Wheels had hubs. Besides, they didn't stay round.
If a customer had a damaged wheel, I think giving it a spin under the traveler would be an easy to see what size it had been.
Measuring flat iron for a tire was easy: roll the wheel along it, then cut 2 or 3" longer. Bending it into a circle would shorten it. That's where the traveler came in: measure the wheel and measure the C-shaped tire before welding.
Good guess! Plug cutter is correct. It was a good week, I'm always happy when the mystery items all get identified. The answers for this set can be seen here:
Rob
2839: According to H. G. Holmstrom in _Modern__Blacksmithing_ (1904), the traveler was not required to measure the flat iron. It was used after the tire was bent into a circle, which was probably irregular.
Thanks for the link, I added it to my answer. I didn't have time to read the whole article but will read it later today or tomorrow when I get time.
Rob
2846: The arms look spindly. I wonder if they're metal. Near the arms, there's a wide groove across the board on the side that would be up. I wonder if it's for slicing through something instead of cutting against the board. The last raised portion could serve as a visual gage to slice something into 1" pieces and drop them into a container about 24" in diameter. I've never seen a barrel of pickled eel. 2848: Are the push buttons electrical? There are mirror sundials. Perhaps XI is for the hour around 11 AM and the XII is for the hour around noon.
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required