Replies

1. 
   Sphere | Oct 21, 2009 04:43am | #1

   Dayum! Thats cooler than the other side of the pillow!

   I think they called them "Travellers" back in the day.

   Nice score, I wish I had one for measuring curved copper. Does the wheel deally have a reference mark?

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

   View Image

1. 
   mathewson | Oct 21, 2009 04:48am | #2

   Yes, it has marks on the wheel. It was for measuring scaled drawings, I haven't played with it much by it must be more accurate than a 1/32".

2. 
   hammer1 | Oct 21, 2009 04:58am | #3

   I have something similar I use to measure millage on maps. Works pretty good.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   McDesign | Oct 21, 2009 05:04am | #4

   Do you like, roll it across your screen in MapQuest?

   Forrest

1. 
   Sphere | Oct 21, 2009 05:07am | #5

   Hey, you have a link to that air destratifier you made a ways back? I need to do a similar thing here..was it a cloth tube or something?Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

   View Image

1. 
   McDesign | Oct 21, 2009 06:06am | #7

   Still works great, according to my SIL -

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=98162.1

   Forrest

2. 
   hammer1 | Oct 21, 2009 05:37am | #6

   Ha Ha, hadn't thought of that. I use it on topo maps planning a days hike. We also take long motorcycle journeys and use it for approximating how far I might want to go in a day, week, and how many days I am from home, etc. Map Quest and the GPS are great if you know where you are and where you want to go. If you are in more remote areas and just take roads that look interesting, they are of limited use. We normally avoid highways and the quickest route. 300 miles on an interstate is easy but it's different on back roads that might not be paved.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

3. 
   KenHill3 | Oct 21, 2009 07:37am | #8

   Very cool instrument.

   I still have one of these to do rough (+- 1") measures on curved stuff:

   View Image

   View Image
4. 
   AitchKay | Oct 21, 2009 06:46pm | #9

   I’ve used a map measurer, too. Since one of the scales is 1:1, you can use it for full-scale measuring.

   I’ve not tried this:

   http://www.calculated.com/prd21/Scale+Master+Classic+Digital+Plan+Measure.html

   ... but it’s probably pretty cool. Over 60 different scales, plus customizable scales for working off of off-scale docs like faxes and photocopies. That would be really handy.

   But $80 is a bit pricey unless you’re scaling plans a lot. For now, I’ll stick with gizmos like yours.

   AitchKay

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Oct 21, 2009 07:03pm | #10

   I own and use that tool. Makes estimating a whole lot faster and easier for me.
   Life is Good

1. 
   AitchKay | Oct 21, 2009 07:19pm | #11

   Do you/would you use it as a measuring device for curves? That is, not as a scaling device, but right on the wood itself?AitchKay

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Oct 21, 2009 07:26pm | #12

   I haven't but I could see using it in that manner. My use to date is in estimating , I haven't had occasion in the last 8 years or so to do the type of work that would require measuring along a curve in the actual construction.

   Life is Good

2. 
   mathewson | Oct 21, 2009 10:25pm | #13

   I've seen that tool for drawings. I don't work of drawings that much either. What I like about the little device is that it is 1:1 like the one you describe.

5. 
   john7g | Oct 22, 2009 03:12am | #14

   Is there any data on the thing so that if one of us were to want to search for one on e-bay or something we'd have some useful info to start with? 

1. 
   mathewson | Oct 22, 2009 04:40am | #15

   John,I'll look tomorrow for any markings. The person I got it from retired several years and it was unused in his office for years before that so no knowing how old it is.This morning I put it in the pocket-watch pocket of my carharts and then promptly took it out knowing I'd forget and my wife would wash it!

2. 
   mathewson | Oct 23, 2009 01:49am | #16

   John,It was made by the Alvin co. They no longer make that model- no surprise there. But they do have a new fancier one at http://www.alvinco.com/shopping/family_sale_0_familyid_8678_cat_94_item_1118

1. 
   john7g | Oct 23, 2009 03:42am | #17

   Thanks!  I've always had a weakness for small mechanical gadgets liek that.  It'll have to wait though, spent too much time at the auction today.