Measurements question

[Cold Rolled]

I was cleaning up my “new� lathe (yes I am still really exited) and I came up with a question that some of you might know. See this link for picture of lathe

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net//Fo...ML/002504.html

Installed on the headstock are two glass bottle gravity feed oilers. Like the ones sold here:
http://www.mscdirect.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merc hant_Id=1&Section_Id=2001305&pcount=15&Product_Id= 158852&Keyword=Y

The bigger one is stamped “Cincinnati Brass Works, Pat. May 1885, No. 1 ½�
I went to get a wrench to remove it from the lathe to clean it but the hex on the bottom of the bowl and the cap nut on the top of the bowl were not standard sizes, 0.8580 inches and 0.5460 inches respectively. The other oiler’s hex was 0.7275 but the cap nut was ½ inch. I used a very tight adjustable wrench because I did not want to round the brass.

My question: Is this kind of thing common on older machinery before 1/16th inch wrenches and metric wenches?
I have some 1/32nd increment wrenches and I know about British Standard wrenches from working some old British cars. But these size do not seem to match anything.




[This message has been edited by Cold Rolled (edited 04-23-2003).]

[JCHannum]

You're just looking for another excuse to show picture of that lathe.
The dimensions are probably what they ended up being after the part was cast and cleaned up.
Just use Channel Locks to remove and install them.

[docsteve66]

Be nice, JC
Steve

BTW: nut sizes, threads were standardized by 1885- not that every one followed the standards. Nor do they today.

[SGW]

There was also a practice in the early days to use proprietary threads on parts to be sure customers came back to you for repair parts...although it seems unlikely that the hex sizes on oil cups would be relevant to that practice.

Check out some of the threads on Starrett tools sometime, like their toolmaker's clamps or the little screws in their adjustable parallels. They're weird and wonderful.

Look on this as a great excuse to make a couple of custom open-end wrenches!

[Cold Rolled]

I have got to admit I am still thrilled about my purchase.

I was talking to someone here at work about metric wrenches. He thought there was metric wenches in the late 1700,s. I did not. So I tried to look it up with not a lot of success. But I did find out that the French were the first to adopt the metric system in 1799. Does anyone know when metric wenches/hardware started?

[Cold Rolled]

BTW I did take both oilers all apart with a tight adjustable wrench. I cleaned them up and installed with South Bend spindle oil. They sure are pRRRety.
I am not sure what kind of oil was in there but it was reddish - brown compared to a nice light straw color.

[Stick]

That would mean metric wenches would have started a few years before 1799 then, to be old enough by then to be considered wenches!

Who knows about metric wrenches though?

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Cold Rolled:
I was talking to someone here at work about metric wrenches. He thought there was metric wenches in the late 1700,s. I did not. So I tried to look it up with not a lot of success. But I did find out that the French were the first to adopt the metric system in 1799. Does anyone know when metric wenches/hardware started? </font>

[JCHannum]

Just what do you measure on a Metric wench, and how do you go about measuring it?

[dereklola]

That's a bit like saying your mother was the first to adopt you!!!!!!!!

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Cold Rolled:
......... the French were the first to adopt the metric system.</font>

[firbikrhd1]

Not sure if you are aware, but years ago sizes scuh as 19/32 and 25/32 were fairly common. Today, unless you go to Snap On or other professional tool company sizes such as these are difficult to find. The Brits also used Witworth which I believe is different from British Standard, but am not certain.