What is this

[fordboy50]

What is it ?

[Papaw]

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.

[fordboy50]

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

[Papaw]

Need better pictures and any marks or patents on it.

[fordboy50]

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

[Papaw]

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.

[rusty]

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

[leg17]

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.

[Wrenchmensch]

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. 

[scottg]

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

[BruceS]

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

[scottg]

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

[lzenglish]

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

[BruceS]

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.