What's this for?
 

I recently cleaned out a huge bike parts collection, including tools, I found several of these in the guys tool box, and mixed in with some hub parts.
Its marked only in 1/8" increments, its flat on two sides, and has a 3/8" stud and nut on one end. The larger threads are 5/8" in diameter and is marked from 0 to 4 1/2 inches. I also found another one of these in another cleanout a few years ago, I tossed it in my tool box but have never found the use for it.
I pretty much am assuming its originally a bike tool since all of these I've come across came from bicycle hoarder or home bike shop cleanouts.
I know I've seen these before somewhere but can't recall what it was used for.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...518d967cc7.jpg

It appears to be a drill press quill depth stop. Not a bike specific tool but maybe the bike shop used a drill press and had some spare parts for it?

I was just thinking the same thing, it looks like the drill stop rod on my old Walker Turner drill press.

That’s funny - my drill press is also a Walker Turner. I love that thing!

While it does look like a stop for a drill press, could it be a tool for checking/measuring Drop outs?
Edit I see the one end is 5/8" so doubt that it is

Glenn

Here's one removed with the bracket on fleabay, its the same as the one on mine but I added a DRO and quick release stop for ease of changes and repeat-ability.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Walker-Turn...kAAOSwk8te-arN


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...55352a0e38.jpg
(Pic from eBay ad)

That's it!
I can't say why he had so many of these though. I do think I saw a few of the clamps as well in one of the boxes.
He didn't have a drill press when I was there, but there was a grinder and small belt sander, and a table saw. Maybe it was something he brought home from work over the years. Its just odd that they were both in his tool box as well as a few mixed in with various bike parts boxes.
I also considered the idea that he may have been slipping mentally as he got older, we found things like screwdrivers and other tools boxed up with bike parts. I found a BB wrench in one box, a few Snap On screwdrivers in other various boxes and a Park chain breaker in a box full of calipers.