MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Gloria]

What's this??

image.jpeg

[Stanley]

I think it started its life as a hand operated petrol pump. A very early model!

[Gloria]

Well done, that didn't last long, spot on Stanley.

[Tizer]

My thoughts about the pressing out of military buttons was because most of those for the British military in the late 1700s were being done in Soho, Birmingham, by Matthew Boulton. James Watt got him to start using a steam engine and then they used the same apparatus for pressing tokens when there was a shortage of coins.

[Stanley]

I apologise for killing it off so soon Gloria.....

[Gloria]

I apologise for killing it off so soon Gloria.....

No problem Stanley.

[Stanley]

Can anyone tell me what this is? Be careful, the lettering may give a clue but that's not the whole story. It's made of cast iron.

[chinatyke]

Ratchet cog. Possibly used on a loom on the end of the beam that receives the woven cloth. Just guessing!

[Stanley]

Sorry, and this is a clue, you are wrong on all counts. Give it all a bit of thought. This one isn't easy or obvious but looking up the name might help.....

[plaques]

I was going to say part of the governor mechanism to stop your balls flying out too far, Well that's what you said to Daniel Meadows.
But now I'll restrain myself to a weaving loom pick counter ratchet.

[Marilyn]

...balls flying out too far....
Don't know...looks like a screw head with teeth.

[chinatyke]

Taking a completely new look at it, it has a solid centre so is it a pattern for casting these gear wheel thing-a-mi bobs? A mould maker form or whatever you call them?

[Stanley]

Excellent China! You and P have it between you. It's a cast iron pattern for making the ratchet wheel used in the Wilby regulator on a Lumb steam engine governor. I don't know why it has a Yates patent number on it.
The main part of the puzzle as far as I was concerned was recognising that it is a pattern.
Incidentally, patterns were usually made out of wood but if you were going to make a lot they were made out of cast iron or aluminium for longevity.
Next one?

[plaques]

The last open day at Bankcroft I took this photo.
.


It stops Stanley's balls flying out when he gets too much steam up.

[Cathy]

This should be interesting

[plaques]

Actually we all know what it is but I'll leave it for Stanley's comment.
Also as a reminder of what Stanley sounds like. Smooth talking bugger that he is. Thespian Stanley.

[Stanley]

You're dead right of course, the ratchet wheel that is the heart of the Wilby regulator on the Lumb governor.
Loved the clip from my interview with Daniel. You have to admit I was talking sense and have stuck to the plan. Now, as has been pointed out elsewhere, I am three years beyond the fourth 20 year segment of the ideal life. I thing the fifth segment is best described as surviving, being useful and continuing to avoid stress.
Someone put another object up please?

[plaques]

Try this one. A close up of something bigger but portable.

[Gloria]

I know

[Wendyf]

Me too!

[chinatyke]

Me too!

[plaques]

So far its, one off "I know" and two off "me too". Its like pulling teeth. All will be revealed tomorrow morning.

[Wendyf]

Is it a hoist?

[Marilyn]

A Jack?

[Stanley]

Chain blocks.....