MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Stanley]

I am going to give it to Tom, he's in the right area. It's not a plane but an antique Carpenter's Square.



Next one?

[Gloria]

Good one Stanley.

[Stanley]

What are these?

[Big Kev]

Is it for 'oiling' something?

[Stanley]

No Kev sorry. Big clue, tackler related so think mill.

[Gloria]

Seen it before, but for the life in me I can’t remember what it is.
Is it for dusting/ collecting stray threads?

[Stanley]

It's a bunch of individual chains. Question is, what did tacklers use them for?

[Stanley]

Total lack of response so I shall knock it on the head at midday....

[PanBiker]

Is it for some kind of anti-static role?

[Cathy]

Or grabbing bits of lint / fluff?

[Stanley]

Sorry . no to all. You are looking at a bunch of heald chains. Used for suspending the healds or heddles in the loom as they were more durable and easily adjusted than strings.... It was a difficult one.
Next object?

[Wendyf]

That was the first word that came into my mind when I first saw the photo, but I didn't have the confidence to say it!

[Stanley]

Hard luck Wendy. You should have had a guess! It was your memory nudging you because we have had then before.
I shall put my thinking cap on.....



What is it?
Yes, you're right, it's a micrometer, but there is something special about this one. You have seen it before.

[Gloria]

Is it for measuring the thickness of sheet material?

[Stanley]

Yes it is Gloria, well spotted. And that was how it was sold but there's another reason why it is so unique.....

[Tizer]

It's not measuring in the usual metric or Imperial units but in units specific to a particular material or application.

[Steeplejerk]

Is it something to do with the locking screws

[Stanley]

No to both. It's measuring in Imperial units, thousandths of an inch.
It is notable for a much more fundamental reason. Think about the date it went on sale..... 1868.

[Steeplejerk]

Was it the 1st ?

[Stanley]

Exactly Tom. The first practical micrometer offered for sale in 1868 by Brown and Sharpe and it was an immediate success.
Next object anyone?

[Stanley]

What is it?

[Steeplejerk]

Is it a jack

[Stanley]

Sorry, no Tom but I can see why you went there... Clue, it's part of something much bigger.

[Gloria]

Is it a brake in a large clock?

[Stanley]

I can see why you got to that also Gloria. Sorry no.
What it is is the ratchet drive on the Low Pressure cylinder lubricator on the engine at Bancroft Shed.....
Next object anyone?