Here are my plumb bobs. I think I have some in a cabinet in the house also.

 

The one in the box on the left I got yesterday. It is a K&E as is the one in the leather next to it.

 

Plumb Bobs!!!! Did I hear plumb bobs!!!!!!! I love plumb bobs!

Nice looking collection John, very nice indeed!

The plumb bob on the tape reel, can you explain that reel? Is it a steel tape? What measuring system or markings are used? And how long is it, looks like 25'?

Nice Collection!

1 minute ago, John Morris said:

Plumb Bobs!!!! Did I hear plumb bobs!!!!!!! I love plumb bobs!

Nice looking collection John, very nice indeed!

The plumb bob on the tape reel, can you explain that reel? Is it a steel tape? What measuring system or markings are used?

 I think someone may be coveting the plumb bob on the reel...  

10 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Plumb Bobs!!!! Did I hear plumb bobs!!!!!!! I love plumb bobs!

Nice looking collection John, very nice indeed!

The plumb bob on the tape reel, can you explain that reel? Is it a steel tape? What measuring system or markings are used? And how long is it, looks like 25'?

 

John, I didn't roll it all the way out but it is at least 25'. It is a Lufkin rule, black with steel numbers.

 

The plumb bob and rule are both marked Lufkin.

 

 

Very cool John, thanks for showing me, so it is imperial measurements, suggesting it was used for building and carpentry layout. That is really neat, I have never seen a plum bob tape combination like that.

Looking closer, it appears imperial accurate to the 1/8", but the numbers are strange, how they are ordered, hmmmmmm.

5 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Looking closer, it appears imperial accurate to the quarter inch, but the numbers are strange, how they are ordered, hmmmmmm.

 

I noticed that when I ran it out. It starts at 1" though and adds the foot marking to it as it goes out.

1 hour ago, John Moody said:

 

I noticed that when I ran it out. It starts at 1" though and adds the foot marking to it as it goes out.

Maybe it is used to measure heights/depths  so you don't have to determine the foot value if it is over a ledge.

Really nice collection...I only have two of the pictured; bottom center two; Your K&E's especially the one in the box are nice finds.

The Lufkin with the tape is awesome. Very unique...I'm like John, I've never seen anything like that one. 

Cool!  I really like the ones with the leather belt pouches.

 

6 hours ago, lew said:

Maybe it is used to measure heights/depths  so you don't have to determine the foot value if it is over a ledge.

That would be my guess also

The one with the metal tape is probably for measuring fuel level in a tank...  

 

Those two on the lower right appear to be the mercury filled Starretts...   have one of those myself - nice collection!  

to use a plumb bob outdoors on a breezy day use a length of rigid PVC large dia pipe to shield the line from the breeze/wind...

cut a notch in the bottom of the pipe to view the bob..

11 hours ago, p_toad said:

The one with the metal tape is probably for measuring fuel level in a tank...  

 

Those two on the lower right appear to be the mercury filled Starretts...   have one of those myself - nice collection!  

 

You are correct, they are the Starretts.

http://www.channelsupplies.com/lufkin_tapes.html

 

and if you ever see one of these...

 

https://www.amazon.com/Lufkin-590GME-20-Ounce-Metric-English/dp/B000ZUJVV4

2 minutes ago, p_toad said:

http://www.channelsupplies.com/lufkin_tapes.html

 

and if you ever see one of these...

 

https://www.amazon.com/Lufkin-590GME-20-Ounce-Metric-English/dp/B000ZUJVV4

All be doggone, that's it! It's a crude oil tape! Wow! Great job toad!

they're also used on caissons and wells...

I think plumb bobs are cool in form and function, and I have a couple that are neither old or cool? But, I certainly have nothing as cool as mercury filled Starretts!  Now I have learned two things in less than 24 hours!  I predict a headache in my future!  Nice collection.

Hey @John Moody, those tapes aint cheap! You made a good find! http://www.lufkintool.com/tapes/oil-gauging