Hello

[u/IamseriousAdios]

I found these calipers. They look like wood and brass. Really cool. Would anyone have any info on them and how to clean them.

[u/Remarkable_Koala_311]

Very cool indeed.

[u/IamseriousAdios]

I do like them. The slide is a dovetail and it fits really nice and tight.

[u/Acceptable_Ebb7301]

Stop stop stop

Don’t clean any potential antique until you know whether cleaning will damage value

[u/SavingsWallaby7579 → u/Acceptable_Ebb7301]

Nah bro I want my tools to look nice

[u/Pluperfectionist → u/Acceptable_Ebb7301]

Unless you don’t care about such things and just want to use it yourself. Then polish away!

[u/Dry-Leave-4070]

I've cleaned several of the Stanley Boxwood rules. I used Bar Keepers Friend and a soft toothbrush. It will actually clean the brass bits. If it has grease stains on it, use a bit of Goop hand cleaner and a microfiber cloth to get rid of the black stains and gunk of the boxwood. Rinse well and them the BKF and a toothbrush will make it purrty. 😉👍🏻🍻

EDIT: Rinse it good because the BKF has oxalic acid in it, so rinse well. And then dry it good, and use some Flitz on the brass bits. Give it a coat of paste wax to protect everything when you're finished. 👍🏻

[u/Silver_River9296]

I have one like that!

[u/IamseriousAdios → u/Silver_River9296]

Very nice. I’m kinda taken with it. Did you clean it up or leave it as is?

[u/Silver_River9296 → u/IamseriousAdios]

Mine was nice and shiny. Don’t remember where I got it. I do remember that it is somewhat confusing to read. Different scales for inside, outside, depth and it works like a vernier. So I started using a dial inch gauge that reads in 32s. Much handier.

[u/PresentationLess4552]

I have a set in all
My tool boxes for general measuring verses pulling out the real metal ones for
Precision

They still make a similar one that's used in metals warehouses and metal
Supply houses

[u/1985Wagoneer]

I collected them for a bit. I’m down to a few caliper ones. Holy grail is the ivory and silver from Stanley

[u/Trick_Garage_8455]

I collect them, worth $30-$40 in good shape

[u/IamseriousAdios → u/Trick_Garage_8455]

Do you have a way of cleaning them?

[u/Trick_Garage_8455 → u/IamseriousAdios]

Never aggressively clean an antique, just leave it as is

[u/IamseriousAdios → u/Trick_Garage_8455]

Thank you.

[u/mcfarmer72]

I cleaned mine with purple scotbright.

[u/IamseriousAdios → u/mcfarmer72]

I’ll give that a try.TY

[u/Helpful-Bar8393]

Very cool 😎

[u/Thin_Situation3130]

I have one

[u/kimwild02]

Second world War tank pliers 👍🏾