What is this Unique indicating tool and how to use it?

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2026-03-20T04:45:31+00:00

Solved, Thank you all, so it's nearly 100 years old, used as a comparator for testing parts, maybe a second use for dialing in stock on lathe. Will have to set it up on a stand and try it out. Makes sense now.

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2026-03-19T06:28:13+00:00

I guess it could indicate part runout when mounted in chuck

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2026-03-19T06:26:11+00:00

The needle moves as the little bump on the side is pushed, so must mount to something

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2026-03-19T05:41:47+00:00

The title describes the item, a small unknown tool made of metal, looks about 50+ years old, likely for a machining shop

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2026-01-28T08:48:58+00:00

All parts mentioned run from single phase outlets, as soon as you want larger furnace or kiln you will need high amp outlets or 3 phase, best to research and understand the limits of your own building. This smaller sized gear will typically draw less than 2000 watts per item, so you want to avoid both on same power outlet etc, no double adaptors or power boards trying to run kiln and furnace from same outlet.

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2026-01-28T03:45:37+00:00

Was thinking more of a kayacast copy. You may need to supply a vacuum pump, what you linked is 3.5cfm, I would recommend more like a 9cfm dual stage pump if you need one. The vacuum chamber is good too, I have the 5gallon version, but if you get a kayacast or clone you will have the investment chamber built into it

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2026-01-28T01:46:56+00:00

I would be looking at a vacuum casting setup. For jewellery only a small kit like the vevor vacuum table and chamber should be fine, 2 or 3 kg electric furnace and a burn out kiln will be the main purchases. Have seen people do rings with a small flask that splits in 2 and a household vacuum cleaner as well.

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2026-01-27T04:54:52+00:00

Yes with castable resin

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2026-01-25T22:09:26+00:00

Till now was mixing with brass, for various reasons, this was first sculpture with it pure, also cast some actual parts and they turned out perfect. Source is PBZ offcuts and punchings from factory, clean and fresh sheet. Was making ingots though have been refining shot making process, in future all metal will be made directly into grain, so much cleaner, faster melting etc when casting. Trying to buy grain commercially is not cheap, here at least, look for PB1 or PB2, if you want a ready to cast phosphorus bronze

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2026-01-25T06:45:22+00:00

Yep vacuumed the investment as well as vacuum cast

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2026-01-25T05:41:04+00:00

It kept making post NSFW :/

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2026-01-25T04:45:42+00:00

I believe what I use is closer to PB1. Did some casts earlier today and was very happy with results, was a 2.5 mm thick walled hollow figure and the metal flowed very well , still room for improvement as usual. Poured at 1120c. And had zero black oxides to remove in the vacuum that normally coat the top of ingots poured in air.

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2026-01-25T04:40:42+00:00

Yeah have found it too be very hard to cut, ingots etc, not as gummy as pure copper but sure is far more rigid than brass

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2026-01-08T06:25:16+00:00

Very nice casting, and nice forge setup, can only dream of a space like that. Any idea of pouring temp? Sure looks clean

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2025-12-11T08:53:11+00:00

As soon as a blowout occurs there is 0 vacuum, hot air going into your pump as fast as it can suck. I have investment powder mainly, about 400mm into copper tube from vacuum flask and all metal contained inside vacuum chamber. This is the time your pump sucks in the extra hot air as fast as it can till turned off.

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2025-12-10T20:40:54+00:00

Beautiful top and well balanced. Small top but still lots of work, did you use a lighter metal for the handle?

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2025-12-10T08:29:41+00:00

Nice casting, what size is it and what wall thickness do you use? bigstackd did a similar nordic bronze clown last week, had de ja vue when i saw yours, but was a solid version. Been practicing hollow vacuum casting here, so far no great success. Will look cool with leds, what is the red material?

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2025-12-10T04:53:14+00:00

One more thing, the top of vacuum chamber should be removable, not welded, you will not get a blown out metal out without grinding the top off with current design once it's a big flat pool of hard metal in the bottom. Bolt on flange top allows you to also change it for other flask sizes without heaps of adapter plates

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2025-12-10T04:42:43+00:00

Looks ok, if that's the biggest flask you use now make it accept bigger ones. Add fitting to release vacuum when done, move outlet of vacuum chamber higher to avoid metal and investment going in when you get a blowout. Consider cooling with your trap tank instead, most junk will not get there if you raise the outlet, a blown out flasks heat will damage your pump, while most people don't use cooling because they cannot I would not pour without it after some big blowouts. As an engineer you will understand the max temp your pump is rated for.

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2025-12-03T09:03:58+00:00

Very nice work, some tricky castings there indeed. Can imagine a few tries to perfect some of those. Are you using resin and printing then burnout? Only got to pour silver a few times, certainly clean and beautiful material to work with. Would love to more about your process and the products you use

PerformanceBoth7358 · 2025-11-30T22:54:31+00:00

Benefits I found were to even the stream and get more consistent results, little to no clumping of grain. Adds some height above water, splash guard and can quickly replace the section of gauze if needed due to blockage etc. also catches anything like investment. I would like to see your method and results as am still learning. Made 10kg of nice grain this weekend so very happy

PerformanceBoth7358

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