Lufkin Tools

Lufkin Rule Company was a maker of measuring tools from 1869 to 1967, when the brand was acquired by Cooper Industries. In the early- to mid-20th century they competed with Starrett, Brown and Sharpe, and other brands that manufactured precision machinist's measuring devices such as micrometers, depth gages, and screw pitch gages.

These days, Lufkin items enjoy a fair bit of activity on eBay and, at times at least, can be acquired at reasonable cost. The tools shown below were purchased by me during 2014 and 2015 from eBay.com. Most of them will never be used for their intended purposes. However, the precision and excellence that these tools exhibit make them a pleasure to own and to show to others.

The tools are listed in order by Lufkin's part number, if applicable. Also shown are Lufkin catalog pages with relevant areas highlighted. Catalog pages are courtesy of Rose Tool, Inc.

-- Stan Cleveland, McMinnville, Oregon

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My Collection of Lufkin Tools

No. 20S Steel Rule Set

Rule set and holder, showing side with 1/64th-inch markings.

Rule set and holder, showing side with 1/32th-inch markings.

Rule set and holder shown stored in the provided vinyl case.

Closed vinyl case containing rule set and holder.

Catalog page from Lufkin Precision Catalog No. 7, circa 1947.
 

No. 36 Center Gage

The front of the center gage, used to adjust screw cutting tools.

The back of the center gage. An engraved table lists dbox depth of sharp threads by TPI (threads per inch).

Catalog page from Lufkin Precision Catalog No. 7, circa 1947.
 

No. 74C 28-Pitch Screw Pitch Gage With Locks

Front of screw pitch gage with blades partially fanned out.

Back of screw pitch gage, showing the thumbwheel locks.
An engraved table lists double depth of sharp threads by TPI (threads per inch).

The box for the screw pitch gage.

Catalog page from Lufkin Precision Catalog No. 7, circa 1947.
 

No. 77C 24-Piece Radius Gage Set

Three radius gages (1/32", 1/4", and 1/2") from the set.

Radius gage set stored in optional leatherette case.

Closed leatherette case containing radius gage set.

Catalog page from Lufkin Precision Catalog No. 7, circa 1947.
 

No. 78S Small Hole Gages Set

Small hole gages from the set.

Small hole gages set stored in optional vinyl case.

Closed vinyl case containing small hole gages set.

Catalog page from Lufkin Precision Catalog No. 7, circa 1947.
 

No. 87A Pocket Scriber

Pocket scriber.

Catalog page from Lufkin Precision Catalog No. 7, circa 1947.
 

No. 97-1/2 Steel Reference Table and Rule

The front of the reference rule, showing tap drills table and rule by 32nds.

The front of the reference rule, showing decimal equivalents table and rule by 64ths.

Catalog page from Lufkin Precision Catalog No. 7, circa 1947.
 

No. 140 2" Toolmakers Spring Divider

2" spring divider.

Catalog page from Lufkin Precision Catalog No. 7, circa 1947.
 

No. 197-S Pin Vise Set

Pin vises from the set.

Pin vise set stored in optional vinyl case.

Closed vinyl case containing pin vise set.

Catalog page from Lufkin Precision Catalog No. 8, circa 1955-59.
 

No. 926TA 72" Printers Tape-Rule

This is a tape measure with specialized units (picas, points, and agate lines) for printing trade workers.
The markings use the old printer's standard where 72 points = 0.996 inch.
Printers now use the newer Adobe standard of 72 points per inch, so this tape is obsolete.

Catalog page from Lufkin General Catalog No. 12-B.
 

No. 1661V 1" Micrometer

The front of the micrometer with the supplied tool used for calibration.
The V at the end of the product number indicates accuracy to 1/10,000 inch.
Note the table of decimal equivalents (by 32nds) engraved on the frame.

The back of the micrometer. Another table of decimal
equivalents (by 64ths) is engraved this side of the frame.

Catalog page from Lufkin Precision Catalog No. 8, circa 1955.
 

No. 1642V 2" Micrometer

The front of the micrometer with the supplied tools used for calibration.
The V at the end of the product number indicates accuracy to 1/10,000 inch.
Note the table of decimal equivalents (by 32nds) engraved on the frame.

The back of the micrometer. Another table of decimal
equivalents (by 64ths) is engraved this side of the frame.

The box for the micrometer.

Catalog page from Lufkin Precision Catalog No. 7, circa 1947.
 

No. 1671A Automatic Center Punch

An internal spring delivers the force, rather than a hammer, to mark locations on a work surface.

Catalog page from Lufkin Precision Catalog No. 7, circa 1947.
 

No. C2105R 6" Rule

The front of the rule, showing scales for 10ths and 100ths of an inch.

The back of the rule, showing scales for 32nds and 64ths of an inch.

Catalog page from Lufkin Precision Catalog No. 7, circa 1947.
 

No. C2105R 24" Rule

The front of the rule, showing scales for 10ths and 100ths of an inch.

The back of the rule, showing scales for 32nds and 64ths of an inch.

Catalog page from Lufkin Precision Catalog No. 7, circa 1947.
 

No. S572 Type Rule

This is a rule with specialized units (points) for printing trade workers.
Specifically, it shows the number of lines of type for common line heights of 6, 8, 10, and 12 points.
The markings use the old printer's standard where 72 points = 0.996 inch.
Printers now use the newer Adobe standard of 72 points per inch, so this rule is obsolete.

The back of the rule, showing scales for 8 and 10 points per line.

Catalog page from Lufkin General Catalog No. 12-B.
Note that none of the catalog descriptions accurately describe my particular rule.
My rule is stainless and has a combination of scales not found in the 12-B catalog.
It's my supposition that my particular rule was found in an earlier or later catalog.
 

1" and 2" Test Gages

Variously known as test gages, standards, or reference blocks, these are used
to calibrate micrometers. The upper gage is 1" diameter and the lower gage is 2" long.
 

Catalog page from Lufkin General Catalog No. 12-B.