WHATSIT?

[benmychree]

These two identical items are marked Lufkin; overall length is about two inches and about 1/2" wide, the shorter leg is 1/4" wide and 3/4" long and has slightly curved ratchet teeth cut on it, the leaf spring would hold something against a channel milled at the back. Any ideas?

 

[Silverbullet]

They hook on the end of your tape measure to provide good grip with a hundred ft tape or any size really.

 

[benmychree]

I can see that with the slot in the end over the serrated extension, but do not see the function of the leaf spring underneath the top. Does someone out there have a Lufkin catalog of steel tapes, etc that may show how it is used? I have an old Lufkin catalog, but it has mostly machinist's small tools, and a few tapes, it has a notation that there is a separate catalog available of tapes, special rules, etc; I'd think hat it would be shown there.

 

[Tony Wells]

The leaf spring holds the "enhanced" tape in place and in the channel under the curved part. Keeps it from slipping out or being pushed out past the hook.

I don't have any old catalogs but have seen them in use.

 

[silence dogood]

You can buy one at Home Depot for about $30. Yes, it is a detachable hook for tape measures. I'm going to have to go to HD to find out how to use it.