Ed Batchelor Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 During a recent request to rehome some workshop equipment I came across a set of reamers which I'm sure will be ex WD and a long (40") straight edge in a wooden box that judging by the markings is connected with the RAF. They would all have been bought from our local army surplus dealer at one time I'm sure. Any information on the straight edge as to its original purpose would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean N Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 RAE Bedford was, as the name suggests, an outpost of the Royal Aircraft Establishment (having been a WW2 RAF base) where a lot of aircraft experimental work was carried out, including carrier and VSTOL development. Given the RAE Bedford insp. dept. plaque it's probably for general mechanical / engineering inspection work, rather than a specific purpose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 (edited) I think the 'straight edge' is what it says on the box, a scale rather than an edge. Typically the 184/61 marking would mean it was the 184th scale made in 1961, and that date would match the plastic label plate type. I would expect the reamers and handles to have manufacturers marks, which may tell us more. It is quite possible they are over a hundred years old, per the stamping, and I'd guess they are good for a while yet. One thing you might try is to lift out the wooden insert that all the reamers are held in, just in case there is an invoice, or a guarantee form, loose under neath it. I don't think either have a specific purpose other than general engineering tooling, but nice items regardless. Edited December 23, 2016 by Gordon_M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Batchelor Posted December 27, 2016 Author Share Posted December 27, 2016 They are all marked with makers name but no paperwork. There is a parallel and tapered of each size. Dad reminded me we have another set but larger sizes, they're in the workshop somewhere will have a look and see if they are dated or from the same maker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 28, 2016 Share Posted December 28, 2016 Is'nt Standard in this case a tolerance of 1/1000 to the inch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted December 28, 2016 Share Posted December 28, 2016 I think the 'straight edge' is what it says on the box, a scale rather than an edge. Typically the 184/61 marking would mean it was the 184th scale made in 1961, and that date would match the plastic label plate type. I think the 184/61 is an item number of the makers, E.R. Watts, as their company name changed in 1948 so likely this item is earlier than 1961. http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/E._R._Watts_and_Son Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1950 Posted December 28, 2016 Share Posted December 28, 2016 When you drill a hole while working on aircraft, you then put a reamer through the hole to smooth it through the material to inhibit cracking. Hence parallel reamers. That is my understanding anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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