Height Gage Magnifier

[jjr2001]

I have this old Starrett 12" height gage that I like to use for layouts. Eyes are not what they used to be so I needed an assist.
Cut a slice of magnifier from an old Bausch and Lomb reading magnifier. I glued it to the vernier slide and there it is. Instant 2X
magnification. Much faster than holding up my little round magnifier to the scale.

Cheers, JR

No vintage tools were harmed in this mod.

[rossbotics]

Hey JR.
I use to have a 6" Starrett height gage and used it for years until I got like you and couldn't see good enough to line up the graduations any more, even with glasses it was still difficult, had to go digital a few years ago, great idea !

Doug

[jjr2001]

Thanks Doug, I have considered a new 6" digital or even a dial but I was concerned that 6" was a bit small.
Do you find that you have to revert to something other than the 6" digital for long measurements?

Cheers, JR

[rossbotics]

Thanks Doug, I have considered a new 6" digital or even a dial but I was concerned that 6" was a bit small.
Do you find that you have to revert to something other than the 6" digital for long measurements?

Cheers, JR

Thanks JR.
I forgot to mention I have this 12" dial height gage that I use when the 6" isn't enough, (see photo below) but the 6" one works 90% of the time, never enough tools.

Doug

[jjr2001]

Thanks Doug, I think the use of a digital would streamline my layouts a bit. I think I will make
one for a 6" digital vernier that I have in my "clean room". I will post it when done.

Thanks again, JR

[DIYer]

Thanks rossbotics! We've added your Tall Height Gauge to our Height and Depth Gauges category,
as well as to your builder page: rossbotics's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Tall Height Gauge by rossbotics

tags: height gauge

[DIYer]

Thanks jjr2001! We've added your Height Gauge Magnifier to our Measuring and Marking category,
as well as to your builder page: jjr2001's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Height Gauge Magnifier by jjr2001

tags: magnifier

[Toolmaker51]

I have this old Starrett 12" height gage that I like to use for layouts. Eyes are not what they used to be so I needed an assist.
Cut a slice of magnifier from an old Bausch and Lomb reading magnifier. I glued it to the vernier slide and there it is. Instant 2X
magnification. Much faster than holding up my little round magnifier to the scale.

Cheers, JR

No vintage tools were harmed in this mod.

'No vintage tools were harmed..." Lol x 3.
The real benefit of linear magnification specially helps a vernier, compared to a circular lens. All about the image, an inch's worth of tiny lines. It would take a larger round lens to make reading a vernier [correctly interpreting which marks coincide] clearly, versus a rectangular magnifier. It's less obvious on a caliper, usually positioned directly towards the machinist.

.

[jjr2001]

Thanks TM51, I like using my old tools since they were my Dad's, some of which date back to just after WWII.
There is just nothing like using Dad's vintage tools in the shop.

Cheers, JR

[Toolmaker51]

Thanks TM51, I like using my old tools since they were my Dad's, some of which date back to just after WWII.
There is just nothing like using Dad's vintage tools in the shop.

Cheers, JR

Agreed, there is something about using Dad's treasures. I have his 20ga Remington 870, a Weatherby XXII, a wonderful fiberglass rod and Phflueger reel, all kinds of tools...and him too! 99 years old mid January and still driving cars and motorhome!