Help identifying this tool

[Didyouseesteve]

Yet another find while going through my grandfather's machining tools I inherited. Not sure what it is or what it's for, there are no markings on it or the case. The button (probably not the right terminology) on top looks as though it should push down, I'm assuming to move the needle over the scale, but seems stuck. I tried to take the extremely tiny hex screws out but have no bits anywhere close to that small. Any guesses would help, I'm still pretty new to the hobby. Thanks!

 

[brino]

My first thought is a miter gauge for something.....perhaps for grinding lathe tool relief.

Can you post some pictures from other angles, including the back side.
Oh and throw in a scale (ruler) so we know the rough size of this thing.

Someone sure cared about it by the looks of that custom box with felt liner......
-brino

 

[T Bredehoft]

Does moving the rectangular part on the left, move the needle on the right? Some kinda measuring device, perhaps.

 

[Didyouseesteve]

Hopefully these pictures will help. It is two separate pieces bolted together, the only parts that look as though they should move seem to be the button and the needle on the scale. I put very little force on the needle to see if it would move any but the whole thing appears locked up.

 

[brino]

oh, gee, just a little thing. I have no idea what that is.......

Does the button pull up instead?

-brino

 

[Didyouseesteve]

It doesn't try to pull upwards, either. I put some pliers under and pulled up with slight pressure but it doesn't budge. There is some rust around the base of the button where it goes into the housing, and I'm sure it is inside as well. I'm completely stumped!

 

[Didyouseesteve]

I'm going to try soaking it in some wd40 tonight and see if that frees any of the internals up, at least that might give some insight to which way it measures!

 

[francist]

Wonder if it’s an old indicator, kind of along the lines of these ones? Looks shop built — you can still see end milling marks on some of the edges. I’m guessing the button part would be the plunger to move the needle.

-frank

 

[Bob Korves]

It looks like it might be an early or shop made indicator gage like this Starrett model 64. I have one, and another type with no name on it. No dial...

 

[Didyouseesteve]

I bet it is an old indicator like those. Hopefully I can get it freed up and moving. I have several older indicators, just none that look quite like this one, and there's no way to mount this that I can see. As someone had said, someone put some work into the wooden case!