Tool Gloats! What did you buy? We wanna see it!

[pdentrem]

Funny that you mention steam engines as I happen to help maintain a few! I have a Starrett 696 that came to me from a ship mechanic and I can't see how it's meant to work. I suspect the plunger is fully retracted and seized, as the needle doesn't move and the gauge seems to have no movable part. All the rods are there and nothing else seems neglected/abused, so maybe it can work again? I'm curious if you could tell me how it's supposed to work, or if you've got an exploded diagram that'd help me see what's up with mine.

I had found this https://www.dnc-testing.com/assets/696Z Crankshaft Distortion Dial - Strain Gage.pdf. Maybe call Starrett about rebuilding the indicator?
Also found a couple YouTube videos in the ship engine areas showing the use of the tool.

 

[AllenHendey]

I had found this https://www.dnc-testing.com/assets/696Z Crankshaft Distortion Dial - Strain Gage.pdf. Maybe call Starrett about rebuilding the indicator?
Also found a couple YouTube videos in the ship engine areas showing the use of the tool.

Thanks! From your link I found the earlier name of this gauge (Hartford Steam Boiler engine strain gauge), and searching that I found this video

(relevant content starts 15 minutes in)
that tells me what I needed to know.

 

[pdentrem]

The one I have was in a black box like seen here. Totally rotten due to leaky roof in the shed.
Pierre