Help! > Machines, Tools and Fixtures
What's the best use for this?
PaulR:
I was recently given this Stanley tabletop training theodolite which I think dates from the 1960s. The base has a nice big 360 degree scale with a firm clamp, that I might be able to modify to be of use in the workshop. I don't have a rotary table or a milling machine :Lol: and I made a simple detent for marking off angles in the lathe but this might be more flexible.
What do you think it could be used for?
Failing all else I'll probably chop it up for materials - not sure how easy it would be to remove the hammered finish though. There are some nice standards with bronze bearings there, shame the holes are diamond shaped. I have the telescope etc which might be a nice piece of tube as well.
PS I already know how to use a theodolite and it's not worth much so some other use or cannibalizing is the way to go.
Jasonb:
Keep the scale at the bottom for a workshop tool. As for the top, remove the compass and sit a steam cylinder there, crankshaft between the two uprights and you only need a flywheel to get an engine going.
PaulR:
--- Quote from: Jasonb on July 02, 2026, 08:26:37 pm ---Keep the scale at the bottom for a workshop tool. As for the top, remove the compass and sit a steam cylinder there, crankshaft between the two uprights and you only need a flywheel to get an engine going.
--- End quote ---
Good idea but what to actually use the scale for....
ShopShoe:
That's a marvelous scale.
If I let my brainstorming totally loose I could see building a tool grinder for finishing custom setup blocks or angled parts, or for sharpening cutting tools.
Of course the obvious use is a rotary table or indexer. Having a separate scale would allow building in a calibration feature.
If kids compete in science fairs where you live the device could be used by a student to create a precision instrument for studying optics, aiming laser devices, or studying reflection and diffraction of sound waves or radio waves.
ShopShoe
PaulR:
--- Quote from: ShopShoe on July 03, 2026, 01:39:13 pm ---That's a marvelous scale.
If I let my brainstorming totally loose I could see building a tool grinder for finishing custom setup blocks or angled parts, or for sharpening cutting tools.
Of course the obvious use is a rotary table or indexer. Having a separate scale would allow building in a calibration feature.
If kids compete in science fairs where you live the device could be used by a student to create a precision instrument for studying optics, aiming laser devices, or studying reflection and diffraction of sound waves or radio waves.
--- End quote ---
Thanks for those ideas, much appreciated. I think I need to dismantle it to figure out how it could be put used in the workshop - those pesky kids aren't having it! :Lol:
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