what is this mystery pratt and whitney tool?

[Bill Noble]

I originally posted this in the metal working newsgroup, some folks there
thought the part might be recobnized by somone here - so, it's worth a try -
any clues?

thanks:



I think this is probably quite old, but so far I have no idea what it is (or
was part of) - there is another like it that has been sharpened to use as a
boring bar - clearly that was not its original purpose. the one pictured in
the drop box appears to be original - but orignal what, is the question.

here are the links to the drop box:
http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.JPG
http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-2.JPG
http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.txt

Anyone got any clues about this item?

The text file from the drop box is reproduced below:

Mystery Pratt & Whitney tool - the cylindrical shank is exactly .500 inches,
it says on the

shank, the following:

NO. 32
HS.-36
E-12

P&W
MFD CT
Made in USA

it is NOT a drill bit. The part that extends beyond the 1/2 inch diameter
shows a wear line

like it was riding in a keyway. The point seems to be lathe turned, the 1/2
inch shank

appears to be ground
Bill -
www.wbnoble.com


--
Bill -
www.wbnoble.com

[Stealth Pilot[_3_]]

On Tue, 6 Oct 2009 21:51:00 -0700, "Bill Noble"
> wrote:

>I originally posted this in the metal working newsgroup, some folks there
>thought the part might be recobnized by somone here - so, it's worth a try -
>any clues?
>
>thanks:
>
>
>
>I think this is probably quite old, but so far I have no idea what it is (or
>was part of) - there is another like it that has been sharpened to use as a
>boring bar - clearly that was not its original purpose. the one pictured in
>the drop box appears to be original - but orignal what, is the question.
>
>here are the links to the drop box:
>http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.JPG
>http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-2.JPG
>http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.txt
>
>Anyone got any clues about this item?
>
>The text file from the drop box is reproduced below:
>
>Mystery Pratt & Whitney tool - the cylindrical shank is exactly .500 inches,
>it says on the
>
>shank, the following:
>
>NO. 32
>HS.-36
>E-12
>
>P&W
>MFD CT
>Made in USA
>
>it is NOT a drill bit. The part that extends beyond the 1/2 inch diameter
>shows a wear line
>
>like it was riding in a keyway. The point seems to be lathe turned, the 1/2
>inch shank
>
>appears to be ground
>Bill -
>www.wbnoble.com

first guess was a spot facing borer
but the wearline contraindicates that.
maybe a machinable dead centre for some special tooling jig.

[flash]

"Bill Noble" > wrote in message
...
>I originally posted this in the metal working newsgroup, some folks there
>thought the part might be recobnized by somone here - so, it's worth a
>try - any clues?
>
> thanks:
>
>
>
> I think this is probably quite old, but so far I have no idea what it is
> (or
> was part of) - there is another like it that has been sharpened to use as
> a
> boring bar - clearly that was not its original purpose. the one pictured
> in
> the drop box appears to be original - but orignal what, is the question.
>
> here are the links to the drop box:
> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.JPG
> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-2.JPG
> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.txt
>
> Anyone got any clues about this item?
>
> The text file from the drop box is reproduced below:
>
> Mystery Pratt & Whitney tool - the cylindrical shank is exactly .500
> inches,
> it says on the
>
> shank, the following:
>
> NO. 32
> HS.-36
> E-12
>
> P&W
> MFD CT
> Made in USA
>
> it is NOT a drill bit. The part that extends beyond the 1/2 inch diameter
> shows a wear line
>
> like it was riding in a keyway. The point seems to be lathe turned, the
> 1/2
> inch shank
>
> appears to be ground
> Bill -
> www.wbnoble.com
>
>
> --
> Bill -
> www.wbnoble.com

My first guess would be some sort of gagueing equipment. I have run across
quite a few truly odd P&W gages and accessories for gage sets. They were
willing to make some very specialized gages for a lot of unique
applications.

Flash

[Bill Noble]

"Flash" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Bill Noble" > wrote in message
> ...
>>I originally posted this in the metal working newsgroup, some folks there
>>thought the part might be recobnized by somone here - so, it's worth a
>>try - any clues?
>>
>> thanks:
>>
>>
>>
>> I think this is probably quite old, but so far I have no idea what it is
>> (or
>> was part of) - there is another like it that has been sharpened to use as
>> a
>> boring bar - clearly that was not its original purpose. the one pictured
>> in
>> the drop box appears to be original - but orignal what, is the question.
>>
>> here are the links to the drop box:
>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.JPG
>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-2.JPG
>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.txt
>>
>> Anyone got any clues about this item?
>>
>> The text file from the drop box is reproduced below:
>>
>> Mystery Pratt & Whitney tool - the cylindrical shank is exactly .500
>> inches,
>> it says on the
>>
>> shank, the following:
>>
>> NO. 32
>> HS.-36
>> E-12
>>
>> P&W
>> MFD CT
>> Made in USA
>>
>> it is NOT a drill bit. The part that extends beyond the 1/2 inch
>> diameter
>> shows a wear line
>>
>> like it was riding in a keyway. The point seems to be lathe turned, the
>> 1/2
>> inch shank
>>
>> appears to be ground
>> Bill -
>> www.wbnoble.com
>>
>>
>> --
>> Bill -
>> www.wbnoble.com
>
> My first guess would be some sort of gagueing equipment. I have run
> across quite a few truly odd P&W gages and accessories for gage sets.
> They were willing to make some very specialized gages for a lot of unique
> applications.
>
> Flash


Yes, I would agree, though I think it is not a specialty item - maybe part
of something to measure camshafts and the like? I'd love to find someone
who could say for sure what it was

[Dan[_12_]]

Bill Noble wrote:
>
> "Flash" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Bill Noble" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> I originally posted this in the metal working newsgroup, some folks
>>> there thought the part might be recobnized by somone here - so, it's
>>> worth a try - any clues?
>>>
>>> thanks:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I think this is probably quite old, but so far I have no idea what it
>>> is (or
>>> was part of) - there is another like it that has been sharpened to
>>> use as a
>>> boring bar - clearly that was not its original purpose. the one
>>> pictured in
>>> the drop box appears to be original - but orignal what, is the question.
>>>
>>> here are the links to the drop box:
>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.JPG
>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-2.JPG
>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.txt
>>>
>>> Anyone got any clues about this item?
>>>
>>> The text file from the drop box is reproduced below:
>>>
>>> Mystery Pratt & Whitney tool - the cylindrical shank is exactly .500
>>> inches,
>>> it says on the
>>>
>>> shank, the following:
>>>
>>> NO. 32
>>> HS.-36
>>> E-12
>>>
>>> P&W
>>> MFD CT
>>> Made in USA
>>>
>>> it is NOT a drill bit. The part that extends beyond the 1/2 inch
>>> diameter
>>> shows a wear line
>>>
>>> like it was riding in a keyway. The point seems to be lathe turned,
>>> the 1/2
>>> inch shank
>>>
>>> appears to be ground
>>> Bill -
>>> www.wbnoble.com
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Bill -
>>> www.wbnoble.com
>>
>> My first guess would be some sort of gagueing equipment. I have run
>> across quite a few truly odd P&W gages and accessories for gage sets.
>> They were willing to make some very specialized gages for a lot of
>> unique applications.
>>
>> Flash
>
>
> Yes, I would agree, though I think it is not a specialty item - maybe
> part of something to measure camshafts and the like? I'd love to find
> someone who could say for sure what it was


Specialized boring bar? The 1/2" round end reminds me of my boring
bars, but I have never seen a cutting end like this thing has. I suppose
it could be installed in a boring head and used to cut a groove beyond
the reach of standard lathe tools. I'm probably way off, but I can't
think of anything else.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

[Stealth Pilot[_3_]]

On Wed, 7 Oct 2009 21:21:48 -0700, "Bill Noble"
> wrote:

>
>"Flash" > wrote in message
...
>>
>> "Bill Noble" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>I originally posted this in the metal working newsgroup, some folks there
>>>thought the part might be recobnized by somone here - so, it's worth a
>>>try - any clues?
>>>
>>> thanks:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I think this is probably quite old, but so far I have no idea what it is
>>> (or
>>> was part of) - there is another like it that has been sharpened to use as
>>> a
>>> boring bar - clearly that was not its original purpose. the one pictured
>>> in
>>> the drop box appears to be original - but orignal what, is the question.
>>>
>>> here are the links to the drop box:
>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.JPG
>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-2.JPG
>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.txt
>>>
>>> Anyone got any clues about this item?
>>>
>>> The text file from the drop box is reproduced below:
>>>
>>> Mystery Pratt & Whitney tool - the cylindrical shank is exactly .500
>>> inches,
>>> it says on the
>>>
>>> shank, the following:
>>>
>>> NO. 32
>>> HS.-36
>>> E-12
>>>


hey bill, send pratt and wittney an email and ask them.

[Bill Noble]

"Dan" > wrote in message
...
> Bill Noble wrote:
>>
>> "Flash" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Bill Noble" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> I originally posted this in the metal working newsgroup, some folks
>>>> there thought the part might be recobnized by somone here - so, it's
>>>> worth a try - any clues?
>>>>
>>>> thanks:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I think this is probably quite old, but so far I have no idea what it
>>>> is (or
>>>> was part of) - there is another like it that has been sharpened to use
>>>> as a
>>>> boring bar - clearly that was not its original purpose. the one
>>>> pictured in
>>>> the drop box appears to be original - but orignal what, is the
>>>> question.
>>>>
>>>> here are the links to the drop box:
>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.JPG
>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-2.JPG
>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.txt
>>>>
>>>> Anyone got any clues about this item?
>>>>
>>>> The text file from the drop box is reproduced below:
>>>>
>>>> Mystery Pratt & Whitney tool - the cylindrical shank is exactly .500
>>>> inches,
>>>> it says on the
>>>>
>>>> shank, the following:
>>>>
>>>> NO. 32
>>>> HS.-36
>>>> E-12
>>>>
>>>> P&W
>>>> MFD CT
>>>> Made in USA
>>>>
>>>> it is NOT a drill bit. The part that extends beyond the 1/2 inch
>>>> diameter
>>>> shows a wear line
>>>>
>>>> like it was riding in a keyway. The point seems to be lathe turned,
>>>> the 1/2
>>>> inch shank
>>>>
>>>> appears to be ground
>>>> Bill -
>>>> www.wbnoble.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Bill -
>>>> www.wbnoble.com
>>>
>>> My first guess would be some sort of gagueing equipment. I have run
>>> across quite a few truly odd P&W gages and accessories for gage sets.
>>> They were willing to make some very specialized gages for a lot of
>>> unique applications.
>>>
>>> Flash
>>
>>
>> Yes, I would agree, though I think it is not a specialty item - maybe
>> part of something to measure camshafts and the like? I'd love to find
>> someone who could say for sure what it was
>
>
> Specialized boring bar? The 1/2" round end reminds me of my boring
> bars, but I have never seen a cutting end like this thing has. I suppose
> it could be installed in a boring head and used to cut a groove beyond the
> reach of standard lathe tools. I'm probably way off, but I can't think of
> anything else.
>
> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

plausible, barely - but this thing is NOT sharp, I don't think it's intended
to cut anything -

[Bill Noble]

"Stealth Pilot" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 7 Oct 2009 21:21:48 -0700, "Bill Noble"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>>"Flash" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>> "Bill Noble" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>>I originally posted this in the metal working newsgroup, some folks
>>>>there
>>>>thought the part might be recobnized by somone here - so, it's worth a
>>>>try - any clues?
>>>>
>>>> thanks:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I think this is probably quite old, but so far I have no idea what it
>>>> is
>>>> (or
>>>> was part of) - there is another like it that has been sharpened to use
>>>> as
>>>> a
>>>> boring bar - clearly that was not its original purpose. the one
>>>> pictured
>>>> in
>>>> the drop box appears to be original - but orignal what, is the
>>>> question.
>>>>
>>>> here are the links to the drop box:
>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.JPG
>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-2.JPG
>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.txt
>>>>
>>>> Anyone got any clues about this item?
>>>>
>>>> The text file from the drop box is reproduced below:
>>>>
>>>> Mystery Pratt & Whitney tool - the cylindrical shank is exactly .500
>>>> inches,
>>>> it says on the
>>>>
>>>> shank, the following:
>>>>
>>>> NO. 32
>>>> HS.-36
>>>> E-12
>>>>
>
>
> hey bill, send pratt and wittney an email and ask them.

well, that's a good idea - though it is pretty old - I'll try that as we
continue to speculate - also ordered a catalog of the tools from the 30s to
see if I can find it in there

[Dan[_12_]]

Bill Noble wrote:
>
> "Dan" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Bill Noble wrote:
>>>
>>> "Flash" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>>
>>>> "Bill Noble" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> I originally posted this in the metal working newsgroup, some folks
>>>>> there thought the part might be recobnized by somone here - so,
>>>>> it's worth a try - any clues?
>>>>>
>>>>> thanks:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I think this is probably quite old, but so far I have no idea what
>>>>> it is (or
>>>>> was part of) - there is another like it that has been sharpened to
>>>>> use as a
>>>>> boring bar - clearly that was not its original purpose. the one
>>>>> pictured in
>>>>> the drop box appears to be original - but orignal what, is the
>>>>> question.
>>>>>
>>>>> here are the links to the drop box:
>>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.JPG
>>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-2.JPG
>>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.txt
>>>>>
>>>>> Anyone got any clues about this item?
>>>>>
>>>>> The text file from the drop box is reproduced below:
>>>>>
>>>>> Mystery Pratt & Whitney tool - the cylindrical shank is exactly
>>>>> .500 inches,
>>>>> it says on the
>>>>>
>>>>> shank, the following:
>>>>>
>>>>> NO. 32
>>>>> HS.-36
>>>>> E-12
>>>>>
>>>>> P&W
>>>>> MFD CT
>>>>> Made in USA
>>>>>
>>>>> it is NOT a drill bit. The part that extends beyond the 1/2 inch
>>>>> diameter
>>>>> shows a wear line
>>>>>
>>>>> like it was riding in a keyway. The point seems to be lathe
>>>>> turned, the 1/2
>>>>> inch shank
>>>>>
>>>>> appears to be ground
>>>>> Bill -
>>>>> www.wbnoble.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Bill -
>>>>> www.wbnoble.com
>>>>
>>>> My first guess would be some sort of gagueing equipment. I have run
>>>> across quite a few truly odd P&W gages and accessories for gage
>>>> sets. They were willing to make some very specialized gages for a
>>>> lot of unique applications.
>>>>
>>>> Flash
>>>
>>>
>>> Yes, I would agree, though I think it is not a specialty item - maybe
>>> part of something to measure camshafts and the like? I'd love to
>>> find someone who could say for sure what it was
>>
>>
>> Specialized boring bar? The 1/2" round end reminds me of my boring
>> bars, but I have never seen a cutting end like this thing has. I
>> suppose it could be installed in a boring head and used to cut a
>> groove beyond the reach of standard lathe tools. I'm probably way off,
>> but I can't think of anything else.
>>
>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>
> plausible, barely - but this thing is NOT sharp, I don't think it's
> intended to cut anything -


It was the best I could come up with :) I hope you find out what it
is and tell us.

Over the years I have seen many specialized tools that no one
outside the trade could guess what they are for. Somewhere in my
scrounge I have a tool for shaping the points on the end of wagon
spokes. It's good for nothing else.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

[Bill Noble]

"Dan" > wrote in message
...
> Bill Noble wrote:
>>
>> "Dan" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Bill Noble wrote:
>>>>
>>>> "Flash" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Bill Noble" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>>> I originally posted this in the metal working newsgroup, some folks
>>>>>> there thought the part might be recobnized by somone here - so, it's
>>>>>> worth a try - any clues?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> thanks:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I think this is probably quite old, but so far I have no idea what it
>>>>>> is (or
>>>>>> was part of) - there is another like it that has been sharpened to
>>>>>> use as a
>>>>>> boring bar - clearly that was not its original purpose. the one
>>>>>> pictured in
>>>>>> the drop box appears to be original - but orignal what, is the
>>>>>> question.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> here are the links to the drop box:
>>>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.JPG
>>>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-2.JPG
>>>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.txt
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Anyone got any clues about this item?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The text file from the drop box is reproduced below:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Mystery Pratt & Whitney tool - the cylindrical shank is exactly .500
>>>>>> inches,
>>>>>> it says on the
>>>>>>
>>>>>> shank, the following:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> NO. 32
>>>>>> HS.-36
>>>>>> E-12
>>>>>>
>>>>>> P&W
>>>>>> MFD CT
>>>>>> Made in USA
>>>>>>
>>>>>> it is NOT a drill bit. The part that extends beyond the 1/2 inch
>>>>>> diameter
>>>>>> shows a wear line
>>>>>>
>>>>>> like it was riding in a keyway. The point seems to be lathe turned,
>>>>>> the 1/2
>>>>>> inch shank
>>>>>>
>>>>>> appears to be ground
>>>>>> Bill -
>>>>>> www.wbnoble.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Bill -
>>>>>> www.wbnoble.com
>>>>>
>>>>> My first guess would be some sort of gagueing equipment. I have run
>>>>> across quite a few truly odd P&W gages and accessories for gage sets.
>>>>> They were willing to make some very specialized gages for a lot of
>>>>> unique applications.
>>>>>
>>>>> Flash
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Yes, I would agree, though I think it is not a specialty item - maybe
>>>> part of something to measure camshafts and the like? I'd love to find
>>>> someone who could say for sure what it was
>>>
>>>
>>> Specialized boring bar? The 1/2" round end reminds me of my boring
>>> bars, but I have never seen a cutting end like this thing has. I suppose
>>> it could be installed in a boring head and used to cut a groove beyond
>>> the reach of standard lathe tools. I'm probably way off, but I can't
>>> think of anything else.
>>>
>>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>>
>> plausible, barely - but this thing is NOT sharp, I don't think it's
>> intended to cut anything -
>
>
> It was the best I could come up with :) I hope you find out what it is
> and tell us.
>
> Over the years I have seen many specialized tools that no one outside
> the trade could guess what they are for. Somewhere in my scrounge I have a
> tool for shaping the points on the end of wagon spokes. It's good for
> nothing else.
>
> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>

I've written Pratt and Whitney - we shall see if they have an answer -
meanwhile, here is my latest "brilliant" speculation - the ground part is
quite accurately ground to 1/2 inch - I just noticed that the flat part is
tapered in width, it is .194 near the pointy end, and .144 right next to the
ground round part. Further, the width of the flat part (until the very end
where it is much wider) is .565. So, if you now imagine that this tool is
slid into a 1/2 inch hole which has a keyway broached in it that is deeper
than 65 thousandths, then the thing will enter the hole farther as the
keyway gets wider - so that would make it a tool for measuring the width of
keyways.

Now, if my speculation were true, the ground 1/2 inch part would be just
under 1/2 inch so it would be a sliding fit - so I got out my best measuring
tool, an SPI digital micrometer that claims .00005 inch accuracy and I
measured it - sure enough,. 0.49950 - so it is 1/2 thousandth undersize.

This site shows some keyway width gauges
http://www.jayeshentp.com/products.htm which don't look like this at all

There is possible wear on the part that extends farther - it is .695 inches
in diameter - and it goes from .18360 to .19220 - which nicely spans 3/16
(.1875).

Ya think this could be it?

[Dan[_12_]]

Bill Noble wrote:
>
> "Dan" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Bill Noble wrote:
>>>
>>> "Dan" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Bill Noble wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> "Flash" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Bill Noble" > wrote in message
>>>>>> ...
>>>>>>> I originally posted this in the metal working newsgroup, some
>>>>>>> folks there thought the part might be recobnized by somone here -
>>>>>>> so, it's worth a try - any clues?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> thanks:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I think this is probably quite old, but so far I have no idea
>>>>>>> what it is (or
>>>>>>> was part of) - there is another like it that has been sharpened
>>>>>>> to use as a
>>>>>>> boring bar - clearly that was not its original purpose. the one
>>>>>>> pictured in
>>>>>>> the drop box appears to be original - but orignal what, is the
>>>>>>> question.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> here are the links to the drop box:
>>>>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.JPG
>>>>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-2.JPG
>>>>>>> http://metalworking.com/Dropbox/P-W-1.txt
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Anyone got any clues about this item?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The text file from the drop box is reproduced below:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Mystery Pratt & Whitney tool - the cylindrical shank is exactly
>>>>>>> .500 inches,
>>>>>>> it says on the
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> shank, the following:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> NO. 32
>>>>>>> HS.-36
>>>>>>> E-12
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> P&W
>>>>>>> MFD CT
>>>>>>> Made in USA
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> it is NOT a drill bit. The part that extends beyond the 1/2 inch
>>>>>>> diameter
>>>>>>> shows a wear line
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> like it was riding in a keyway. The point seems to be lathe
>>>>>>> turned, the 1/2
>>>>>>> inch shank
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> appears to be ground
>>>>>>> Bill -
>>>>>>> www.wbnoble.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> Bill -
>>>>>>> www.wbnoble.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My first guess would be some sort of gagueing equipment. I have
>>>>>> run across quite a few truly odd P&W gages and accessories for
>>>>>> gage sets. They were willing to make some very specialized gages
>>>>>> for a lot of unique applications.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Flash
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes, I would agree, though I think it is not a specialty item -
>>>>> maybe part of something to measure camshafts and the like? I'd
>>>>> love to find someone who could say for sure what it was
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Specialized boring bar? The 1/2" round end reminds me of my
>>>> boring bars, but I have never seen a cutting end like this thing
>>>> has. I suppose it could be installed in a boring head and used to
>>>> cut a groove beyond the reach of standard lathe tools. I'm probably
>>>> way off, but I can't think of anything else.
>>>>
>>>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>>>
>>> plausible, barely - but this thing is NOT sharp, I don't think it's
>>> intended to cut anything -
>>
>>
>> It was the best I could come up with :) I hope you find out what it
>> is and tell us.
>>
>> Over the years I have seen many specialized tools that no one
>> outside the trade could guess what they are for. Somewhere in my
>> scrounge I have a tool for shaping the points on the end of wagon
>> spokes. It's good for nothing else.
>>
>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>>
>
> I've written Pratt and Whitney - we shall see if they have an answer -
> meanwhile, here is my latest "brilliant" speculation - the ground part
> is quite accurately ground to 1/2 inch - I just noticed that the flat
> part is tapered in width, it is .194 near the pointy end, and .144 right
> next to the ground round part. Further, the width of the flat part
> (until the very end where it is much wider) is .565. So, if you now
> imagine that this tool is slid into a 1/2 inch hole which has a keyway
> broached in it that is deeper than 65 thousandths, then the thing will
> enter the hole farther as the keyway gets wider - so that would make it
> a tool for measuring the width of keyways.
>
> Now, if my speculation were true, the ground 1/2 inch part would be just
> under 1/2 inch so it would be a sliding fit - so I got out my best
> measuring tool, an SPI digital micrometer that claims .00005 inch
> accuracy and I measured it - sure enough,. 0.49950 - so it is 1/2
> thousandth undersize.
>
> This site shows some keyway width gauges
> http://www.jayeshentp.com/products.htm which don't look like this at all
>
> There is possible wear on the part that extends farther - it is .695
> inches in diameter - and it goes from .18360 to .19220 - which nicely
> spans 3/16 (.1875).
>
> Ya think this could be it?


Just for giggles you might want to check your calibration/instruction
sheet for your mike. Taken out to that many places it's only accurate at
one specific temperature.

The more I look at this thing the more it looks like an eccentric
wood boring spade bit.

Then again, I have known people who would expend a lot of energy
making such a thing as a joke. When I flew RC in the 1970s I would carry
a prop wrench that wouldn't fit any nut known to man. I was always
willing to loan it at the field. I got the idea from an article in RCM
magazine.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

[Bill Noble]

"Dan" > wrote in message
...
> Bill Noble wrote:
>>
>>>>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>>>>
>>>> plausible, barely - but this thing is NOT sharp, I don't think it's
>>>> intended to cut anything -
>>>
>>>
>>> It was the best I could come up with :) I hope you find out what it
>>> is and tell us.
>>>
>>> Over the years I have seen many specialized tools that no one outside
>>> the trade could guess what they are for. Somewhere in my scrounge I have
>>> a tool for shaping the points on the end of wagon spokes. It's good for
>>> nothing else.
>>>
>>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>>>
>>
>> I've written Pratt and Whitney - we shall see if they have an answer -
>> meanwhile, here is my latest "brilliant" speculation - the ground part is
>> quite accurately ground to 1/2 inch - I just noticed that the flat part
>> is tapered in width, it is .194 near the pointy end, and .144 right next
>> to the ground round part. Further, the width of the flat part (until the
>> very end where it is much wider) is .565. So, if you now imagine that
>> this tool is slid into a 1/2 inch hole which has a keyway broached in it
>> that is deeper than 65 thousandths, then the thing will enter the hole
>> farther as the keyway gets wider - so that would make it a tool for
>> measuring the width of keyways.
>>
>> Now, if my speculation were true, the ground 1/2 inch part would be just
>> under 1/2 inch so it would be a sliding fit - so I got out my best
>> measuring tool, an SPI digital micrometer that claims .00005 inch
>> accuracy and I measured it - sure enough,. 0.49950 - so it is 1/2
>> thousandth undersize.
>>
>> This site shows some keyway width gauges
>> http://www.jayeshentp.com/products.htm which don't look like this at all
>>
>> There is possible wear on the part that extends farther - it is .695
>> inches in diameter - and it goes from .18360 to .19220 - which nicely
>> spans 3/16 (.1875).
>>
>> Ya think this could be it?
>
>
> Just for giggles you might want to check your calibration/instruction
> sheet for your mike. Taken out to that many places it's only accurate at
> one specific temperature.
>
> The more I look at this thing the more it looks like an eccentric wood
> boring spade bit.
>
> Then again, I have known people who would expend a lot of energy making
> such a thing as a joke. When I flew RC in the 1970s I would carry a prop
> wrench that wouldn't fit any nut known to man. I was always willing to
> loan it at the field. I got the idea from an article in RCM magazine.
>
> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

well, here is the catalog page for themicrometer -
http://www.swissprec.com/CGI/ISPDFF?PMCTLG=01&PMPAGE=19
It claims an accuracy of 16 microns, the .00005 is the display resolution -
I don't have any jobe blocks to check the calibration with, but in general
SPI is a pretty good company. I won this directly from SPI in a drawing at
a trade show - that was pretty nice....

rodger on the "looks like", but of course, it isn't..... I'm quite sure it's
part of some piece of measuring equipment - I guess if I don't find out,
I'll call it a 1/2 inch "minus" plug gauge and keep it for that purpose....

[Alan Baker]

In article >,
"Bill Noble" > wrote:

> "Dan" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Bill Noble wrote:
> >>
> >>>>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
> >>>>
> >>>> plausible, barely - but this thing is NOT sharp, I don't think it's
> >>>> intended to cut anything -
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> It was the best I could come up with :) I hope you find out what it
> >>> is and tell us.
> >>>
> >>> Over the years I have seen many specialized tools that no one outside
> >>> the trade could guess what they are for. Somewhere in my scrounge I have
> >>> a tool for shaping the points on the end of wagon spokes. It's good for
> >>> nothing else.
> >>>
> >>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
> >>>
> >>
> >> I've written Pratt and Whitney - we shall see if they have an answer -
> >> meanwhile, here is my latest "brilliant" speculation - the ground part is
> >> quite accurately ground to 1/2 inch - I just noticed that the flat part
> >> is tapered in width, it is .194 near the pointy end, and .144 right next
> >> to the ground round part. Further, the width of the flat part (until the
> >> very end where it is much wider) is .565. So, if you now imagine that
> >> this tool is slid into a 1/2 inch hole which has a keyway broached in it
> >> that is deeper than 65 thousandths, then the thing will enter the hole
> >> farther as the keyway gets wider - so that would make it a tool for
> >> measuring the width of keyways.
> >>
> >> Now, if my speculation were true, the ground 1/2 inch part would be just
> >> under 1/2 inch so it would be a sliding fit - so I got out my best
> >> measuring tool, an SPI digital micrometer that claims .00005 inch
> >> accuracy and I measured it - sure enough,. 0.49950 - so it is 1/2
> >> thousandth undersize.
> >>
> >> This site shows some keyway width gauges
> >> http://www.jayeshentp.com/products.htm which don't look like this at all
> >>
> >> There is possible wear on the part that extends farther - it is .695
> >> inches in diameter - and it goes from .18360 to .19220 - which nicely
> >> spans 3/16 (.1875).
> >>
> >> Ya think this could be it?
> >
> >
> > Just for giggles you might want to check your calibration/instruction
> > sheet for your mike. Taken out to that many places it's only accurate at
> > one specific temperature.
> >
> > The more I look at this thing the more it looks like an eccentric wood
> > boring spade bit.
> >
> > Then again, I have known people who would expend a lot of energy making
> > such a thing as a joke. When I flew RC in the 1970s I would carry a prop
> > wrench that wouldn't fit any nut known to man. I was always willing to
> > loan it at the field. I got the idea from an article in RCM magazine.
> >
> > Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>
> well, here is the catalog page for themicrometer -
> http://www.swissprec.com/CGI/ISPDFF?PMCTLG=01&PMPAGE=19
> It claims an accuracy of 16 microns, the .00005 is the display resolution -
> I don't have any jobe blocks to check the calibration with, but in general
> SPI is a pretty good company. I won this directly from SPI in a drawing at
> a trade show - that was pretty nice....
>
> rodger on the "looks like", but of course, it isn't..... I'm quite sure it's
> part of some piece of measuring equipment - I guess if I don't find out,
> I'll call it a 1/2 inch "minus" plug gauge and keep it for that purpose....

I was wondering if the pointy end of it might be some sort of dead
centre...

--
Alan Baker
Vancouver, British Columbia
<http://gallery.me.com/alangbaker/100008/DSCF0162/web.jpg>

[Dan[_12_]]

Bill Noble wrote:
>
> "Dan" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Bill Noble wrote:
>>>
>>>>>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>>>>>
>>>>> plausible, barely - but this thing is NOT sharp, I don't think it's
>>>>> intended to cut anything -
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> It was the best I could come up with :) I hope you find out what
>>>> it is and tell us.
>>>>
>>>> Over the years I have seen many specialized tools that no one
>>>> outside the trade could guess what they are for. Somewhere in my
>>>> scrounge I have a tool for shaping the points on the end of wagon
>>>> spokes. It's good for nothing else.
>>>>
>>>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>>>>
>>>
>>> I've written Pratt and Whitney - we shall see if they have an answer
>>> - meanwhile, here is my latest "brilliant" speculation - the ground
>>> part is quite accurately ground to 1/2 inch - I just noticed that the
>>> flat part is tapered in width, it is .194 near the pointy end, and
>>> .144 right next to the ground round part. Further, the width of the
>>> flat part (until the very end where it is much wider) is .565. So,
>>> if you now imagine that this tool is slid into a 1/2 inch hole which
>>> has a keyway broached in it that is deeper than 65 thousandths, then
>>> the thing will enter the hole farther as the keyway gets wider - so
>>> that would make it a tool for measuring the width of keyways.
>>>
>>> Now, if my speculation were true, the ground 1/2 inch part would be
>>> just under 1/2 inch so it would be a sliding fit - so I got out my
>>> best measuring tool, an SPI digital micrometer that claims .00005
>>> inch accuracy and I measured it - sure enough,. 0.49950 - so it is
>>> 1/2 thousandth undersize.
>>>
>>> This site shows some keyway width gauges
>>> http://www.jayeshentp.com/products.htm which don't look like this at
>>> all
>>>
>>> There is possible wear on the part that extends farther - it is .695
>>> inches in diameter - and it goes from .18360 to .19220 - which nicely
>>> spans 3/16 (.1875).
>>>
>>> Ya think this could be it?
>>
>>
>> Just for giggles you might want to check your
>> calibration/instruction sheet for your mike. Taken out to that many
>> places it's only accurate at one specific temperature.
>>
>> The more I look at this thing the more it looks like an eccentric
>> wood boring spade bit.
>>
>> Then again, I have known people who would expend a lot of energy
>> making such a thing as a joke. When I flew RC in the 1970s I would
>> carry a prop wrench that wouldn't fit any nut known to man. I was
>> always willing to loan it at the field. I got the idea from an article
>> in RCM magazine.
>>
>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>
> well, here is the catalog page for themicrometer -
> http://www.swissprec.com/CGI/ISPDFF?PMCTLG=01&PMPAGE=19
> It claims an accuracy of 16 microns, the .00005 is the display
> resolution - I don't have any jobe blocks to check the calibration with,
> but in general SPI is a pretty good company. I won this directly from
> SPI in a drawing at a trade show - that was pretty nice....

I was thinking of the thermal expansion/contraction of the work being
measured.

>
> rodger on the "looks like", but of course, it isn't..... I'm quite sure
> it's part of some piece of measuring equipment - I guess if I don't find
> out, I'll call it a 1/2 inch "minus" plug gauge and keep it for that
> purpose....

You could always use it to clean your nails, I suppose.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

[Dan[_12_]]

Alan Baker wrote:
> In article >,
> "Bill Noble" > wrote:
>
>> "Dan" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Bill Noble wrote:
>>>>>>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>>>>>> plausible, barely - but this thing is NOT sharp, I don't think it's
>>>>>> intended to cut anything -
>>>>>
>>>>> It was the best I could come up with :) I hope you find out what it
>>>>> is and tell us.
>>>>>
>>>>> Over the years I have seen many specialized tools that no one outside
>>>>> the trade could guess what they are for. Somewhere in my scrounge I have
>>>>> a tool for shaping the points on the end of wagon spokes. It's good for
>>>>> nothing else.
>>>>>
>>>>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>>>>>
>>>> I've written Pratt and Whitney - we shall see if they have an answer -
>>>> meanwhile, here is my latest "brilliant" speculation - the ground part is
>>>> quite accurately ground to 1/2 inch - I just noticed that the flat part
>>>> is tapered in width, it is .194 near the pointy end, and .144 right next
>>>> to the ground round part. Further, the width of the flat part (until the
>>>> very end where it is much wider) is .565. So, if you now imagine that
>>>> this tool is slid into a 1/2 inch hole which has a keyway broached in it
>>>> that is deeper than 65 thousandths, then the thing will enter the hole
>>>> farther as the keyway gets wider - so that would make it a tool for
>>>> measuring the width of keyways.
>>>>
>>>> Now, if my speculation were true, the ground 1/2 inch part would be just
>>>> under 1/2 inch so it would be a sliding fit - so I got out my best
>>>> measuring tool, an SPI digital micrometer that claims .00005 inch
>>>> accuracy and I measured it - sure enough,. 0.49950 - so it is 1/2
>>>> thousandth undersize.
>>>>
>>>> This site shows some keyway width gauges
>>>> http://www.jayeshentp.com/products.htm which don't look like this at all
>>>>
>>>> There is possible wear on the part that extends farther - it is .695
>>>> inches in diameter - and it goes from .18360 to .19220 - which nicely
>>>> spans 3/16 (.1875).
>>>>
>>>> Ya think this could be it?
>>>
>>> Just for giggles you might want to check your calibration/instruction
>>> sheet for your mike. Taken out to that many places it's only accurate at
>>> one specific temperature.
>>>
>>> The more I look at this thing the more it looks like an eccentric wood
>>> boring spade bit.
>>>
>>> Then again, I have known people who would expend a lot of energy making
>>> such a thing as a joke. When I flew RC in the 1970s I would carry a prop
>>> wrench that wouldn't fit any nut known to man. I was always willing to
>>> loan it at the field. I got the idea from an article in RCM magazine.
>>>
>>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>> well, here is the catalog page for themicrometer -
>> http://www.swissprec.com/CGI/ISPDFF?PMCTLG=01&PMPAGE=19
>> It claims an accuracy of 16 microns, the .00005 is the display resolution -
>> I don't have any jobe blocks to check the calibration with, but in general
>> SPI is a pretty good company. I won this directly from SPI in a drawing at
>> a trade show - that was pretty nice....
>>
>> rodger on the "looks like", but of course, it isn't..... I'm quite sure it's
>> part of some piece of measuring equipment - I guess if I don't find out,
>> I'll call it a 1/2 inch "minus" plug gauge and keep it for that purpose....
>
> I was wondering if the pointy end of it might be some sort of dead
> centre...
>

In that case it would be a conical point to avoid damaging the work,
would it not?

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

[Bill Noble]

"Dan" > wrote in message
...
>> I was wondering if the pointy end of it might be some sort of dead
>> centre...
>>
>
> In that case it would be a conical point to avoid damaging the work,
> would it not?
>
> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

the "pointy end" does have a 60 degree point exactly like a dead center -
originally I thought it went in a head/tail stock of a measuring instrument,
but I don't think the precision of the point is what one would expect
there - the only precision ground part is the cylinder - and the taper of
the flat part is intriguing, to say the least. My friend, who handed me
this thing, has another one that someone has sharpened into a boring tool,
but that clearly was not its original usage - this one appears to be as P&W
intended it.

By the way, for those interested in such things, the P&W measuring tool
company (not the engine company of the same name) has a very nice 1~50 page
history of the company with lots of photos and stuff on-line as a set of PDF
files - it's on their main site. (and no, I couldn't find a hint as to what
this was in there either....)

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Dan" > wrote
>
> Then again, I have known people who would expend a lot of energy
> making such a thing as a joke. When I flew RC in the 1970s I would carry
> a prop wrench that wouldn't fit any nut known to man. I was always
> willing to loan it at the field. I got the idea from an article in RCM
> magazine.

Man, you are one _sick_ puppy! That's just ........ WrOoOnG !!!

;-))

Then again, I _like_ it! I may have to fix me up one! <g>

[Alan Baker]

In article >, Dan >
wrote:

> Alan Baker wrote:
> > In article >,
> > "Bill Noble" > wrote:
> >
> >> "Dan" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >>> Bill Noble wrote:
> >>>>>>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
> >>>>>> plausible, barely - but this thing is NOT sharp, I don't think it's
> >>>>>> intended to cut anything -
> >>>>>
> >>>>> It was the best I could come up with :) I hope you find out what it
> >>>>> is and tell us.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Over the years I have seen many specialized tools that no one
> >>>>> outside
> >>>>> the trade could guess what they are for. Somewhere in my scrounge I
> >>>>> have
> >>>>> a tool for shaping the points on the end of wagon spokes. It's good for
> >>>>> nothing else.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
> >>>>>
> >>>> I've written Pratt and Whitney - we shall see if they have an answer -
> >>>> meanwhile, here is my latest "brilliant" speculation - the ground part
> >>>> is
> >>>> quite accurately ground to 1/2 inch - I just noticed that the flat part
> >>>> is tapered in width, it is .194 near the pointy end, and .144 right next
> >>>> to the ground round part. Further, the width of the flat part (until
> >>>> the
> >>>> very end where it is much wider) is .565. So, if you now imagine that
> >>>> this tool is slid into a 1/2 inch hole which has a keyway broached in it
> >>>> that is deeper than 65 thousandths, then the thing will enter the hole
> >>>> farther as the keyway gets wider - so that would make it a tool for
> >>>> measuring the width of keyways.
> >>>>
> >>>> Now, if my speculation were true, the ground 1/2 inch part would be just
> >>>> under 1/2 inch so it would be a sliding fit - so I got out my best
> >>>> measuring tool, an SPI digital micrometer that claims .00005 inch
> >>>> accuracy and I measured it - sure enough,. 0.49950 - so it is 1/2
> >>>> thousandth undersize.
> >>>>
> >>>> This site shows some keyway width gauges
> >>>> http://www.jayeshentp.com/products.htm which don't look like this at
> >>>> all
> >>>>
> >>>> There is possible wear on the part that extends farther - it is .695
> >>>> inches in diameter - and it goes from .18360 to .19220 - which nicely
> >>>> spans 3/16 (.1875).
> >>>>
> >>>> Ya think this could be it?
> >>>
> >>> Just for giggles you might want to check your calibration/instruction
> >>> sheet for your mike. Taken out to that many places it's only accurate at
> >>> one specific temperature.
> >>>
> >>> The more I look at this thing the more it looks like an eccentric wood
> >>> boring spade bit.
> >>>
> >>> Then again, I have known people who would expend a lot of energy making
> >>> such a thing as a joke. When I flew RC in the 1970s I would carry a prop
> >>> wrench that wouldn't fit any nut known to man. I was always willing to
> >>> loan it at the field. I got the idea from an article in RCM magazine.
> >>>
> >>> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
> >> well, here is the catalog page for themicrometer -
> >> http://www.swissprec.com/CGI/ISPDFF?PMCTLG=01&PMPAGE=19
> >> It claims an accuracy of 16 microns, the .00005 is the display resolution
> >> -
> >> I don't have any jobe blocks to check the calibration with, but in general
> >> SPI is a pretty good company. I won this directly from SPI in a drawing
> >> at
> >> a trade show - that was pretty nice....
> >>
> >> rodger on the "looks like", but of course, it isn't..... I'm quite sure
> >> it's
> >> part of some piece of measuring equipment - I guess if I don't find out,
> >> I'll call it a 1/2 inch "minus" plug gauge and keep it for that
> >> purpose....
> >
> > I was wondering if the pointy end of it might be some sort of dead
> > centre...
> >
>
> In that case it would be a conical point to avoid damaging the work,
> would it not?
>
> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

Yes, but isn't the very end of it a conical point?

--
Alan Baker
Vancouver, British Columbia
<http://gallery.me.com/alangbaker/100008/DSCF0162/web.jpg>

[Stealth Pilot[_3_]]

On Fri, 9 Oct 2009 18:06:55 -0400, "Morgans"
> wrote:

>
>"Dan" > wrote
>>
>> Then again, I have known people who would expend a lot of energy
>> making such a thing as a joke. When I flew RC in the 1970s I would carry
>> a prop wrench that wouldn't fit any nut known to man. I was always
>> willing to loan it at the field. I got the idea from an article in RCM
>> magazine.
>
>Man, you are one _sick_ puppy! That's just ........ WrOoOnG !!!
>
>;-))
>
>Then again, I _like_ it! I may have to fix me up one! <g>

dont be a ******* :-).
reminds me of the disassembly of my Auster. armed with a full set of
good quality A/F spanners I was horrified to find that not one spanner
fitted The entire aircraft had to be disassembled with two adjustable
jaw spanners.
why the poms used BA I'll never know.

Stealth Pilot

[Brian Whatcott]

Stealth Pilot wrote:
...
> reminds me of the disassembly of my Auster. armed with a full set of
> good quality A/F spanners I was horrified to find that not one spanner
> fitted The entire aircraft had to be disassembled with two adjustable
> jaw spanners.
> why the poms used BA I'll never know.
>
> Stealth Pilot

..er... the BA was an effort at going metric! Then there was BSF, BSWhit
BSBike, BSPipe, RAS and several others that I forget.

Brian W

[Steve Hix[_2_]]

In article >,
brian whatcott > wrote:

> Stealth Pilot wrote:
> ..
> > reminds me of the disassembly of my Auster. armed with a full set of
> > good quality A/F spanners I was horrified to find that not one spanner
> > fitted The entire aircraft had to be disassembled with two adjustable
> > jaw spanners.
> > why the poms used BA I'll never know.
> >
> > Stealth Pilot
>
> .er... the BA was an effort at going metric! Then there was BSF, BSWhit
> BSBike, BSPipe, RAS and several others that I forget.

I thought it was bad enough with a Morris Minor I once owned that,
depending on what I was working on, required either metric, inch, or
Whitworth sockets.

Didn't know how lucky I was...

[Brian Whatcott]

Steve Hix wrote:
> In article >,
> brian whatcott > wrote:
>
>> Stealth Pilot wrote:
>> ..
>>> reminds me of the disassembly of my Auster. armed with a full set of
>>> good quality A/F spanners I was horrified to find that not one spanner
>>> fitted The entire aircraft had to be disassembled with two adjustable
>>> jaw spanners.
>>> why the poms used BA I'll never know.
>>>
>>> Stealth Pilot
>> .er... the BA was an effort at going metric! Then there was BSF, BSWhit
>> BSBike, BSPipe, RAS and several others that I forget.
>
> I thought it was bad enough with a Morris Minor I once owned that,
> depending on what I was working on, required either metric, inch, or
> Whitworth sockets.
>
> Didn't know how lucky I was...

well...there's SAE of course, and metric both sure to be found on
recent US production.
But there has been Unified, ANC, ANF, NatStdPipe and a few others I
forget....

Brian W