Odd little caliper I found ???

[burtonbr]

Going through an old box of tools I had I ran across this but don't know what it would be used for. Figured someone here would know what it was/is for.
It is Starrett and has a little spring activated needle on the gauge that doesn't show up real well in the pictures. I figured it is not complete and there must be something else it goes to. I looked on the Starrett site but didn't see anything similar, and it doesnt have a number on it like most other old calipers and mic's I have do.
hope you can see the pictures well enough.

 

[Dave Smith]

It is a measuring indicator tool on a caliper--I have a starret no. 64 that is similar but not on caliper--it mounts on a post like an indicator--a very nice find!!!---Dave
mine is very handy and yours looks complete

You measure between two surfaces by setting the needle on zero---and then measure on another parallel spot to see if it is plus or minus or right on zero--which would be perfect

 

[burtonbr]

I didn't think it was complete because of the tip. It's a round eye, seems like something should go in there. And the indicator needle always rests at +4 I wondered if it's damaged.
Doubt I will ever have a use for it, maybe if someone else does I could trade it for something useful.

 

[Charley Davidson]

I didn't think it was complete because of the tip. It's a round eye, seems like something should go in there. And the indicator needle always rests at +4 I wondered if it's damaged.
Doubt I will ever have a use for it, maybe if someone else does I could trade it for something useful.

It is an inside caliper for lathe work, it may be missing a second spring that allows it to zero out. I WOULD trade you something for it but I'm closer to you right now than I am my stash of trading stuff

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Show a picture of the back

 

[Dave Smith]

I think your needle may be just bent or out of adjustment or the joint may need to be cleaned and lubed--I still think it is complete--Dave

 

[benmychree]

I think this type of indicator is made to register to one side of the scale; in use the needle will center up if adjusted to do so by moving it against the part it is being applied to; note that the Starrett "Last Word" indicators operate in this fashion, but are also reversable by a lever in back; the indicators like that pictured are not much to write home about.

 

[DAN_IN_MN]

I didn't think it was complete because of the tip. It's a round eye, seems like something should go in there. And the indicator needle always rests at +4 I wondered if it's damaged.
Doubt I will ever have a use for it, maybe if someone else does I could trade it for something useful.

What if you used the bottom edge to read the scale instead of the top edge? Looks like it's at zero now.

 

[kd4gij]

Looks like it is for comparing 2 bores. In the first bore adjust to 0 then in second bore it will show if it is under or over.

 

[burtonbr]

What if you used the bottom edge to read the scale instead of the top edge? Looks like it's at zero now.

If you look close there's a small pointer on top the scale that moves with the eyelet end.
You can see it in 2 of the pics if you look close, I've had this thing a couple of years and just noticed it myself just now before posting the pics. :lmao:

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Looks like it is for comparing 2 bores. In the first bore adjust to 0 then in second bore it will show if it is under or over.

I think you may be correct sir, I could see it working in that way.

 

[george wilson]

I agree. It is a sort of gauge used in manufacturing to compare bores that are already very close to the desired size. You don't have a lot of leeway with the very limited range of that simple indicator.

I think if you were making a lot of the same parts is where it would have mostly have found its use. These days,it is not a particularly useful tool. Mounted on a caliper,I think it would have been very easy to lose its initial setting. Would have to be handled VERY carefully,and when laid down,laid very gently. A tool at the time for a machinist who was already quite skillful and careful.