Can anyone tell me what this is? A friend of mine gave it to me and told me that his father used it to check the toe on his Model T. I'm not so sure that this was the original intention for this tool.
Both ends are adjustable and is made mostly of wood. It measures 45" fully collapsed and 79" fully extended and both ends have steel points.
Thanks in advance
Randy
A surveying tool. To mark lines for roads for Model T's to drive on?
I have a metal one similar to this for measuring Toe in and Toe out on a cars front end.
Those are legs from a camera tripod (or possibly a surveyor's transit tripod).
I actually made a tool like that once, to use as an oversized compass in order to scribe a large circle so as to make a large arch top window for my Victorian home. I also used it to find the roof slope at the ridge of my gable so as to have the correct angle on the gable ornaments I was making for my 8 gables. I'd sure love to have a tool like that. Jim Patrick
Upon closer examination, I'm not sure if it is hinged in the middle or not. If it is hinged, like the tool I made, then it can be used for the purposes I stated. Jim Patrick
Wow Jim, beautiful home!
Rob, I'd say he REALLY fretted over it. GRIN!
Some interesting ideas. This particular one is not hinged in the middle. I thought surveying as well because it looks similar to the legs on a tripod but it has this look at both ends.
Could it be a rail gauge??
Just my opinion:
A tripod was cannibalized to make the tool. They are the bottom two sections from two legs of a tripod.
Take a good hard look at this eBay listing and compare it to what you have - especially the third photo.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLD-ANTIQUE-VINTAGE-WOODEN-WOOD-TRIPOD-BRASS-HARDWARE-CA MERA-SURVEYOR-TOOL-FILM-/271250290157?pt=Folk_Art&hash=item3f27c6f5ed
Comparing your photos and eBay listing, I believe the components of your tool/object are actually identical to components of the eBay tripod.
I have a tripod that belonged to my GPaw. He used it for surveying when he was in Engineering school in 19 and 22. Later he used it for home motion pictures .
Erik, I think you may be right on target. It sure looks like the same construction to me. Nice find!
Thank you everyone for your input.
Maybe you folks are correct....
Look at this thread and see what Hal made:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29/47328.html?1202348837
Maybe some old surveyor cobbled something together to check his wheels????
Thanks Rob.
My first thought was a toe-in gauge?
Howard Dennis