Thread: What would you use this for ???

The V block and attached arm and scribe might be used on a surface plate to see if the rim of the bowl is the same height all around.

See here for use in metal working:

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...mg.DBmUdmHri9s

The shorter handled bars may have been used for a tommy bar chuck. If the longer ones are tool steel they can be ground into cutting tools. Be the first on your block to have a round bodied skew.

The long one with the dial indicator on is used in metal turning or checking the "run out" in rotating items.

The handle in the front with the aluminium knob is for early Vicmark chucks.

The others could be knockout bars. The one at the back, I need a better photo of it.

The large item with the VEE base is a height gauge and has many uses in engineering. You can set the scribe at a set height and then mark a parallel line across a board around a cylinder etc. Often done on a surface plate as mentioned earlier, but just as easily on any machined surface depending on accuracy required. Can be used like a mitre gauge to repeatedly mark out a dimension in timber or metal.

Another use can be sitting on the lathe bed to help find centre. The scribe can be swapped out for a dial test indicator to check for run out, or the can be done with the scribe by eye. Although the newer versions with magnetic bases and multi jointed arms are better for this.

In the wood shop it can be set and used for repeated height setting or saw blades and routers. Sit the base on the table and raise the blade or bit until it lines up with the scribe tip.


Scriber block

A scriber block or surface height gauge

A scriber block is used to layout lines at a set height from the base, thus its second name surface height gauge or just "surface gauge".
The work piece is held against an angle plate so that it is perpendicular to the surface plate, the scriber block is then adjusted to the required height and used to scribe a line parallel with the table, by sliding the block along the table's surface.
The scriber block has pins that can be pushed to protrude through the base, these can then be used as limit pins to allow the block to press against the edge of the table, controlling its movement in that plane. The upright post can be adjusted to tilt back or forward, effectively moving the scriber point up or down in a controlled fashion, coarse adjustments are made by sliding the scriber along its clamping block.
The scriber block may also be used in place of a dial indicator to detect run out (a variation in concentricity) of a workpiece mounted in a four-jaw chuck. The scriber point acts as a visual reference against which any variation in the work piece can be judged.













The rod at the back has a groove at one end which loos like it may take a cir-clip. Being a similar dimension has it been used as a shorter post for the height gauge???


I would agree it is a handle in the front of the photo but from what I have no idea. The rest of the rods look to be the same diameter as the arm on the handle so may be levers.




You didn't mention what model, brand or type of lathe. Some of the items would make more sense if it was a metal lathe perhaps.

Hi Phily,
As stated the gauge is a surface gauge and the back rod with the ball on the end and clip on other end is a shorter post for the same gauge (I used mine in pattern-making and have a couple of sizes) the others look to be bars to open and close a scroll chuck as is the one with the handle the longer ones I would say could be knock out bar's for removing drive centre and dead centre.
Regards Rod.

Thanks guys, all makes sense now. The lathe is a Vicmarc so the handle fits in with the description as a chuck key. Apparently the old guy did a bit of pen turning so maybe he used the gauge for checking the accuracy of his cuts (not into pen turning so is pure speculation).The bars have a bit of flattening at the ends so knockouts would also fit with the suggestions. All I need to do now is find a good place to store it as I can't imagine it will be used very often! Thanks again. Phil

The one on the front left is a handle which fits in the hole of the threaded insert in a vicmarc chuck to unscrew it off the shaft.
Ted

thanks Ted - it works as well !!

Some I would not have known, but I would have kept anyway!!!