Tool Needs Identification

[Dave F]

I have been trying to identify this little tool/device for more than 50 years.  It was stored with a bunch of phone stuff, but I never believed it was phone-related.  I recently re-discovered it and thought I would post it here, just for the heck of it.

String is wound on a metal reel which is connected to an internal escapement mechanism, like what you would find in an old alarm clock.  Pulling on the free end of the string causes the escapement to go clickity-click, and the string pays out at a consistent slow rate.  Manually rotating the reel in the opposite direction disconnects the escapement, and the string gets rewound.

With the exception of the steel parts in the escapement the whole thing is made from aluminum.  There are no identifying markings anywhere.

Has anybody ever seen one of these?   Does anybody know what it's called or what it is used for?

DF

[TelePlay]

My first thought was a very old, simple plumb bob tool missing the plumb bob itself, something along the lines of this "newer" more developed tool.

Then, again, could be something totally different.

[5415551212]

I wonder if it has something to do with cable lacing?
Was it with any other lacing tools?

[Dave F]

I wonder if it has something to do with cable lacing?
Was it with any other lacing tools?

No.  In the old days I used to accumulate all sorts of odd things, just because they were interesting in one way or another.  I had this one packed away with a bunch of phone parts, although it probably isn't actually phone related.

DF

[5415551212]

Ahh my next guess would be a fly fishing reel

[RDPipes]

Ya know if this has or had a tension spring within it it could very well be
what hangs from a brace of ceiling like in my shop for a Dremel or like tool
so you can pull it down or move it back up and out of the way, a tool retractor
in a sense.

[Saxonbowman]

It looks similar to a tool used in archery for bowstring serving or wrapping. It may very well be for cable lacing.

[HarrySmith]

I agree with Ron. Some kind of a tool reel device. Does it lock when pulled out to a certain length and released slightly? We have lots of much larger ones in the shop for dispensing oil, etc.

[Dave F]

I agree with Ron. Some kind of a tool reel device. Does it lock when pulled out to a certain length and released slightly? We have lots of much larger ones in the shop for dispensing oil, etc.

There is no lock.  The string will continue to deploy as long as it is being pulled.  Also, the fact that it uses string instead of some stronger material makes it unlikely that  the intended use was for lowering a suspended tool.

DF

[Dave F]

Another interesting thing to note:  Over the years I have showed it to many people, including tool sellers and hardware folks, and nobody had ever seen anything like it or could offer any help.  It's too bad that the manufacturer did not include some identifying information.

Thanks to everyone here for your thoughts - keep them coming!

DF

[HowardPgh]

Does it tick as the string is pulled out? If it did tick, I would think its a measuring tool, each tick designating a distance such as a foot or yard.

[Dave F]

Does it tick as the string is pulled out? If it did tick, I would think its a measuring tool, each tick designating a distance such as a foot or yard.

Yes, it ticks as the string is pulled; however, I think that is simply an artifact of the working of the mechanism rather than an intentional design of use.  But, as others have noted, I could be wrong!

DF

[paul-f]

My first thought was a very old, simple plumb bob tool missing the plumb bob itself, something along the lines of this "newer" more developed tool.

This description is growing on me.

Could the clicking have been to hold tension in a spring that was being wound as the string was pulled? Then if it was released (button or lever?), the string would retract -- eliminating the need to manually rewind it. There may be parts missing.

[Dave F]

This description is growing on me.

Could the clicking have been to hold tension in a spring that was being wound as the string was pulled? Then if it was released (button or lever?), the string would retract -- eliminating the need to manually rewind it. There may be parts missing.

Appears to be complete as shown.  The round cover over the mechanism removes with a single screw.  No unused holes, slots, or other evidence of any place for springs, levers, etc.  Still, you could be right!

This is obviously a factory-made item, not a homemade project.  As such, I'm really surprised that, in 50 years, I have never connected with anybody tool-savvy who has any knowledge of it.  Perhaps, some day, a visitor to this Forum will have the answer.

DF

[paul-f]

... String is wound on a metal reel which is connected to an internal escapement mechanism, like what you would find in an old alarm clock.  Pulling on the free end of the string causes the escapement to go clickity-click, and the string pays out at a consistent slow rate.  Manually rotating the reel in the opposite direction disconnects the escapement, and the string gets rewound.

I may have misinterpreted your description. What part of the "reel" do you grab to manually rewind the string? Does the removable cover rotate with the reel?

If so, or it's easy to rewind the string, this sounds a lot like a complete plumb line / chalk line device. 

The hole on the top lets you hang it where appropriate.

As a plumb line, the mechanism allows you to pull the string (with weight attached) in one direction to the desired length, while keeping the whole thing from unrolling. It then holds the weight at the desired length while checking the vertical line. As you say, the mechanism lets you manually rewind the string when done.

As a chalk line, a piece of chalk with a small channel for the string is fixed in the bottom tapered area. As the string is pulled through, it picks up the chalk, as you pull the string to the end point. Then snap it onto the desired surface. As above, rewind when through.