What is this tool for? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

ValvoStef · 17th Feb 2019, 10:18 am

Morning peeps,

Just going through my tools and have come across this: sort of a Chuck with a lever on a ball. What is this tool called, and more interestingly, what is it meant to do? Never seen anything like this, no idea where it came from or why it is in my possession.

Thanks,

Stef.

Ed_Dinning · 17th Feb 2019, 10:29 am

Hi Stef, it looks like a larger centre finder/ wobbler.

Ed

ValvoStef · 17th Feb 2019, 10:33 am

I see, used in a pillar drill chuck fo finding the centre of a bore hole? Thanks Ed.

Ed_Dinning · 17th Feb 2019, 10:34 am

Hi Stef, Mill, Drill or Lathe it will work on all of them.

Ed

Lucien Nunes · 17th Feb 2019, 11:41 am

To locate a surface on a workpiece relative to the spindle axis, the finder is run in the machine causing the ball to try to swing out on the lever under centrifugal force. Approaching the ball with a surface of the workpiece pushes the lever progressively nearer the axis of rotation until when it is almost on-axis it appears to be running steadily in contact with the surface. At the moment it is exactly on-axis the lever suddenly kicks over. The distance from the surface to the axis is now equal to the ball radius, which is accurately known (mine is 0.100") and can be entered into the readout as an offset.

Station X · 17th Feb 2019, 1:01 pm

I've got one of those, but I find it quicker and easier to stick a piece of fag paper (Rizla) to the workpiece and then slowly advance the workpiece onto the rotating cutter until it's whipped off.

Radio Wrangler · 17th Feb 2019, 5:13 pm

The paper method was what we did at Rolls in the seventies. 'Izal medicated' on a dod of coolant liquid.... 2 thou.

See, there had to be a good use for the damnable stuff!

David

evingar · 17th Feb 2019, 5:23 pm

Who the hell came up with the idea of making totally non absorbent toilet paper ?
I remember being lumbered with it as a kid during the great bog roll shortage during the 70s sometime. We had tto use something similar at school at one point as well

paulsherwin · 17th Feb 2019, 6:42 pm

Back on topic please

17th Feb 2019, 10:18 am	#1
ValvoStef Hexode Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Fareham, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 482	What is this tool for? Morning peeps, Just going through my tools and have come across this: sort of a Chuck with a lever on a ball. What is this tool called, and more interestingly, what is it meant to do? Never seen anything like this, no idea where it came from or why it is in my possession. Thanks, Stef. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Failing to prepare is preparing to fail ...

17th Feb 2019, 10:29 am	#2
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: What is this tool for? Hi Stef, it looks like a larger centre finder/ wobbler. Ed

17th Feb 2019, 10:33 am	#3
ValvoStef Hexode Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Fareham, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 482	Re: What is this tool for? I see, used in a pillar drill chuck fo finding the centre of a bore hole? Thanks Ed. __________________ Failing to prepare is preparing to fail ...

17th Feb 2019, 10:34 am	#4
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: What is this tool for? Hi Stef, Mill, Drill or Lathe it will work on all of them. Ed

17th Feb 2019, 11:41 am	#5
Lucien Nunes Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London, UK. Posts: 2,508	Re: What is this tool for? To locate a surface on a workpiece relative to the spindle axis, the finder is run in the machine causing the ball to try to swing out on the lever under centrifugal force. Approaching the ball with a surface of the workpiece pushes the lever progressively nearer the axis of rotation until when it is almost on-axis it appears to be running steadily in contact with the surface. At the moment it is exactly on-axis the lever suddenly kicks over. The distance from the surface to the axis is now equal to the ball radius, which is accurately known (mine is 0.100") and can be entered into the readout as an offset.

17th Feb 2019, 1:01 pm	#6
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: What is this tool for? I've got one of those, but I find it quicker and easier to stick a piece of fag paper (Rizla) to the workpiece and then slowly advance the workpiece onto the rotating cutter until it's whipped off. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

17th Feb 2019, 5:13 pm	#7
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,868	Re: What is this tool for? The paper method was what we did at Rolls in the seventies. 'Izal medicated' on a dod of coolant liquid.... 2 thou. See, there had to be a good use for the damnable stuff! David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

17th Feb 2019, 5:23 pm	#8
evingar Octode Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Newbury, Berkshire, UK. Posts: 1,770	Re: What is this tool for? Who the hell came up with the idea of making totally non absorbent toilet paper ? I remember being lumbered with it as a kid during the great bog roll shortage during the 70s sometime. We had tto use something similar at school at one point as well __________________ Chris

17th Feb 2019, 6:42 pm	#9
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,943	Re: What is this tool for? Back on topic please