A tale of two micrometers

[Michael G]

Recently Bruce did me a favour and made up some belts for a sander that I was having trouble getting decent belts for. At the time he was saying that he would like to find a 1/2" micrometer, so as one good turn deserves another I set out to see if I could find one for him.
I started looking at ebay as you do and stumbled across this site -
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/m.html?item=171074541099&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&_ssn=jedburghrotary2010&rt=nc
Run by the Rotary club of Jedburgh. I have a soft spot for Rotary, but the interesting thing about these guys is that they are 5 minutes down from the Starrett factory in Jedburgh and so get donations of basically new (or NOS) Starrett gear to sell which they do at a reasonable mark down from retail (say 25%), and proceeds to the club.
Now, while browsing I spotted a little 1/2" micrometer and while Bruce probably would have loved it, I thought that it was pretty cool myself so in a moment of weakness, hit the BIN button. They post pretty quick and so my purchase arrived today. Trouble is, it didn't. I got the other 1/2" micrometer that they had up for sale, so it's going to have to go back.
This one is a wire gauge mic, 0 to 1/2" (0.0001" graduations) with the body made from a piece of hex bar. The spindle is recessed in ever so slightly so it is ideal for measuring wire or sheet metal. As you can see it's compact and comes in a little leather pouch.
304030 304031


Just buy a 0-1" mike and cut 1/2" out of the middle then weld back together. Problem solved.

PDW

Peter made the novel suggestion of cutting down a 1" mic and he may not have realised it but he was half right. The barrel on this unit is 0 to 1", it's just after 0.55" the extra numbers become academic.

As for the second micrometer, well, that story is going to have to wait until it gets here.

Michael

(PS. For those of you thinking "but what about Bruce?", don't worry. It's covered)

[simonl]

Hi Michael,

I bought a Starrett dial test indicator from this crowd about a year ago. I found their prices very reasonable, they also posted quickly and the item was well packaged illustrating that they are aware of the delicate nature of these items. It's a shame they sent the wrong item to you!

Simon

[Michael G]

Well, after a long wait the second micrometer arrived.
This was sort of the one I was expecting...
305846 305847
I say sort of because the description listed it as 0.4" long , 0.0001" graduations. In reality it is 1", 0.001" graduations. Still a nice unit and made in the Jedburgh (UK factory) rather than the usual Athol, Mass. (US factory). Conforming to the original description would have been even cooler as a 1/2" multi-anvil mic certainly would be a rare beast.

These are a couple of micrometer heads that also arrived recently. The first is a B&S (US) 1" with 0.0001" graduations. Condition is not bad - it seemed to still have preservative oil in it although it also has a couple of scuffs as well. Interestingly it has slanted graduations along the barrel for ease of reading - it's a nice idea. It is meant to be a friction sleeve mic but the sleeve is stuck, so when it gets taken apart I'll take some pictures
305845
The other is a little 13mm M&W unit off a Prior microscope stand, ratchet type. Again, still had the gummy preservative oil in it. The green stuff is where it was glued into a tube. Graduations are 0.01mm but in reverse. Don't know what I'll use this one for but it may get a run one day. If anyone needs one let me know though.
305844
The stand itself was interesting. It got banged around in transport and a few bits were broken off but it had a couple of slides with vernier scales so things could be positioned to 0.1mm. I'm hoping to use at least parts of it to mount up some measuring gear. The base should make a good micrometer stand if I can come up with a decent clamp/ bracket arrangement.

Michael

[Oldneweng]

Well, after a long wait the second micrometer arrived.
This was sort of the one I was expecting...
305846 305847
I say sort of because the description listed it as 0.4" long , 0.0001" graduations. In reality it is 1", 0.001" graduations. Still a nice unit and made in the Jedburgh (UK factory) rather than the usual Athol, Mass. (US factory). Conforming to the original description would have been even cooler as a 1/2" multi-anvil mic certainly would be a rare beast.

These are a couple of micrometer heads that also arrived recently. The first is a B&S (US) 1" with 0.0001" graduations. Condition is not bad - it seemed to still have preservative oil in it although it also has a couple of scuffs as well. Interestingly it has slanted graduations along the barrel for ease of reading - it's a nice idea. It is meant to be a friction sleeve mic but the sleeve is stuck, so when it gets taken apart I'll take some pictures
305845
The other is a little 13mm M&W unit off a Prior microscope stand, ratchet type. Again, still had the gummy preservative oil in it. The green stuff is where it was glued into a tube. Graduations are 0.01mm but in reverse. Don't know what I'll use this one for but it may get a run one day. If anyone needs one let me know though.
305844
The stand itself was interesting. It got banged around in transport and a few bits were broken off but it had a couple of slides with vernier scales so things could be positioned to 0.1mm. I'm hoping to use at least parts of it to mount up some measuring gear. The base should make a good micrometer stand if I can come up with a decent clamp/ bracket arrangement.

Michael

Nice mic Michael. I only watched "The Tool and Die Guy" video about this mic a couple of days ago. Very handy.:2tsup:

Dean

[Abratool]

Recently Bruce did me a favour and made up some belts for a sander that I was having trouble getting decent belts for. At the time he was saying that he would like to find a 1/2" micrometer, so as one good turn deserves another I set out to see if I could find one for him.
I started looking at ebay as you do and stumbled across this site -
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/m.html?item=171074541099&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&_ssn=jedburghrotary2010&rt=nc
Run by the Rotary club of Jedburgh. I have a soft spot for Rotary, but the interesting thing about these guys is that they are 5 minutes down from the Starrett factory in Jedburgh and so get donations of basically new (or NOS) Starrett gear to sell which they do at a reasonable mark down from retail (say 25%), and proceeds to the club.
Now, while browsing I spotted a little 1/2" micrometer and while Bruce probably would have loved it, I thought that it was pretty cool myself so in a moment of weakness, hit the BIN button. They post pretty quick and so my purchase arrived today. Trouble is, it didn't. I got the other 1/2" micrometer that they had up for sale, so it's going to have to go back.
This one is a wire gauge mic, 0 to 1/2" (0.0001" graduations) with the body made from a piece of hex bar. The spindle is recessed in ever so slightly so it is ideal for measuring wire or sheet metal. As you can see it's compact and comes in a little leather pouch.
304030 304031



Peter made the novel suggestion of cutting down a 1" mic and he may not have realised it but he was half right. The barrel on this unit is 0 to 1", it's just after 0.55" the extra numbers become academic.

As for the second micrometer, well, that story is going to have to wait until it gets here.

Michael

(PS. For those of you thinking "but what about Bruce?", don't worry. It's covered)
Michael
This morning I checked the Mail Box, & eagerly opened the small neatly wrapped parcel from you.
What a wonderful surprise & gift !

Yippeee, a marvellous Starrett Multi Anvil Micrometer, it has come to a good home & will be always cared for, its also in that sensible understandable & practical, Imperial "Thous".
A very generous gift, thank you so much, & in return I will make, more gratis speciality abrasive belts in #120 3/8" by 21" for you, please confirm if that was the size I made.
Also feel a bit of a dropkick, for not visiting the Starrett factory in Jedburgh Scotland, as I did not realise it was still in operation. (Probably would have spent too much on treasures, if I had have visited.) Always liked Starrett stuff
We were briefly in Jedburgh last May following up on my Murray Clan Ancestors back to the 1600s, buried in a church yard in that area.
regards
Bruce

[Michael G]

Bruce, perhaps you'd better scan/ photograph and post some of the leaflet content that were under the cardboard as I'm sure that they would be of interest to others. If there is a date on the leaflets you might even get an approximate date for the mic.
I'm not even sure that the multi-anvil mics were made in metric but glad you like it. Sorry it's a bit grubby but I suspect that you'll manage that.

Michael

(It was 3/8"x21" - they fit perfectly, so you haven't lost your touch)