Starrett Wood Box - What's it for?

[patack]

Great find at an estate sale.  Looked all over for a tool that might fit.

Any idea what tool this box is for?
Went to Starrett's site, but it doesn't appear they picture the wooden boxes, or perhaps they don't use them anymore?

Also, any idea how old the box is?

Thanks.

[patack]

Forgot measurements for the Starrett box

13-1/8" tall
7-3/4" wide
7-1/4" deep

[bird]

maybe for surveyors transit ?

[Lewill2]

Their transits or levels usually had a recess for a plumb bob. Still might be it.

[patack]

Thank you, both.
I wonder if I wrote to the company they would help.

Pat

[turnnut]

Pat, one way to find out if they would help, send them pictures and measurements.

go for it.

[patack]

I'll write the company and if I hear back, I'll be sure to post.

Many thanks.

[wvtools]

I have about 15 Starrett catalogs, and looked through most of them.  The catalogs back to 1924 show levels and transits that go in the longer, more narrow boxes.  The 1924 catalog shows the box, which does not look like yours. 

The 1895 catalog shows the No. 99 transit with a tube that looks like it comes off easily after loosening a set screw.  Perhaps it was taken off and stored vertically in the box.  Is there any indication that the inside of your box previously had tube or plumb bob holders (nail or screw holes?)?

I have a big gap in my catalogs between 1895 and 1924 if anyone else on here has any of those. 

I searched Ebay and did not find any other boxes like yours.

John
WVTools

[patack]

Good morning, John:

Thanks for doing that research. 
It doesn't appear to have been altered at all.
I took photos just as I found it.
It is such an amazing box.  I don't know what someone would do with it, but it's awesome.

Do you know if they still supply wooden boxes with the tools?
Wasn't sure how old it was, and still have no idea.
Really surprised me that you have so many catalogs and found similar boxes.

Many thanks.

[wvtools]

I do not know anything about how they sell tools now.  I cannot find my newest catalog, which is 1976.  The last one I looked in was early 1960s.  It could be that they sold a more modern transit more recently, but I do not know. 

Starrett also sold/sells a lot of specialty optical and digital measuring instruments that are not in their general line catalog.  It could be that the case held one of them.

[geneg]

The hardware on the box looks pretty modern (phillips screws & plating)   A theodolite or a dumpy level wouldn't have the long tube & could have fit in the square box.  Look towards more modern catalogs 70's or later.

[patack]

Good morning,

All good information.  My thanks.

I have written to the company through their website.  No direct email address supplied.
I gave them measurements and told them I have photos and hope they'll get back to me.

Fingers crossed :)

[leg17]

Starrett may have made a Height Gage similar to a Cadillac gage.
Can't find a picture of a Starrett but it would look something like these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brown-And-Sharpe-5851-Height-Gauge-/291554926331?hash=item43e2071efb:g:lh8AAOSwqv9V51Xz

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MACHINIST-LATHE-MILL-Machinist-Cadillac-6-Height-Gage-Gauge-/191832364542

[patack]

Starrlett responded very quickly to both of my emails.


Neither the case nor the tool are in their current catalog.

So, now we all know.

Thanks so much for all your help.   

[patack]

Hmm... I don't know where all the post went.

"652 universal bench dial indicator case we know it as a 652ZZ."

And, I have no idea what a universal bench dial indicator is :)