On 15 Aug, 04:30, "Jeremy Pleedle" wrote:
E Z Peaces wrote:
R.H. wrote:

"Leo Lichtman" wrote in message
...

"John Martin" (clip) I'd suggest that it might be for measuring the
frequency of AC current. Adjust the length of the arm until the
amplitude of vibration is the greatest (that's what the semi-circular
scale is there to measure), and read the frequency off the linear scale.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"The black part at the bottom appears to be made of bakelite." From
the OP. There does not appear to be any electrical contact at the tip
of the black part, nor is any mentioned. So I doubt that it is
electrical. Also, I have trouble thinking of any way that all those
angular adjustments and scales could be related to frequency. It
looks like the straight scale is in the range aroud 60, which does
support your suggestion.

You're correct in that it's not electrical, there is no contact on the
bottom, nor are there any coils inside. I've shown it to a couple of
electrical engineers and we all agreed that it's some type of vibration
indicator, as was mentioned by Andrew, but we could only guess at it's
exact use.

There is no company name or patent date on it, just some numbers on the
back that yielded nothing in a search. It does fit into a light socket,
and note that the back plate is shaped like a light bulb, a couple
possible answers that I've heard:

-Used by a bulb manufacturer to test the strength of filaments
-Used to test the amount of vibration that a bulb would have to endure
in a particular machine, such as a large projector

These are just guesses but I think they're on the right track.

Rob

Frank C Perkins
US Pat 1,687,507
granted Oct 16, 1928

Back about 1904 there was a Frank C Perkins who was a free-lance
magazine author writing articles about the advantages of electricity for
mine vehicles, cranes, boat propulsion, lighthouses, factory machinery,
and wireless telegraphy.

He intended it as a general-purpose vibration meter. He says he chose a
light-bulb base because checking light sockets was one purpose that came
to mind.

If you tuned in a vibration, you had to use a chart to find the
frequency. It was designed with two weights. With no weight it could
be adjusted up to 65 Hz (about 4,000 rpm). With the heavier weight it
could be adjusted down to 8 Hz (about 500 rpm).

That sounds like good coverage of vehicle engines in 1928, among other
uses. You'd just have to secure a light socket to your engine.

This page shows a vibrometer designed for large machinery such as a
steam engine:
http://www.prestonservices.co.uk/instruments.htm

- spammer

I agree...have you seen the Billy Mays infomercials on the steam
engine test equipment? So annoying!

DerbyDad03 wrote:
On 15 Aug, 04:30, "Jeremy Pleedle" wrote:
E Z Peaces wrote:
R.H. wrote:

"Leo Lichtman" wrote in message
...

"John Martin" (clip) I'd suggest that it might be for measuring the
frequency of AC current. Adjust the length of the arm until the
amplitude of vibration is the greatest (that's what the semi-circular
scale is there to measure), and read the frequency off the linear
scale. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"The black part at the bottom appears to be made of bakelite." From
the OP. There does not appear to be any electrical contact at the tip
of the black part, nor is any mentioned. So I doubt that it is
electrical. Also, I have trouble thinking of any way that all those
angular adjustments and scales could be related to frequency. It
looks like the straight scale is in the range aroud 60, which does
support your suggestion.

You're correct in that it's not electrical, there is no contact on the
bottom, nor are there any coils inside. I've shown it to a couple of
electrical engineers and we all agreed that it's some type of vibration
indicator, as was mentioned by Andrew, but we could only guess at it's
exact use.

There is no company name or patent date on it, just some numbers on the
back that yielded nothing in a search. It does fit into a light
socket, and note that the back plate is shaped like a light bulb, a
couple possible answers that I've heard:

-Used by a bulb manufacturer to test the strength of filaments
-Used to test the amount of vibration that a bulb would have to endure
in a particular machine, such as a large projector

These are just guesses but I think they're on the right track.

Rob

Frank C Perkins
US Pat 1,687,507
granted Oct 16, 1928

Back about 1904 there was a Frank C Perkins who was a free-lance
magazine author writing articles about the advantages of electricity for
mine vehicles, cranes, boat propulsion, lighthouses, factory machinery,
and wireless telegraphy.

He intended it as a general-purpose vibration meter. He says he chose a
light-bulb base because checking light sockets was one purpose that came
to mind.

If you tuned in a vibration, you had to use a chart to find the
frequency. It was designed with two weights. With no weight it could
be adjusted up to 65 Hz (about 4,000 rpm). With the heavier weight it
could be adjusted down to 8 Hz (about 500 rpm).

That sounds like good coverage of vehicle engines in 1928, among other
uses. You'd just have to secure a light socket to your engine.

This page shows a vibrometer designed for large machinery such as a
steam engine:
http://www.prestonservices.co.uk/instruments.htm

- spammer

I agree...have you seen the Billy Mays infomercials on the steam
engine test equipment? So annoying!

Spammer -B-Gone!

Jeremy Pleedle wrote:
E Z Peaces wrote:


Frank C Perkins
US Pat 1,687,507
granted Oct 16, 1928

Back about 1904 there was a Frank C Perkins who was a free-lance
magazine author writing articles about the advantages of electricity for
mine vehicles, cranes, boat propulsion, lighthouses, factory machinery,
and wireless telegraphy.

He intended it as a general-purpose vibration meter. He says he chose a
light-bulb base because checking light sockets was one purpose that came
to mind.

If you tuned in a vibration, you had to use a chart to find the
frequency. It was designed with two weights. With no weight it could
be adjusted up to 65 Hz (about 4,000 rpm). With the heavier weight it
could be adjusted down to 8 Hz (about 500 rpm).

That sounds like good coverage of vehicle engines in 1928, among other
uses. You'd just have to secure a light socket to your engine.

This page shows a vibrometer designed for large machinery such as a
steam engine:
http://www.prestonservices.co.uk/instruments.htm

spammer



For any who may be confused, "Jeremy" claims to represent the Society
for the Preservation of Ancient Machinery, Motors, Engines, and
Railstock. Nice to meet you, Jeremy!

On Aug 15, 7:21 pm, E Z Peaces wrote:
Jeremy Pleedle wrote:
E Z Peaces wrote:

Frank C Perkins
US Pat 1,687,507
granted Oct 16, 1928

Back about 1904 there was a Frank C Perkins who was a free-lance
magazine author writing articles about the advantages of electricity for
mine vehicles, cranes, boat propulsion, lighthouses, factory machinery,
and wireless telegraphy.

He intended it as a general-purpose vibration meter. He says he chose a
light-bulb base because checking light sockets was one purpose that came
to mind.

If you tuned in a vibration, you had to use a chart to find the
frequency. It was designed with two weights. With no weight it could
be adjusted up to 65 Hz (about 4,000 rpm). With the heavier weight it
could be adjusted down to 8 Hz (about 500 rpm).

That sounds like good coverage of vehicle engines in 1928, among other
uses. You'd just have to secure a light socket to your engine.

This page shows a vibrometer designed for large machinery such as a
steam engine:
http://www.prestonservices.co.uk/instruments.htm

spammer

For any who may be confused, "Jeremy" claims to represent the Society
for the Preservation of Ancient Machinery, Motors, Engines, and
Railstock. Nice to meet you, Jeremy!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I hope you realized that my reference to Billy Mays meant that some of
aren't confused about Jeremy's intentions.

That Preston Services website is pretty cool!

Jeremy Pleedle wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote:
On 15 Aug, 04:30, "Jeremy Pleedle" wrote:

E Z Peaces wrote: some spam

I agree...have you seen the Billy Mays infomercials on the steam
engine test equipment? So annoying!

Spammer -B-Gone!

I removed a curry stain from my tablecloth with oxyclean. I was most
impressed.
Please see my other post for my opinion on steam cleaners. Not at all like
the adverts, they don't tell us the tiles will fall off!

Mrs Bonk wrote:
Jeremy Pleedle wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote:
On 15 Aug, 04:30, "Jeremy Pleedle" wrote:

E Z Peaces wrote: some spam

I agree...have you seen the Billy Mays infomercials on the steam
engine test equipment? So annoying!
Spammer -B-Gone!

I removed a curry stain from my tablecloth with oxyclean. I was most
impressed.

You wouldn't get curry stains on your tablecloth if you'd stop combing
horses in your kitchen.

Please see my other post for my opinion on steam cleaners. Not at all like
the adverts, they don't tell us the tiles will fall off!


Have you thought of washing your hands before you play scrabble? Then
you wouldn't have to steam clean the board during games.