Hi,
I am looking for this tool
If anyone knows where I can order one, please let me know.
Thank you. karen
Karen,
What is it for? It looks home made by a good metal smith. The twist
is something one would do for their own enjoyment.
Bill Churlik
www.earthspeakarts.com
what is it and what do you use it for?
Jennifer Friedman
Hello Karen;
I believe that is a hand made tool, possibly one of a kind. It was
forged by a blacksmith, you can see the decorative twist in the
handle end, something a machine can’t do (well, not easily). And it
is possibly a tool a smith used for his own work. One end is a
caliper, used to take and compare measurements while forging an
article. The other end is for scribing marks on the metal. Of
course, this is an opinion, and I wouldn’t be surprised if someone
else had another description. If you want one of these things, it’s a
fairly simple project for a relatively competent blacksmith if you
can find one in your area.
David L. Huffman
I believe it’s a combination divider / scribe. I’ve met a couple of
jeweler’s with a similar tool, both people bought it in Japan. I’ve
found a site (that’s where the picture came from), in Japan that has
the tool, but despite numerous inquiries - no response. (I suspect
it’s a problem with the character set on my machine or theirs or
both.)
karen
khmetalwork.com
Hi K.,
That’s got “make me” written on it in the biggest way - looks like a
fairly simple, straightforward tool to make - a divider and scribe
combination, with heat treated ends. I believe it was made out of
flat stock, with the scribe end slightly tapered and then twisted
clockwise on one half, and the other half counterclockwise. Then,
stock was removed to help round and complete the taper.
The divider is a second piece simply riveted (looks like a washer
may have been used as well) on to the first. Either cut out from
plate in the curved shape, or perhaps forged hot to shape. Ends
tapered to a point.
Not sure how big it is because the photo does not show anything else
for scale, but if it is a hand tool, you should be able to
accomplish this nicely with some oil hardening tool steel (I like
O1) and a suitable quenching medium (olive oil works) and basic
metalsmithing tools. It can pay to do a bit of research here - all
steels have somewhat different heat treating schedules, and an
improperly heat treated tool can be very dangerous - especially if
it is one struck by a hammer.
Toolmaking can be incredibly free and liberating - give it a try!
For reference, check out Weyger’s blacksmithing books, and
McCreight’s knifemaking book - both have chapters that speak to heat
treating.
Chris
the tool in question:
Chris Ploof Studio
Hi David,
AHA moment!!
I looked at that picture and for the life of me I could not figure
out what it would be used for, especially in a jewellery workshop. So
it’s a sort of blacksmiths indestructible vernier/scriber And
beautifully made, might I add…
Also on your previous post about workshop conditions, two things
that guide my workshop and any staff I have employed:
Good working conditions produces good work
Any fool can be uncomfortable…
Hans Meevis.