Another,- What is it or was it?

afterburn 549 · 06-01-2023, 06:32 AM

There are two of these, one more simple.
Are made of brass, I would suspect a calibration tool of sorts.
At the thumb screw on the side is a spring underneath for a pull-out quick release and insert a square device about 1/4 in size (pic two) a file end? (second pic)
I would say these were made to be used over and over and look well worn
The pencil-type hole on top is interesting, well it is all interesting.
In the first pic, there is a recess about the size of the quarter, this area looks like it was made to slide in under something for the setup.

Zeke · 06-01-2023, 06:42 AM

I have something similar that clips on a table saw fence and holds rods that have spring steel fingers. IOW, an early fingerboard providing pressure downward and toward the blade. I have the rods and fingers. It's a fifties CM.

afterburn 549 · 06-01-2023, 07:15 AM

No sawdust
It smells of metal and is all oil and grease B4 cleaned up...

I get the feeling the little holes are not big enough to hold much of anything ...
I would like to see a pic of what you have?

masraum · 10:25 AM

Trammel point/pencil head without the point/pencil?

https://www.amazon.com/Taytools-468310-Adjustable-Trammel-Hardened/dp/B07GWDS4Q8

masraum · 06-01-2023, 10:32 AM

Most have the point in the bottom of the body, but there are some that have the point added in separately on the back. Those seem to be more unusual.

Here's a variety of styles.

masraum · 06-01-2023, 10:34 AM

Baz · Baz's Garage

I think Masraum's got it......nice work, Steve....

afterburn 549 · 06-01-2023, 11:40 AM

You guys are great!
It looks definitely like one, just a variation in species.
Thanx!

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

Pardon my ignorance, but how is this used?

afterburn 549 · 06-01-2023, 12:42 PM

Me too, ^^ i think it is used for making circles of sorts.
they will inform us .

MBAtarga · 06-01-2023, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Pardon my ignorance, but how is this used?

You typically have a pair of these. Put them on a yardstick for example your "required" distance apart. Then you can easily transfer that measurement to any object. You could for example use it to check a 911 replacement suspension pan for placement prior to welding.

Zeke · 06-01-2023, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Pardon my ignorance, but how is this used?

Can be a very large compass, or point to point as mentioned.

LWJ · 06-01-2023, 01:53 PM

Well that’s cool!

afterburn 549 · 06-01-2023, 02:12 PM

MBAtarga

Aha!
That explains the pair and one having a pencil holder of sorts!
Thanx!

masraum · 06-01-2023, 02:32 PM

Pretty well covered already
https://www.wonkeedonkeetools.co.uk/trammel-heads/what-are-trammel-heads-used-for

afterburn 549 · 06-01-2023, 04:19 PM

Thanx to everyone again!
This was a lot more EZ than I postulated the outcome.
I thought for sure this would be much harder.....

A930Rocket · 06-01-2023, 06:55 PM

I thought it was a tool to hold a dial indicator.

I have something similar in my toolbox from my grandfather. I need to take a look at it

Jeff Higgins · 06-01-2023, 07:19 PM

I grew up using a pair of trammel points as an apprentice tool maker at a large commercial aircraft manufacturer. We most commonly used them as a big set of dividers when laying out locations of tooling components on what is known as a "surface table". This table is ground flat within a few tenths (.0001") and leveled via jack screws while being shot with a surveyor's transit. We would paint the top of it with Dykem Blue so the scribe lines imparted by the trammel points would show up better.

Not apparent in the photos is that the points are offset. This allows one to twist the shaft in the clamp to make fine adjustments. We would typically use a steel scale to set the distance between the points, since the sharp point will catch the hash marks on the scale. We would clamp the trammel points to a piece of wood, or a piece of aluminum square tubing of appropriate length.

Surprisingly accurate work can be done with these. We were held to a tolerance of +/- .010" when doing this kind of layout work. This experience served me well as I later transitioned to an engineering career, and, at first (pre CAD days), a drafting board.

masraum · 06-02-2023, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I grew up using a pair of trammel points as an apprentice tool maker at a large commercial aircraft manufacturer. We most commonly used them as a big set of dividers when laying out locations of tooling components on what is known as a "surface table". This table is ground flat within a few tenths (.0001") and leveled via jack screws while being shot with a surveyor's transit. We would paint the top of it with Dykem Blue so the scribe lines imparted by the trammel points would show up better.

Not apparent in the photos is that the points are offset. This allows one to twist the shaft in the clamp to make fine adjustments. We would typically use a steel scale to set the distance between the points, since the sharp point will catch the hash marks on the scale. We would clamp the trammel points to a piece of wood, or a piece of aluminum square tubing of appropriate length.

Surprisingly accurate work can be done with these. We were held to a tolerance of +/- .010" when doing this kind of layout work. This experience served me well as I later transitioned to an engineering career, and, at first (pre CAD days), a drafting board.

I am a member of a couple of "vintage tool" groups on facebook. I took one of the pics to that group and got a prompt response. Some of the folks mentioned that some were offset or had fine adjustment screws for getting a perfect alignment. I guess that may not be universal for all trammel points, but I don't have and haven't had any, so I could easily be wrong.