Posted 11 years ago
jonima
(113 items)
Ok folks, I need help identifying what this is. It seems like some sort of old measuring stick, but the number markings are strange. It measures about 3 feet long. Has the brass piece on one end and is rounded on the other end. At first I thought it might be for measuring liquid in a tank, but then figured that didn't make sense with it being wooden. The owner of this was a farmer, but he also worked at the Indianapolis speedway in the very early days. Does anyone know for sure what it was used for? Thanks for any help!
I immediately thought for a tailor...but then you threw in farmer...
Amber, do you know if the measuring tools used by tailors are marked like that with several rows of number together?
If it is marked in cubits, there are a lot of archaeologists who would like to see it!
blunderbuss, why is that?
I'm not really Christian either but it was the unit of measurement given in ancient records for things like Noah's ark & the arc de covenant. To my knowledge, they are still guessing at what length a cubit is. Do any of the figures coincide with metric or inch systems? Yo didn't show a scale beside it so we can't compare it with anything.
The numbers are in inches but only go up to 6 and then those other rows of numbers start. Makes no sense.
That's interesting. Considering that there are 3 rows of numbers, do you mind sharing which row is inches? This could be a fuel tank dip-stick which shows remaining fuel/oil etc. but for custom built race cars I can't imagine them being commercially made.
Looking at the second picture where the brass end is to the right, the line of numbers on the top are the inches, where it looks like regular ruler lines between the numbers.
Sure doesn't coincide with metric. Must be for measuring something specific but I don't have a clue.
Thanks, blunderbuss, I appreciate you trying to figure it out because it sure has me stumped. The section that just looks like a bunch of jumbled numbers is a mystery.
Found out what it is. It's an old lumber ruler / grading stick used by lumber inspectors. The measurements are in quarters since that's how lumber is measured. This comes from a friend with a degree in forestry.
Thanks for letting us know. You just don't know how much sleep I've lost trying to figure this out. LOL. I see it clearly now. Maybe not so clearly after 5 Coronas. Maybe clearly in the morning.
It doesn't belong to me. I was trying to find out info for a friend of mine who owns it.
Your item in question is a lumber inspector's stick. First row is in inches to measure cutting units in a board to determine the grade (FAS,1C,etc...). It also shows the surface measure of a 12' board. Each column of numbers is for quick reference of board surface measure for different lengths. That is a very old grading stick. The new ones we use today have 4 rows on each side. 1 side is for even length boards the other odd ranging from 10' to 16'. So a 16' board 7" wide would read as a 10'sm. After determining the sm you would procede to determine the quality (grade) of the board. Hope i didn't bore you with too much detail.