MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Stanley]

You've all gone dead! Here's a clue....

[plaques]

A second try.

P9140111AC.jpg

[Stanley]

You got it. The Con Club on Station Road. Next for shaving?

[Stanley]

All right, it's an interval timer! But what was it originally intended to be used for.

[Stanley]

Earth to Oneguy....... Are you receiving me?

[PanBiker]

I thought it was a pigeon timer at first glance but I think its something to do with textiles, I'm sure we have seen it before?

[plaques]

Used in dark rooms for timing film development, You didn't have to have any white light to hear it go 'Ping' . On the other hand it could have been used as a mini alarm clock when you were taking 40 winks. You could then claim it was measuring pressure drop rates or some other fictitious events.

[Tizer]

The numbers go backwards round the dial compared with a clock so I suspect it belongs to Dr Who.

[Stanley]

P is right of course, Mainly used for timing developer immersion when processing Film. I still use it as a reminder or even an alarm clock for my afternoon sleep if I want to be up at a certain time. How about this one?

[Tizer]

It looks like a standard timer of the type used in laboratories. Sue could probably confirm that.

[PanBiker]

I'm not sure but we have one exactly like it.

[Big Kev]

I remember using one of them in the lab at school

[Stanley]

You're all right of course. I used it in the dark room for keeping track of exposures. It has a seconds tick and you could count them in the dark or dim red light to give you the timing.
Next one?

[Stanley]

Try an oldie......

[Tizer]

Engineer's version of a Rubik cube?

[Stanley]

No, more useful than that Tiz. A lovely example of the ironfounder's art. Think of the pattern that was needed to make the mould. Clue, it's an accessory on a steam engine.....

[Stanley]

No takers? I'll give it one more day.....

[Bodger]

Rotary union for supplying steam to a revolving drum ?

[Tizer]

Bodger's suggestion must be correct - it's got all the right sort of words in it!

[Stanley]

Sorry Bodge, no but I can see why you went for that. You need a big clue. The pic is of a brand new gizmo, here's the same thing but in its proper place.



This is a different design but does the same job.

[chinatyke]

Pure guess: hydraulic pump?

[Gloria]

Is the main fly wheel actuating the verticle bar as an eccentric cam would??

[Gloria]

Is the container partly filled with oil and pumped to various parts of the steam engine that require ongoing lubrication??

[Stanley]

Well done Gloria! China was right of course as it pumps oil but you have nailed it. All four main bearings on the flywheel shaft and the second motion pulley have one each, driven off the shaft and they circulate oil round the big bearings as long as the engine is running.



Here's another new one, same job but this is a gear pump.

Now try this one....

[Stanley]

Wake up at the back!