When I'm 64

[Martin Shaw]

I need wonder no longer as todays the day. Whilst pottering in the workshop this afternoon, muttering imprecations to the Chinese patron saint of lathe assemblers, and sorting out the saddle retention arrangements, which spectacularly failed over the Christmas break, causing the sort of dig in that normally breaks things, I had the chance to use the daughters Chrismas present.

When she came for lunch on Christmas day, her comments to me were, "I didn't know I was getting you this, I don't know what it is, I don't know what it's used for, and even if I did I wouldn't know how to use it, but Happy Christmas Dad". I have obviously reached an age where I can get really useful presents. SWMBO took me out tonight and forced beer and curry down me, didn't ask any difficult questions about interior decor, so I guess she does still love me.

Regards
Martin

 

[Pencarrow]

Happy Birthday Martin. If it helps I'm in your daughter's camp too. No idea what that is.

 

[Martin Shaw]

Thanks Chris. It is a digital height gauge, the handwheel moves the head up and down the column setting the height of the scriber which you then draw the workpiece across giving hopefully an accurate marked measurement. It looks high tech but in reality the concept is old, ideally you should use it on a surface plate, but that's a bit over the top for toy trains.

Thanks also to all the likes.

Regards
Martin (with a slightly heavy head).

 

[Rob Pulham]

Many Happy Returns Martin -

From someone who did know what it was but only from a recent discussion on the GOG forum

 

[Locomodels]

Happy Birthday Martin.

Yes very useful present. Mine is the old vernier type so have to get the magnifying lens out these days. Oh yes, I also have a surface plate!

Regards, Paul.

 

[unklian]

Happy Birthday Martin,
Nice Christmas pressy, you could always find a piece of thick plate glass as a cheap ( and easily moved ! ) surface plate. Just don't drop the height gauge on it .
Cheers Ian

 

[simond]

Happy Birthday Martin,

If you’re anywhere near a kitchen fitter’s, go see if they have an offcut of granite worktop. It might have a blemish that makes it no good for a kitchen, but as an impromptu surface plate, maybe for pocket money cash...

Best
Simon

Btw, what breed is your height gauge?

 

[Martin Shaw]

Ian
Yes, obvious now you mention it
Simon
I know just where to go. It came from The Allendale Group in Hoddesdon Herts, 12" high which I think plenty big enough for 7mm, and cost £140 inc VAT and delivery which I thought not excessive, given that Mitutoyo all singing ones seem to be several grand. It is marketed as an own brand and will measure to 2 decimal places, which is rather better than my eyesight. Don't go on their website, it is far too tempting.

Thanks for all the kind thoughts, it was a discussion over dinner last night after our stateside trip in November that prompted the obscure Beatles connection. Lovely day here but the frost never lifted.
Best wishes all for 2018.
Regards
Martin