What is this tool?

[A930Rocket]

Picked this up at my parents house today. It probably belong to my grandfather, so it’s at least 50 to 60 years old. My grandfather was a machinist at the Charleston Naval shipyard in the early 1940’s to the late 1960’s. It’s made by the Starrett company. The “tool” is reversible, to hide the point.

What is it for?

[devodave]

Used for marking metal after is has had a blue dye applied to it. Nice looking tool!

[herr_oberst]

Looks like a scribe. Use it with blue or red dykum

It's probably dangerous. I'll send you my addy and take the proper precautions to make sure no one gets hurt.

[fanaudical]

Yep - Scribe - super useful. I have a couple from my grandfather.

[wdfifteen]

It’s called a scratch awl.

[A930Rocket]

I suppose it is an awl, but the point is so thin and sharp... For precise work, I guess you need it.

Maybe one day I can get some blue dye and try it.

[fanaudical]

https://www.grainger.com/category/machining/cutting-fluids-coolant-systems/machining-layout-fluids

https://www.mcmaster.com/layout-fluids/

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by devodave

Used for marking metal after is has had a blue dye applied to it. Nice looking tool!

This and Starrett still manufactures this tool... US made!

https://www.starrett.com/metrology/product-detail/70A

[vonsmog]

I have one of these, use it for aiming the wiper squirters on Porsches and Mercedes. Works great for that and other odd things.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by vonsmog

I have one of these, use it for aiming the wiper squirters on Porsches and Mercedes. Works great for that and other odd things.

Well, that just doubled the value of the tool!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Looks like a scribe. Use it with blue or red dykum

Used on a machinist/tool and die layout table. Layout means e.g., laying out the hole centers on larger pieces of equipment that were headed to the horizontal boring mills (from my exposure).

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by vonsmog

I have one of these, use it for aiming the wiper squirters on Porsches and Mercedes. Works great for that and other odd things.

Great news. The passenger side windshield squirter on my truck has been hitting the lower half of the windshield for the past seven years. Today’s the day I fix it!

[recycled sixtie]

I would use it for making extra holes in my leather belts....

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

It’s called a scratch awl.

Scribe vs. scratch awl are slightly different. For one, the Rockwell on a scribe is higher. Scribes are not used to punch holes in leather, etc. Use an awl. If you don't have both, then it's a moot point, Ha Ha.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Scribe vs. scratch awl are slightly different. For one, the Rockwell on a scribe is higher. Scribes are not used to punch holes in leather, etc. Use an awl. If you don't have both, then it's a moot point, Ha Ha.

Uawl is right Zeke

[Scott Douglas]

That is used to make a line you're supposed to follow when cutting metal with a hack saw.

[gwmac]

I have my grandfather’s, he was a master self taught machinist and much more, I have several of his machinist tools, some of my most valued possessions.

[A930Rocket]

Here’s another, what is the tool, but it’s an easy one. I probably trimmed 100 miles of edging/grass with this in the late 60s in early 70s.

Thank God for the Weedwhacker.

[A930Rocket]

Some more tools I brought back.

The circular saw still has the original blade from 50+ years ago. My dad got it from a relative who owned a Western Auto. It weighs a ton

[A930Rocket]

Craftsman hand plane. Made in England.

This one’s only about 45 years old.