OK, the forest fire spotter scope thing feels right.
The spotter reports his / her tower location, and the
compass direction of the smoke. I read about this,
decades ago. The towers had a non conductive glass
safe area for the spotter to stand, in case of
lightning.
The rest of your answers sound correct, also. Good job, sir.
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
On 9/19/2013 6:48 AM, Lloyd E. Sponenburgh wrote:
> Rob H. <[email protected]> fired this volley in news:l1eb4g01bp3
> @drn.newsguy.com:
>
>> http://55tools.blogspot.com/
>
> 2977 - paper hanging clip, for hanging orders, etc. from the wall... most
> likely for an agricultural repair shop, since they would be the biggest
> users of small motors
>
> 2978 - anti-kickback device for a radial arm saw.
>
> 2979 - looks like a "beater comb"or "teaser comb" for flax or horsehair
>
> 80-81 no clues
>
> 2982 - I do believe that is a forestry service fire-spotter's scope, for
> use up on fire spotting towers. Two towers triangulate to find the fire
> on a map.
>
> Lloyd
>
"Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" <lloydspinsidemindspring.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Rob H. <[email protected]> fired this volley in news:l1eb4g01bp3
> @drn.newsguy.com:
>
>> http://55tools.blogspot.com/
>
(snip)
>
> 2982 - I do believe that is a forestry service fire-spotter's scope, for
> use up on fire spotting towers. Two towers triangulate to find the fire
> on a map.
>
> Lloyd
That's what I thought at first, but the optics do not appear to be a
telescope. Also the compass rose is not divided finely enough for really
accurate sighting.
I think this might be a cat's eye retro reflecting target for a surveyor. It
could be located on top of a mountain where an assistant points it in the
direction of the surveyor below. A cat's eye retroreflector has a mirror or
partial mirror located at the focal position of the front lens. Surveyors
now use corner cube retroreflectors, mainly to provide a target for lasers.
Back when this was made, they did not have laser surveying instruments, but
a light collimated by the surveyor's telescope would make this target light
up and give him a precise aiming point.
The reticle on the back could be used by the assistant for aiming the device
if the back surface is partially reflective.
It would be helpful to confirm the purpose of this if there were a photo
looking straight into the front, as well as one focused on the reticle in
back while the instrument is pointed at a scene in the distance.
Rob H. <[email protected]> fired this volley in news:l1eb4g01bp3
@drn.newsguy.com:
> http://55tools.blogspot.com/
2977 - paper hanging clip, for hanging orders, etc. from the wall... most
likely for an agricultural repair shop, since they would be the biggest
users of small motors
2978 - anti-kickback device for a radial arm saw.
2979 - looks like a "beater comb"or "teaser comb" for flax or horsehair
80-81 no clues
2982 - I do believe that is a forestry service fire-spotter's scope, for
use up on fire spotting towers. Two towers triangulate to find the fire
on a map.
Lloyd
"anorton" <[email protected]> fired this volley in
news:[email protected]:
> That's what I thought at first, but the optics do not appear to be a
> telescope. Also the compass rose is not divided finely enough for really
> accurate sighting.
I agree that it's not a telescope, but the ones I actually got to use on a
real fire tower had no optics, at all... just a peep and a vertical wire
sight. Their azimuth divisions were just as coarse.
The mounting holes suggest a (semi)permanent mounting, as opposed to truly
portable (which most surveyor's implements are).
LLoyd
"Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" <lloydspinsidemindspring.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "anorton" <[email protected]> fired this volley in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>> That's what I thought at first, but the optics do not appear to be a
>> telescope. Also the compass rose is not divided finely enough for really
>> accurate sighting.
>
> I agree that it's not a telescope, but the ones I actually got to use on a
> real fire tower had no optics, at all... just a peep and a vertical wire
> sight. Their azimuth divisions were just as coarse.
>
> The mounting holes suggest a (semi)permanent mounting, as opposed to truly
> portable (which most surveyor's implements are).
>
> LLoyd
I agree it was meant to be semi-permanently mounted, which might makes sense
if you are making many measurements in a large area relative to a tall
landmark. Perhaps it was used to measure shift of a fault over time.
I have seen pictures of the forest tower sights. While the sights have no
optics, they are far apart and the angle scale is more finely divided. This
instrument is very short so it would not make a very accurate sight.
"Rob H." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I need some help with 2980, 2981, and 2982 this week:
>
> http://55tools.blogspot.com/
>
> Larger images:
>
> http://imgur.com/a/UPX4O
>
>
A couple of wild guesses:
2980: A safety plug fitted to the (expansion) chamber of a substantial
wood/coal fired steam engine. I'm guessing that the core of the male
threaded part is lead filled. The female cap may also be of lead. Female
part removed when testing the boiler at overpressure but fitted during
normal use. This might tally with its location.
2982: An instrument for rough aiming of either an optical instrument
(telescope, panoramic camera?) or artillery. Used outdoors but not
constantly (Protect from weather when not in use). Dowel holes (?) in base
for precise compass alignment.
Dunno. Would say relatively modern and well made. Could be nautical but
think not.
I really enjoy RobH's weekly What Is It. Gives the little grey cells some
exercise.
Well done.
Nick.
On 19 Sep 2013 01:03:28 -0700, Rob H. wrote:
> I need some help with 2980, 2981, and 2982 this week:
Surely 2982 has to be used by a surveyor? What for, I have no idea.
2981 looks like it's supposed to be trawled behind a boat with those
spring-loaded spindles catching onto something, but they don't look
strong enough to use them for any serious purpose.
--
Ted Schuerzinger
fedya at hughes dot net
Now blogging at http://justacineast.blogspot.com
On 9/19/2013 1:03 AM, Rob H. wrote:
> I need some help with 2980, 2981, and 2982 this week:
>
> http://55tools.blogspot.com/
>
> Larger images:
>
> http://imgur.com/a/UPX4O
>
>
>
> Rob
>
#2980 has a fast taper similar to what is used on shafts or pipes to
hammer a shallow well. The first part may be the remains of the tip.
Paul
>> http://55tools.blogspot.com/
>
>2977 - paper hanging clip, for hanging orders, etc. from the wall... most
>likely for an agricultural repair shop, since they would be the biggest
>users of small motors
Correct
>2978 - anti-kickback device for a radial arm saw.
Yes
>
>2979 - looks like a "beater comb"or "teaser comb" for flax or horsehair
Nope
>
>80-81 no clues
>
>2982 - I do believe that is a forestry service fire-spotter's scope, for
>use up on fire spotting towers. Two towers triangulate to find the fire
>on a map.
Sounds possible, though I haven't been able to verify any of the guesses yet for
this device.
>> 2982 - I do believe that is a forestry service fire-spotter's scope, for
>> use up on fire spotting towers. Two towers triangulate to find the fire
>> on a map.
>>
>> Lloyd
>
>That's what I thought at first, but the optics do not appear to be a
>telescope. Also the compass rose is not divided finely enough for really
>accurate sighting.
>
>I think this might be a cat's eye retro reflecting target for a surveyor. It
>could be located on top of a mountain where an assistant points it in the
>direction of the surveyor below. A cat's eye retroreflector has a mirror or
>partial mirror located at the focal position of the front lens. Surveyors
>now use corner cube retroreflectors, mainly to provide a target for lasers.
>Back when this was made, they did not have laser surveying instruments, but
>a light collimated by the surveyor's telescope would make this target light
>up and give him a precise aiming point.
>
>The reticle on the back could be used by the assistant for aiming the device
>if the back surface is partially reflective.
>
>It would be helpful to confirm the purpose of this if there were a photo
>looking straight into the front, as well as one focused on the reticle in
>back while the instrument is pointed at a scene in the distance.
Unfortunately I took the photos a while ago and didn't shoot any through the
eyepiece so I can't help there, but thanks for the information.
>2977, belt buckle? Firemark?
>2978, prosthetic hand for 3cpo?
>2979, something for wool carding?
>2980, handle for some thing?
>2981, device for inducing nightmares in small boys.
>Or, maybe a way of hanging potatos in an oven?
>2982, Wasn't there some thing like this in the temple
>of the lost ark movie, where the guy used a stick and
>lens to point to where is the entrance in the pyramid?
>
>Rob, you did it again. I've really got no clue what
>any of these items do. Friday, well, maybe I'll find out.
Thanks for guessing anyway!
In article <[email protected]>, =?ISO-8859-1?Q?
Uffe_B=E6rentsen?= says...
>
>Den 19-09-2013 10:03, Rob H. skrev:
>> I need some help with 2980, 2981, and 2982 this week:
>
>2981 Hook for squid fishing?
Someone else suggested this to me, I couldn't find any similar ones but I think
this idea has merit.
In article <[email protected]>, Ted Schuerzinger says...
>
>On 19 Sep 2013 01:03:28 -0700, Rob H. wrote:
>
>> I need some help with 2980, 2981, and 2982 this week:
>
>Surely 2982 has to be used by a surveyor? What for, I have no idea.
>
>2981 looks like it's supposed to be trawled behind a boat with those
>spring-loaded spindles catching onto something, but they don't look
>strong enough to use them for any serious purpose.
I agree that it looks fishing related, it was found in Tennessee but I guess
that
doesn't rule out that it's for salt water use.
In article <[email protected]>, =?ISO-8859-1?Q?
Uffe_B=E6rentsen?= says...
>
>Den 19-09-2013 10:03, Rob H. skrev:
>> I need some help with 2980, 2981, and 2982 this week:
>
>2981 Hook for squid fishing?
>
>
Turns out that this one is a surf sinker, also called a breakaway sinker, or
spider weight.
technomaNge wrote:
> On 09/19/2013 03:03 AM, Rob H. wrote:
>> I need some help with 2980, 2981, and 2982 this week:
>>
>> http://55tools.blogspot.com/
>>
>
>
> 2980 is for cracking nuts, pecan, walnut, hickory, etc.
>
>
> technomaNge
Maybe #2981 is for pulling up plant samples off of the bottom of a lake.
It appears that the wires "clutch" when it is lifted
Bill
>2980) Hmm ... what is the material?
>
> If wood, it could be a floating safe to hold valuables. (And it
> looks as though there was a third part which screwed onto the
> other end.
>
> If Metal -- particularly if cast iron, it could be a weapon,
> particularly an explosive (powder long ago washed out) held on
> long pole at the front of an attacking ship. I guess that it
> could also be some form of projectile.
It's metal but I couldn't find a reference for any of the suggestions for it.
Answers to four of this week's items have been posted:
http://55tools.blogspot.com/2013/09/set-511.html#answers
As I also mention on the site, I'll be posting on Wednesday next week. Thanks to
all who participated, have a great weekend everyone!
Rob
On 9/19/13 4:03 AM, Rob H. wrote:
> I need some help with 2980, 2981, and 2982 this week:
>
> http://55tools.blogspot.com/
>
> Larger images:
>
> http://imgur.com/a/UPX4O
>
>
>
> Rob
>
2982: I see it has 32 points as well as degrees.
When the Man Overboard Alarm rang, I'd run up to the flying bridge and
point. Somebody down on the bridge would get the approximate relative
bearing by looking at my arm, then convert it to a true bearing. I'd
lose sight of the life jacket, but we could come back to the spot.
This device might enable a military or civilian lookout to report a
bearing to the nearest degree or nearest point. He wouldn't want much
magnification on a rolling ship. I imagine the lens would normally be
turned down with the lid closed with a canvas cover over the whole thing.
A lookout might report the relative bearing of a small boat, a buoy, or
a reef, for examples. Before radar, a lookout would report ships.
>Reference 2979...
>
>Lived in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. I don't think this is a rice threshing
tool.
>Rice threshing (in the old days) was done by beating groups of stalks against
the side of a wooden container or a large barrel. The object is to knock loose
the individual grains growing on top of the stalks.
>It would then be 'chaffed', usually with pitchforks on a slightly windy day, or
loaded into a mechanical chaffer.
>
>Polishing then took care of the epidermal layer of the rice grain. Final
polishing produced 'white' rice. ( all of the outer layers of the individual
rice grain removed.)
>
>If that tool was used for threshing rice stalks, it would be extremely time
consuming, ineffective, and maybe possibly for harvesting individual batches
from boutique plants.
>
>Otherwise, it would be very ineffective at threshing rice off the stalks.
>
>Just sayin'...
The person who sent me the photos had just returned from a trip to Korea where
he had purchased the device. He was told that's what it was for, you're right
that it doesn't look very efficient, maybe you are correct about it being used
for individual batches. I'm always happy to change my answers when a good
reference is provided, but for now I don't have any better ideas for this item.
>Keep it up, and post more close up photos of everyday objects that we need to
figure out!
Seems like it's been a while since I posted a close up of an everyday object,
but I have something in the same ballpark coming up on Wednesday. It's a small
part of an object that everyone would recognize, but if you've never actually
used the object it would be difficult to identify the small part.
Rob
>2982: I see it has 32 points as well as degrees.
>
>When the Man Overboard Alarm rang, I'd run up to the flying bridge and
>point. Somebody down on the bridge would get the approximate relative
>bearing by looking at my arm, then convert it to a true bearing. I'd
>lose sight of the life jacket, but we could come back to the spot.
>
>This device might enable a military or civilian lookout to report a
>bearing to the nearest degree or nearest point. He wouldn't want much
>magnification on a rolling ship. I imagine the lens would normally be
>turned down with the lid closed with a canvas cover over the whole thing.
>
>A lookout might report the relative bearing of a small boat, a buoy, or
>a reef, for examples. Before radar, a lookout would report ships.
Sounds like that would work but I sure don't know if it's correct or not. I'll
mention your idea to the owner the next time I see him at the flea market. I had
sent photos of this device to several surveying sites but none of them could
help.
>A couple of wild guesses:
>
>2980: A safety plug fitted to the (expansion) chamber of a substantial
>wood/coal fired steam engine. I'm guessing that the core of the male
>threaded part is lead filled. The female cap may also be of lead. Female
>part removed when testing the boiler at overpressure but fitted during
>normal use. This might tally with its location.
I'll ask the owner what kind of metal it appears to be made from.
>2982: An instrument for rough aiming of either an optical instrument
>(telescope, panoramic camera?) or artillery. Used outdoors but not
>constantly (Protect from weather when not in use). Dowel holes (?) in base
>for precise compass alignment.
>Dunno. Would say relatively modern and well made. Could be nautical but
>think not.
>
>I really enjoy RobH's weekly What Is It. Gives the little grey cells some
>exercise.
>Well done.
>Nick.
Thanks for the guesses, I'll add them to my list of suggestions to be forwarded
on to the owners.
In article <[email protected]>, Rob H. says...
>
>>A couple of wild guesses:
>>
>>2980: A safety plug fitted to the (expansion) chamber of a substantial
>>wood/coal fired steam engine. I'm guessing that the core of the male
>>threaded part is lead filled. The female cap may also be of lead. Female
>>part removed when testing the boiler at overpressure but fitted during
>>normal use. This might tally with its location.
>
>
>I'll ask the owner what kind of metal it appears to be made from.
Looks like my guess was incorrect, just heard back from the owner who wrote:
"It is made of Rock, and the smaller piece seems to be made of slate, it is
definitely not metal."
>It would appear to be a connection on an extending rod system - the wooden
>poles having rotted.
>We had a similar set for drain unblocking, but had brass connectors.
>Is the "egg" piece hollow? is there place for a rod in the top of the
>connecting piece?
>If not maybe the upper part is a replaceable tip which gets damaged in use.
>
>if solid, the "egg" part is a connector to another missing piece (I assume
>a rod).
I don't think that the smaller part is hollow, I'll send your comments on to the
owner and see what he says. Thanks
On Thu, 19 Sep 2013 20:50:33 +0100, Rob H. <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> #2980 has a fast taper similar to what is used on shafts or pipes to
>> hammer a shallow well. The first part may be the remains of the tip.
>>
>> Paul
>
>
> I'll do some searching to see what I can find on that. Thanks
>
It would appear to be a connection on an extending rod system - the wooden
poles having rotted.
We had a similar set for drain unblocking, but had brass connectors.
Is the "egg" piece hollow? is there place for a rod in the top of the
connecting piece?
If not maybe the upper part is a replaceable tip which gets damaged in use.
if solid, the "egg" part is a connector to another missing piece (I assume
a rod).
--
It's a money /life balance.
On 19 Sep 2013 01:03:28 -0700, Rob H. <[email protected]> wrote:
>I need some help with 2980, 2981, and 2982 this week:
>
>http://55tools.blogspot.com/
>
>Larger images:
>
>http://imgur.com/a/UPX4O
>
>
>
>Rob
2981 - Lure-recovery gadget for recovering fishing lures caught in
weeds and branches.
>>
>>I'll ask the owner what kind of metal it appears to be made from.
>
>Looks like my guess was incorrect, just heard back from the owner who wrote:
>
>"It is made of Rock, and the smaller piece seems to be made of slate, it is
>definitely not metal."
The size and taper-thread makes me think of an old insulator -
telegraph / electrical / - but very weathered & worn .. burnt ?
- no skirts left .. ?
John T.
--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: [email protected] ---
On 2013-09-19, Rob H <[email protected]> wrote:
> I need some help with 2980, 2981, and 2982 this week:
>
> http://55tools.blogspot.com/
>
> Larger images:
>
> http://imgur.com/a/UPX4O
Posting from Rec.crafts.metalworking as always. Where are *you*
posting from, since these are cross-posted to three newsgroups.
2977) Intersting. I would like more views of it.
At first thought, I considered it to be an advertising belt
buckle, but the single hole at the top -- only on the back plate
is not right for that. Perhaps something to hold a few dollar
bills (or larger) in something contoured to fit a hip pocket.
2978) Anti-kickback fingers for a circular saw -- either a table saw
or a radial arm saw.
2979) I think for hand carding wool or flax.
2980) Hmm ... what is the material?
If wood, it could be a floating safe to hold valuables. (And it
looks as though there was a third part which screwed onto the
other end.
If Metal -- particularly if cast iron, it could be a weapon,
particularly an explosive (powder long ago washed out) held on
long pole at the front of an attacking ship. I guess that it
could also be some form of projectile.
2981) I have no idea what it was made to be, but I can see at least
one possible use for it. A cylindrical roll of twine could
slide over the upper part, and the fingers could catch the twine
to keep it from unwinding under gravity -- but if you grab the
end and pull, the spring loaded fingers will release in turn
until you have as much as you want and then cut off, leaving the
remainder of the twine waiting for the next need.
Rather nicely made, too.
Now to post this and see what others have suggested.
Enjoy,
DoN.
--
Remove oil spill source from e-mail
Email: <[email protected]> | (KV4PH) Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---
> >2982 - I do believe that is a forestry service fire-spotter's scope, for
> >use up on fire spotting towers. Two towers triangulate to find the fire
> >on a map.
>
>
> Sounds possible, though I haven't been able to verify any of the guesses yet
> for
> this device.
Back in my boy scout days (c. early 60's), we came across a fire tower
and were invited up by the ranger for a tour. I remember him showing us
the sighting device... and it was nothing like 2982
Did a little Googling and came up with this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_Fire_Finder
I'm 100% sure that this is device employed in that tower. While I
suppose it's possible 2982 could be used for the purpose... I suspect
not.
Erik
Posting from my desk top PC in the living room, as always.
2977, belt buckle? Firemark?
2978, prosthetic hand for 3cpo?
2979, something for wool carding?
2980, handle for some thing?
2981, device for inducing nightmares in small boys.
Or, maybe a way of hanging potatos in an oven?
2982, Wasn't there some thing like this in the temple
of the lost ark movie, where the guy used a stick and
lens to point to where is the entrance in the pyramid?
Rob, you did it again. I've really got no clue what
any of these items do. Friday, well, maybe I'll find out.
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
On 9/19/2013 4:03 AM, Rob H. wrote:
> I need some help with 2980, 2981, and 2982 this week:
>
> http://55tools.blogspot.com/
>
> Larger images:
>
> http://imgur.com/a/UPX4O
>
>
>
> Rob
>