Question about a vintage tripod

[p***@hotmail.com]

Hello group,

I am an amature surveyor. A friend of mine recently gave me a
vintage tripod that his father used back in the 30's and 40's when
surveying right of way for the rural electric co-op. The threads on it
are 3 1/2" but are finer than the standard 8 tpi. Does anyone have an
idea as to what this is? It came in a canvas bag that seems to be
impregnated with some sort of oil or grease.

Thanks in advance,
Pete

[Norma Desmond]

"amateur surveyor"?! Hey, did you used to be a doctor?

Post by p***@hotmail.com
Hello group,
I am an amature surveyor. A friend of mine recently

gave me a

Post by p***@hotmail.com
vintage tripod that his father used back in the 30's and

40's when

Post by p***@hotmail.com
surveying right of way for the rural electric co-op. The

threads on it

Post by p***@hotmail.com
are 3 1/2" but are finer than the standard 8 tpi. Does

anyone have an

Post by p***@hotmail.com
idea as to what this is? It came in a canvas bag that

seems to be

Post by p***@hotmail.com
impregnated with some sort of oil or grease.
Thanks in advance,
Pete

[C.M.German]

He apparently has the education to be a doctor, re; spelling..........

Post by Norma Desmond
"amateur surveyor"?! Hey, did you used to be a doctor?

Post by p***@hotmail.com
Hello group,
I am an amature surveyor. A friend of mine recently

gave me a

Post by p***@hotmail.com
vintage tripod that his father used back in the 30's and

40's when

Post by p***@hotmail.com
surveying right of way for the rural electric co-op. The

threads on it

Post by p***@hotmail.com
are 3 1/2" but are finer than the standard 8 tpi. Does

anyone have an

Post by p***@hotmail.com
idea as to what this is? It came in a canvas bag that

seems to be

Post by p***@hotmail.com
impregnated with some sort of oil or grease.
Thanks in advance,
Pete

[Richard M Pisko]

Post by Norma Desmond
"amateur surveyor"?! Hey, did you used to be a doctor?

Could be he just loves surveying, without intending to do anything
useful, and purely for himself. Like making a map of the trees in his
orchard using antique instruments.

I have a nice old 90% original finish tripod, with 3-1/2 x 12 threads
myself; doesn't fit any instruments I've collected ... do you have a
transit that fits?

I bought an old K&E Paragon from someone in this group, and he didn't
insult me, nor did he seem threatened by my having more modern
theodolites.

[p***@hotmail.com]

My, my, ask a simple question and get a couple of simpletons.

First, thank you Richard for your reply. I don’t have an instrument
that fits my tripod. I do
collect antique surveying equipment and also enjoy restoring them. I
especially enjoy calibrating
the instruments. I have never found an instrument with fine threads
like those on my tripod and
have inquired with numerous surveyors and dealers and have been unable
to find out any
information about it.

Amateur yes, unqualified no. My father was a registered surveyor for
over 40 years. While
growing up I was his rod man for a dozen or so of those years. While I
do have the knowledge
and experience to qualify I chose not to follow in my fathers
footsteps. It appears however that
he neglected to educate me about all of the qualities necessary to be a
“Professional”, perhaps
because he did not possess these qualities himself. I note from a few
of the replies and replies in
other posts that arrogance and conceit are evidently two qualifications
required.

As far as comparing yourself to Doctors it seems you are pretty full of
yourself. The educational
and internship required to become a “Professional” surveyor is a
walk in the park compared to
what is required to become an Doctor and as a member of that profession
I take exception to the
fact that you would even do so. My chosen field of practice is
proctology but even without my
extensive training and experience I would be able to recognize an
asshole when I see one. That
fact is so painfully obvious that Ray Charles, if he were still alive,
could have seen it.

Pete

[earth]

Amen, Pete!
<***@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:***@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
My, my, ask a simple question and get a couple of simpletons.

First, thank you Richard for your reply. I don't have an instrument
that fits my tripod. I do
collect antique surveying equipment and also enjoy restoring them. I
especially enjoy calibrating
the instruments. I have never found an instrument with fine threads
like those on my tripod and
have inquired with numerous surveyors and dealers and have been unable
to find out any
information about it.

Amateur yes, unqualified no. My father was a registered surveyor for
over 40 years. While
growing up I was his rod man for a dozen or so of those years. While I
do have the knowledge
and experience to qualify I chose not to follow in my fathers
footsteps. It appears however that
he neglected to educate me about all of the qualities necessary to be a
"Professional", perhaps
because he did not possess these qualities himself. I note from a few
of the replies and replies in
other posts that arrogance and conceit are evidently two qualifications
required.

As far as comparing yourself to Doctors it seems you are pretty full of
yourself. The educational
and internship required to become a "Professional" surveyor is a
walk in the park compared to
what is required to become an Doctor and as a member of that profession
I take exception to the
fact that you would even do so. My chosen field of practice is
proctology but even without my
extensive training and experience I would be able to recognize an
asshole when I see one. That
fact is so painfully obvious that Ray Charles, if he were still alive,
could have seen it.

Pete

[w***@nyx.net]

Pete,

Are there no identifying letters or numbers on the head or legs?

I, too, am an "amateur" and recently sold a 1941 K&E transit/level
that had a non-standard tripod.

The fine thread you have is intriguing, and may be for some kind
of proprietary surveying or astronomical instrument.

Best,
Bill
***@nyx.net

[Jim Pauk]

Pete, are you positive that it's 3 1/2" and not 3 1/4 inches? Some of
the older Berger (and maybe Buff too) had a 3 1/4" thread and I believe
it was a finer thread than 8 tpi.

Post by p***@hotmail.com
Hello group,
I am an amature surveyor. A friend of mine recently gave me a
vintage tripod that his father used back in the 30's and 40's when
surveying right of way for the rural electric co-op. The threads on it
are 3 1/2" but are finer than the standard 8 tpi. Does anyone have an
idea as to what this is? It came in a canvas bag that seems to be
impregnated with some sort of oil or grease.
Thanks in advance,
Pete

[Jeffrey W. Austin]

Pete, are you positive that it's 3 1/2" and not 3 1/4 inches? Some of the
older Berger (and maybe Buff too) had a 3 1/4" thread and I believe it was
a finer thread than 8 tpi.

You're right Jim, I've got an old Ainsworth & Sons that seems to be about
2-7/8" and 13 threads per inch.

Based on my measuring ability at the end of a crappy day... YMMV :)

-Jeff

[p***@hotmail.com]

OK guys and gals here it is. I measured the threads and the od is
approx. 4 7/8", the thread count appears to be 10 tpi.

I really appreciate everybody's input.

[Jerry L. Wahl]

There were many proprietary tripods in the early days. It is possibly
valuable. I can think of older transit and compass tripods with
different diameters and thread pitches. A young and son's compass
tripod is similar to that. Email me and I will be glad to measure and
maybe even make an offer.

- jlw

Post by p***@hotmail.com
OK guys and gals here it is. I measured the threads and the od is
approx. 4 7/8", the thread count appears to be 10 tpi.
I really appreciate everybody's input.