Unusual height gage

stevewatr · Oct 27, 2019

I picked this up in a lot of tools I bought last week. I took it because I'd never seen one like it, and I'm a sucker for old junk.

Says it was made by the American standard Co. Of Plantsville, Connecticut

Appears the company was known for metal stamping, and some tool making.

But I can't find Ny machinist tools by them.

The wheel in the base appears like it should be a fine adjustment knob, but it only turns a little each way then stops, and the height doesn't appear to change.

Anybody ever see one like this? Figured I'd as here, where all the fans of old iron & tools hang out.

Steve W.

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Limy Sami · Oct 27, 2019

I suspect it's some sort of mounting for a dial test indicator to be used against a surface plate as height check etc etc

thermite · Oct 27, 2019

Limy Sami said:
I suspect it's some sort of mounting for a dial test indicator to be used against a surface plate as height check etc etc

Spot-on. An indicator holder is exactly what it is, and yes, large plate or small, large parts or small.

Uncommon only because... "mostly" we'd use readily-available clamps to attach a DI to our more common VERNIER height-gages, take advantage of the better features of each component.

Which still works a right treat, FWIW-not-much, "batteries included" or ever needed not.

stevewatr · Oct 27, 2019

thermite said:
FWIW-not-much, "batteries included" or ever needed not.

Well, I don't imagine itll see much use here. As you point out, plenty of better options at hand. But I still think it's an interesting early piece.

Steve.

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Marty Feldman · Oct 27, 2019

Has its uses as a stand on a surface plate, more for comparisons or zero setting than as a conventional "height gauge". Yes, that horizontally oriented bottom wheel is a fine adjustment, and if yours turns only a bit each way and doesn't change heights it is gunked up or rusted or otherwise damaged.

-Marty-

stevewatr · Oct 27, 2019

Marty Feldman said:
Has its uses as a stand on a surface plate, more for comparisons or zero setting than as a conventional "height gauge". Yes, that horizontally oriented bottom wheel is a fine adjustment, and if yours turns only a bit each way and doesn't change heights it is gunked up or rusted or otherwise damaged.

-Marty-

Bunked up sounds right. I was able to turn it more, but it wasn't easy, and as the post rose, I could see some crud on it. Bet it's been sitting for years.

Steve.

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stevewatr · Nov 3, 2019

Spent a little time on this tonight. I got it apart, cleaned off the gunk, and reassembled it. Now it works nicely. Didn't think there'd be a spring in there, but it makes sense. The spring keeps any freeplay from being an issue.

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wdTom · Nov 4, 2019

Until maybe 20 years ago there was an American Standard plant in eastern CT. Made toilet and other such bathroom fixtures I believe. I don't know if the area was known as Plantsville though. Never heard the area refered to by that name. I think it is known as Wauregan. Anyway this might have been used in their toolroom or made by them for use in their plant.

Doozer · Nov 4, 2019

Man, that thing is sooooo kool.
It would look really nice on the surface plate in any shop.
It has the old timey straight up/down adjustment knob.
I always like those because of the sexy way the knob is let
into the casting.

--Doozer

stevewatr · Jan 26, 2020

wdTom said:
Until maybe 20 years ago there was an American Standard plant in eastern CT. Made toilet and other such bathroom fixtures I believe. I don't know if the area was known as Plantsville though. Never heard the area refered to by that name. I think it is known as Wauregan. Anyway this might have been used in their toolroom or made by them for use in their plant.

Hello. I'm not far from Wauregan, interesting to know American standard plumbing fixtures were made there.

However, it's a totally different company.

Plantsville is an area of Southington CT.

American standard was a company located in Southington, and listed as a CNC and metal stamping company. They were still in business until fairly recently, and were the parent company of Florian Tools, that made gardening tools.

Scroll to the bottom of the page in linking to, and there's a brief biography of the company.
The website is still up, but everything is listed as out of stock, and other sites say they've closed down manufacturing.

Florian Garden Tools Made in the USA

Steve.

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