I have been given a set of calipers. Big deal. This tool is made from 2 strips of metal 1/8 th thick by 5/8 ths wide, S shaped, joined together to act as outside measure and rotating at the mid point of each. Fine.
However when in the closed position it is 1.1 meters, or nearly 4 ft in length and when opened at right angles the inside measurement is 14 inches.
Has anybody any idea who would have used such a large tool, what trade, or where?
A mistery to me. Many thanks. flonji
Replies
It sounds like something a patternmaker might use.
-Steve
Steve.
Yes, a logical assumption. Are there any pattern makers left ?. A lost trade and vanishing tools. Have had my eyes open for a used patttern makers vice - for carving purposes - for a long time but to no avail. Thanks
Flonji.
"Are there any pattern makers left ?"
There are, but they mostly use CNC mills, and I don't think they make the patterns out of wood much anymore.
-Steve
There's not many left. I know of one in my area. Used to be a lot more. There's a fairly new method, 15 years old ,where the mold is made on a 3D printer. Eliminates any need for patterns. Literally one can store thousands of digiral pattern on a hard drive or disc.
Patternmakers vises show up on E-bay fairly regularly and go from $500 to $800. Best alternative is the get the smaller clone for $200. I've never had to pay more than $350 for the full size Emmerts I have.
Edited 11/12/2007 2:10 pm ET by RickL
Are there any pattern makers left ?
There are a few of us still consuming oxygen. And yes some of us still do not have CNC, still make most patterns out of sugar pine and mahogany and have large calipers hanging by the lathe. There is a set of 30"calipers just barely visable in the upper left corner of the first photo. This lathe is homemade and will swing just over 8' dia x 2' deep on a faceplate or 8' long x 2' dia over the bed. The headstock will swivel 7 1/2° either direction for turning draft and will slide 30" back or 6" forward on ways. The bed will move apx 2' on ways on the floor.
The Professional Termite
Edited 11/13/2007 11:36 am ET by trialnut
Now that is seriously beautiful. Getting on for bigger than my workshop!
Did you build it in-situ or just carry it in and move it around until it matched the surroundings?
I am turning green with envy, just love things I could not possibly move.
mufti
I can't take claim to this one. The father of the 78 yr old man who presently runs the shop built it. I have used it many times as I used to work there full time. Now I just sub for him when he takes on more than he can handle alone. There are several other pieces of equiptment that his dad also built in the shop. I will post some pics of them as soon as I can get my puter to let me. Seems to be resisting the idea right now. The lathe was buit in when the shop was erected as the ways are right in the poured floor. Bride just hollered that supper is ready so have to run for now.
RichThe Professional Termite
Well I'll be damned!. Another actual living breathing Pattern Maker! No, there's not many left for sure. I particularly appreciated the paint pot on the bench next to your Lathe. Hmm.....looks like either Kint Collins or Freeman Gray if i had to guess. I still turn on my wadkin gap lathe on occasion. I have an old Oliver #26 gap lathe in storage now that is a lathe for sure. 4 foot in board (table rolled back of course) and got knows how big outboard, we used to have a pit to turn below the floor line. I apprenticed starting in 77 in a small job shop. Have watched the trade change and am honored to have witnessed what i perceive to be the end of an amazing era in American (if not human) industrial history.
Says there your in the WNY area. Is that so?
Regards,Jeff
Yep, I'm in Olean. How close are you to there?
RichThe Professional Termite
My great Grand Dad was a patern maker, first for some company in Mich (I assume one of the big three) then latter after he retired to Calif. He worked durring the war for one of the Airplane companies out thier. Never meet the man but I would have liked to.
Doug
Rich,I apprenticed in Buffalo, then moved to Rochester and worked for Gleason Works, then moved back, worked for another good quality job shop then started my own shop in 1985. I now live in Holland, not far from Arcade.Olean huh?. I visit West Penn often to marvel at the exotics and spend gobs of money then marvel at the paucity of board ft i purchased!Jeff
Jeff. Been through Holland many times, even been to the track a few times. Back in the early 70s I worked at Motorola in Arcade. I presently live about 8 blocks from West Penn Hardwoods. Sometime when you are going to be in the area give me a shout through email and maybe we can get together over a cup of coffee and swap lies for a spell. RichThe Professional Termite
Rich, sounds good, i sent an e-mail your way, let me know if you got it.Jeff
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