Author Topic: Whats it for?  (Read 2816 times)

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Offline HeelSpur

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Whats it for?
« on: January 05, 2013, 06:30:21 PM »
This looks like something for re-threading bolts I guess.
Got a travel company when I googled Butterfield.

Butterfield & Co.
Derbyline, VT
Rock Island PO


RooK E

Offline john k

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Re: Whats it for?
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2013, 06:40:46 PM »
Have heard them called an adjustable screwplate.   I have some with 3 different dies, in that slot.  One is marked Rock Island, F.A., which I believe stood for the Federal Arsenal at Rock Island Illinois. 
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Offline WiebeLC

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Re: Whats it for?
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2013, 07:05:53 PM »
I found this site that explains a bit about Butterfield's history
http://townshipsheritage.com/article/butterfields-important-invention-leads-international-factory

Offline Branson

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Re: Whats it for?
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2013, 08:48:35 PM »
Have heard them called an adjustable screwplate.   I have some with 3 different dies, in that slot.  One is marked Rock Island, F.A., which I believe stood for the Federal Arsenal at Rock Island Illinois.

I'd like to see a picture of your RI tool!

It's a typical 19th Century die stock.

Offline Aunt Phil

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Re: Whats it for?
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2013, 02:34:14 AM »
It's a thread restorer.
Used a bit differently from a die. 
For want of a better wird you mount the tool with appropriate thread count onto the good part of the thread and screw it onto and over the bunged threads.  Most times you make 2 passes.  Grainger sold a similar restorer into the 80s that had a single flight tooth so it was universal.

Many times the restorer will save a lot of work that a die won't. 
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance!

Offline Branson

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Re: Whats it for?
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2013, 08:02:34 AM »
Found a little information on Butterfield and Co.

"Butterfield & Co., Derby Line, Vermont, U.S.A., Rock Island, Province Quebec, Canada:
Manufacturers of Taps, Stocks and Dies, Reece's and Derby Screw Plates, Reamers. Taps and Dies for All Uses, Young's Axle Cutter, Tools for Engineer's and Steamfitters' Use"

These could be used for chasing, but the design is for a tap and die for cutting threads.  The photo is of a Butterfield tap and die set made for bicycles.
Similar designs of dies and die stocks have been around since around 1800.