every 100 revolutions.

This GTC indicator was given as a gift to an industrial company by James Howden & Company. That Company, founded in 1857, has had a long history of innovation in the air and gas handling field. Today, it has grown into a major supplier of fans, rotary heat exchangers and compressors. 

Yum Jim!! That is a beauty and in a box too boot!

Here is a more common Wood's patent (at the bottom of course).
I got mine dirt cheap because it didn't work.
Took me 2 or 3 long frustrating tries to figure out why it wouldn't, and 15 minutes to fix it when I finally figured it out.
Spins like butter now.
Life is like that sometimes. 
  yours Scott

Nice tools !   Any idea of value on to top roof pitch folding rule ?  I have its brother.

Bruce
Its all about age and condition.
With inclinometer rules there are only a few models available.  Mine is the last made and most common model, but a solid "good" condition.  Chapin-Stevens, #036.
So ~ $75-100 or thereabouts.

Scarcer rules in better condition bring more.
Same model as mine, but in worse shape? Well you can guess.
yours Scott

I have one like Yours, and the "Wrenchmench", But it will "NOT" go to the Scrap Yard like his tools the Wrenchnench does, ( When he tires of them)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice Find, and please hold onto it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wayne

PS: If you ever need the money for it. as we are on hard times, please PM me!



Wayne

Quote from: scottg on September 15, 2011, 12:17:23 AM
Bruce
Its all about age and condition.
With inclinometer rules there are only a few models available.  Mine is the last made and most common model, but a solid "good" condition.  Chapin-Stevens, #036.
So ~ $75-100 or thereabouts.

Scarcer rules in better condition bring more.
Same model as mine, but in worse shape? Well you can guess.
yours Scott

Mine is a Stanley No. 036  Made ? Early 50's  when the neighbor built his house. The boxwood is nearly mint.

Anybody want to swap it for a set of irons that will fit my old plough plane,  Ohio tool if possible.