I found this Peerless Switch Dial Testing set on eBay a while back.

[ian_dunn@defcon.social]

I found this Peerless Switch Dial Testing set on eBay a while back. I think it's some sort of telephone industry tool. I gave no idea how it works. My intention was to gut it and turn it into a nixie clock, but I just don't think I have the heart to do it. It's just too cool as it is. Does anybody know what it's for? It feels heavy enough that it must have a transformer inside.

[lillyherself@mastodon.social]

@Ian_Dunn It seems to work like an early version of a multimeter!

Fabulously beautiful

https://youtu.be/DQ9kt5wLWQ0?si=gmRSPuiAC0X1UKNv

[meganl@mas.to]

@Ian_Dunn Might be telegraph equipment. Apparently that's where Thompson-Levering started, at least. And it continued into telegrams.

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search?edan_fq[]=name:%22Thompson-Levering%20Co.%22

[workshopshed@mastodon.scot]

@Ian_Dunn from the diagram it looks like a wheatstone bridge. You find the resistance of things under test by adjusting the box resistance until the bridge is balanced.

Such a tool may still have use.

[weta@kolektiva.social]

@Ian_Dunn I think your right about what it is, from what I can find out was used by telecoms companies to pinpoint where a cable break or short was, without having to dig up the entire line.
Pretty cool Gizmo

@downbeatdan

[r_3_t_3_c_h@defcon.social]

@Workshopshed @Ian_Dunn Mostly agree, it could also be a "decade tester" used in electrical training (basically the same thing but they usually do not have gauges). I highly doubt it.

While those are often seen with bakelite like this is, I've never seen one made with a wooden box. I'd bet if you open it up, there will be a few manufacturers marks inside. I've found a few things made like this that will have a sign off tag. The craftsmen as each stage mark their initials and someone else initialises the final approval for that person.

To think carpenters, actual trained carpenters made this box. It did not have to be so well made but the choice was to do it right. Each level was a person who was highly skilled and took their time. We lost a lot with mass manufacturing. It's really a beautiful piece. You could, if you wanted, use this as a switch for a lamp. 12vdc would not harm anyone (since input/output will be on the posts on the left). You could have a particular combo that would essentially pass through the electricity to power the lamp.

[pgbeattie@mastodonapp.uk]

@Ian_Dunn

A thing of beauty on its own ... clean and enhance the wood.... build a perspex bridge just wide enough to take the pixie clock at the rear infront of the open lid.... best of both worlds without interfering with the Testing set