Toolbox size height gage

Danny VanVoorn · Jan 8, 2011

I haven't been real active here lately, working 7 days a week since september and working on my property throughout the summer (actually the last few summers on the property). It's 15 degrees farenheight and I got the weekend off and thought I'd show this part of my tool collection; maybe someone is uninitiated to these things? This is a micro height gage and has a range of 2 inches without the risers. the pictures show it next to a 1X2X3" block and a drill index.

I hope someone gets a kick out of these,
Dan

PixMan · Jan 8, 2011

That does look like a really nice tool to have. Where'd you pick it up? Had it for a while?

Danny VanVoorn · Jan 8, 2011

PixMan said:
That does look like a really nice tool to have. Where'd you pick it up? Had it for a while?

I;ve had this for years, bought it off a retired Tool Maker. He said they were real popular during the '60s. Another tool nut I know said he wanted one of these, at that time I had no idea what he was talking about. I saw this one and had to have it in my collection for some reason, probably the same reason I have some machine tools, other hand and measuring tools, revolvers, you name it. Thats another subject for a 12 step group or mental professional type.
Dan

PixMan · Jan 8, 2011

I've also been collecting tools over the years. One of the benefits of living within 20 miles of Starrett (and 60 miles from where Brown & Sharpe was) is that I've been getting tools for retiring Starrett employees. They'd get them for cost, barely use them, and ultimately sell them.

The list of tools I've got is long, and I know it's an addiction, not a need.

Really now, why would I need a 12" vernier height gauge and an 18" one? Or 7 different micrometers in the 0-1" range, TWO complete sets of No.154 adjustable parallels, regular pin punches and long, and list goes on...

That's Micro Height name reminds me of the Brown & Sharpe Micro Hite product line, also height gauges but the digital electronic kind.

The real Leigh · Jan 8, 2011

That's quite nice. I've never seen anything similar. :smitten:

It looks a lot more rigid than other height gages.

- Leigh

AlanBeckett · Jan 8, 2011

I want one.
I'm not sure what I'd do with it, but I still want one

Alan

PixMan · Jan 8, 2011

Rigid...I dunno. Stable because of the round base...YES.

It's kind of hard to tell how rigid it might be without knowing the structure beneath the housing. Does the blade connect directly to the micrometer screw, or is there a multi-piece assembly?

The vernier height gauges on left and right like to tip over, especially the 24" one on the left when used up high. The Starrett No.258 "Digi-Chek" in the middle is also considered to be a height gauge, and is very stable even on it's 10" riser block.

On the down side, none of those that my dad & I own are what you would consider "toolbox size.".

Danny VanVoorn · Jan 9, 2011

PixMan said:
Rigid...I dunno. Stable because of the round base...YES.

It's kind of hard to tell how rigid it might be without knowing the structure beneath the housing. Does the blade connect directly to the micrometer screw, or is there a multi-piece assembly?

I have no doubt to the accuracy of the little gage and stability doesn't seem to be an issue either. The screw is substatial in size and the bearing surface of the scriber carrier is much longer than its diameter so it appears to be well thought out. It is very quick and easy to set within its range also. If there is a down side; I noticed it is real easy to bump the top of it while using it on a machine table (between clamps and bolts, etc.) thus changing the setting. Because of its small/special size I had to modify a Starrett attachment so I could use a Last Word indicator with it. Starrett and Mitutoyo both offered small height gages but those Iv'e seen were the dial type and 6" or bigger, maybe someone will show us different but this is the only one I know of that uses the micrometer head style in a small size.
Dan

crashtestdummy · Jan 10, 2011

I haven't seen a Greist that small before. I've seen a few on Ebay but they go for a lot of $. I bought this H-B which is a similar design. It has a 4" range, so it will still fit in my toolbox. I'm sure that the satin finish of the Greist is much easier to read.

I've also seen a small English height gauge called a Microball (I think). It uses a stack of 1/2" balls to lock in the coarse adjustment, then it use a micrometer head for the fine adjustment.

Conrad Hoffman · Jan 10, 2011

I just recently shut down my "virtual garage sale", but had the little Starrett 6" height gage below listed. It didn't sell, in spite of being really cute. Like houses, when they don't sell, it's because they're priced too high, but I just wasn't willing to part with it for less than I paid. The absurd cost of packaging and shipping these days makes everything worth a lot less than we probably realize.

Starrett Height Gage

Best,
Conrad

PeteM · Jan 10, 2011

I've got two of the Micro-Height gages and like them. One of the nice things, compared to a vernier, is the direct/dial reading of thousandths. Note also that risers are available in several sizes for these - up to at least 6".

Holescreek · Jan 10, 2011

Here's mine:

Although unmarked, I believe it is made by Fairfield Gage Co. in Bridgeport Con. My books show it as patent number 2535881 for collector interest. It's spent the last 10 years sitting on a shelf in the family room.

crashtestdummy · Dec 9, 2011

I thought I would revive this thread and add some new tool porn. I finally got a Greist off of eBay. I've probably bid on 20 or more over the years and until this one, never successful.

This is a 2" model and in perfect condition. It also came with a 2" and 3" riser. The seller sold it because he bought one that was in better condition according to him. Interestingly, there is no manufacturers name anywhere on any of the parts.

aerodark · Dec 9, 2011

That's the coolest (and tiniest) height gage I ever saw! Nice score! :cheers:

crashtestdummy · Oct 18, 2012

I thought I would add my latest toolbox sized height gauge. This one goes to 6 inches, although according to the catalog you can flip the scriber and gain 2". This was sold as a Fowler 52-180-006, but there is no manufacturer on the gauge, so I don't know who made it.

There is a lever on the side of the moving part that disengages the internal screw, so you can rapid to the nearest 1/10th of an inch. This also has a vernier on the base, so in theory, it will read to 1/10,000th of an inch.

Cole2534 · Oct 24, 2012

Just wonderful, something else to covet.

Nice find!

fciron · Dec 5, 2012

A very clean 2" Greist just popped up on my local Craigslist: Greist Micro-Height Gage

crashtestdummy · Dec 5, 2012

fciron said:
A very clean 2" Greist just popped up on my local Craigslist: Greist Micro-Height Gage

I like the 3" riser, I guess the original user had no need to measure from 2" to 3".

crashtestdummy · Dec 5, 2012

I picked up another one for the collection. This is a 0 to 1" Mitutoyo, with no model number, possibly a prototype. This one is also slow, 0.025" per revolution compared to 0.100 for my previous three. The patent date also precedes the Vangor / Griest / Fairfield / H-B Tools patent.

CBlair · Dec 5, 2012

CTD, in response to your earlier post about the Fowler height gage, I have one just like it but mine is brand new. Or at least as good as and the box is in great shape. The box is marked Made exclusively for Fowler by Frost Engineering Birmingham UK. It is also marked the same on the barrel of the tool.

Charles

Toolbox size height gage

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