Thread: Antique beam compass Starrett and Brown & Sharpe

Here are a couple of hard to find ones.

Called a "beam compass" and often mistaken for trammel points. Unlike trammel points, the beams on these are only about 4" long.

I just acquired the Starrett, it is a model 89.

The Brown & Sharpe I've had for a while. I have no idea of the model number for that one. It has a unique method for fine adjustment. The small knob on the end of the beam rotates a long threaded rod inside the beam that moves the point at the other end.

Steve.

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Here is my Starrett No. 89 Universal Dividers. As you see, it has a coupling so that an extension beam can be added. The beam is just a round rod with a flat on one side, but I never needed to make an extension. The catalog page is from Cat. 20, dated 1914 in the flyleaf of my leather bound copy. I can see little design changes comparing the actual tools and the catalog cuts.

I have the big one too, but it is not very old.

Larry

Hi Larry,
I noticed the larger ones are described in my newer catalog as trammels and start at 10". I have parts of one. Very nice set you have there.

The coupler you have there would have been an extra accessory 89F. I bet those are even more scarce. The bent leg suggests we both have 89A's but I am missing the cone shaped adapter that came with the 89A.

Steve.

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