What is this thing?

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What is this cylindrical metal thing found with machinist tools? (lemmy.world)

submitted 6 days ago by Doublythumbs@lemmy.world to c/whatisthisthing@lemmy.world

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I recently bought a few machinist chests full of tools and other goodies. I'm not a machinist myself, but I'm familiar with a lot of the tools associated with the trade. This piece is a smooth solid steel cylinder with four equal spaced holes bored completely through it. It measures approximately 5.5" long and 2.25" diameter. Weighs almost 4-1/2 lbs. The end has stamped "Feb. 48 Eddie Champ." The other end is identical minus the engraving.

I suspect it might be a cylindrical square, but I've not seen examples quite like this. It came with a plastic sleeve.

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[–] tal@lemmy.today 1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

There's an "Ed Champ" here that sounds like he's done part fabrication. Maybe try asking him? He'd probably get a kick out of it if he's Eddie.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-champ-202022154

Automation Engineer

Hobart Brothers LLC

Oct 2023 - Present 1 yr 5 mos

Troy, Ohio, United States

Systems Integration Director

Navus, Inc.

Aug 2015 - Oct 2023 8 yrs 3 mos

Staff Engineer

Myers Spring Co., Inc

Jan 2014 - Aug 2015 1 yr 8 mos

Designed, developed and programmed automated wire-forming equipment

Engineered spring grinding and wire-form tooling

Developed proficiency and trained operators on state-of-the-art spring end grinding equipment

Updated plant-wide manually controlled processes to improve equipment power efficiency and create automated control solutions

Automation Engineer

A. Raymond Tinnerman Manufacturing, Inc.

Apr 1999 - Jan 2014 14 yrs 10 mos

Engineered electrical control systems for automated assembly equipment and process control

Developed PLC and HMI applications using Rockwell Automation products

Integrated machine vision inspection systems for high-speed sorting equipment

Installed and programmed Fanuc 6-axis robotic welders and Epson SCARA robots

Developed electrical schematics with AutoCAD

Updated machinery to improve overall equipment efficiency and operator safety

Electrician

Whallon Machinery, Inc.

Apr 1996 - Apr 1999 3 yrs 1 mo

Fabricated electrical control panels for automated material handling systems

Installed conduit and wired systems per customer's specifications

Engaged in initial machine start-up and testing

Engineering Technician

Indiana Department of Transportation

Dec 1992 - Aug 1996 3 yrs 9 mos

Operated and maintained mobile highway surface deflection testing equipment

Analyzed test data and reported to engineering department

Worked independently and coordinated support personnel

Education

Purdue University

Bachelor of Science - BS Aviation Technology

1987 - 1992

[–] tal@lemmy.today 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

I'd add that if I had to make a guess, he was apparently involved with creating spring-making machines, forming wire, and that seems like a good guess as to the relevant job he was at. I don't know how those spring coils are made, but I wonder if they involve jamming wire down a hole about that size.

hits Google Images

They do have some components on them that look similar to what you've got there:

https://www.google.com/search?q=spring+making+machine&tbs=imgo%3A1&udm=2

Like:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=yYTgiAMSTNA

Or:

https://www.instructables.com/Spring-Making-Wire-Bending-Machine/?amp_page=true