Mystery Tool - what is it?

[nighthog]

Hi all, I know unusual tools have been on other threads but I thought that maybe this needed a thread of its own. There must be plenty of odd things in the bottom of toolboxes among you all, so don't be shy, show me yours, and I'll .....

... show you mine. This tool was given to me over 25 years ago by a bloke who, I think, inherited it from his dad who had something to do with the motor trade. Here it is, exactly how I got it, still wrapped in the instructions with the very perished elastic band still stuck to it:

Underneath, it looks like this:

So, what do you reckon it is? And roughly how old?

 

[kshansen]

Just wild guessing it is some kind of gauge used in the manufacture of light bulbs? Or other electrical items, such as coils.

 

[nighthog]

I can see where you're coming from, but nope. Too early to give any clues, though ....

 

[Mailman]

Well just a couple of observations, the knurled knob would suggest it is for turning and the A-B indicators would suggest that it is for measuring something is either good or bad, off or on. Something along those lines.

 

[member28833]

C'mon Yamadude ! Chime in and tell us what this is Lol

 

[Jim]

The shiny end is a go/no-go gauge for a bushing and the holes are different gauges for stripping wire insulation.

 

[Brassneck]

Spark plug tester?

 

[Downeaster]

It's a left-handed framis gauge for checking the gap on your dooflotchit. The right-handed version has the A and B hole reversed.

 

[nighthog]

Brassneck is closest! Aaaaaalmost on the money

But what about the age?

 

[Brassneck]

thinking 20's or 30's?

 

[MaxPete]

Some kind of tester for magnetos?

 

[nighthog]

20's, I think. Brassneck, you were so close I reckon you can claim the prize (all you get is kudos, I'm afraid). Pete's close too ... it's an 'ignition spark tester'. Even if it does look like a sex toy ...

 

[Brassneck]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing

 

[MaxPete]

Neat!

I'll bet a lot of folks were grateful to not have to test spark plugs "manually".....

 

[kshansen]

So that is just an older version of this tool:
https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-T..._t=101&pf_rd_i=15707441&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[nighthog]

Yes, I reckon so. I think the old one has a certain charm though! I must see if it actually works ... here are the instructions:

I think it's 1920's given the pictures in the 'user guide'. And at that price, it was an expensive bit of kit! Google tells me there were one or two similar products on the market but I have no idea which came first, dates, anything really but I'd like to know for interest's sake.

 

[Mailman]

That’s pretty cool. I like it!

 

[kshansen]

I'll have to rummage around to see if I can find some odd old tools to post

 

[DogBunny]

I picked this up for a couple bucks at the tool table at the Lonestar Rod & Kustom Round Up a couple of years ago. It is the modern version of your spark tester. You press the curve on the left in the pic against a plug wire. The thing in the middle of the tester that looks like a glass fuse is actually a tube filled with a gas that lights up each time a spark is made. The writing on the far right side in the pic says "Warning Avoid Moving Parts."
Works great if you are in an enclosed garage out in the country at midnight during a new moon with all of the lights out. Otherwise, not so much...

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

I like this pic.



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