Miniature Pencil-Shaped Plumb Bob with Brass Winder

Sometime after the discovery of graphite in the 16th century, an early version of the pencil was produced in Italy by hollowing out a stick of wood to insert a graphite stick. Sound familiar? The essence of the pencil has not changed very much. It's utilitarian nature and sleek design inspired us to create a miniature brass version that is also a working plumb bob. 

This hand-crafted pencil shaped brass plumb bob is the smallest of our designs to date. It measures just 1/2" from cap to tip. It has a steel tip and a brass winder. We have one in our Etsy shop and can make more on commission. ‪ 

Tiny Pencil Shaped Brass Plumb Bob with Steel Tip and Brass Winder

Mining Plummets

To meet the challenge of bringing enough working light into a mine, an underground surveyor of yore made use of a mining plummet: a hollowed out plumb bob filled with lamp oil and a wick. While the work was dangerous, the ingenious design produced a fascinating tool.

From my machinist perspective I've spent time studying the mining plummet and recreated this piece in miniature in my workshop. This is a working plumb bob and comes with a wick - though it is designed to be a collector's item. 

It measures just over 2” from cap to tip and weighs in at 2 ounces including the hanging chain.

The body is approx ¾” diameter and the gimble ring is 1” in diameter.

It is now for sale in my ETSY STORE. 

For more information about mining plummets and their German and American variations, we refer you to the excellent online newsletter, Wolf's Plumb Bob News. Edited by Wolfgang Ruecker, it is dedicated to all things plumb bob. This link will take you to Issue No. 03 that focuses on Mining Plummets.   

June Sale!

Throughout the month of June we are having a sale on all items in our Etsy shop. 
10% off the price of all plumb bobs. 
CODE: JUNE2015
You must use the code to receive the discount.

Museum Mondays

As we explore the world of the plumb bob we're not surprised to find them in the collection of museums across the country and across the globe. From ancient artifacts to contemporary art the plumb bob has served as a practical tool and an object of inspiration. It has been used as a divining rod, as a symbol for the Free Masons, and as an aid for artists and sculptors. George Washington used one during his time as a surveyor. 

Starting tomorrow on Facebook we will feature a plumb bob in the collection of a museum or art gallery every Monday. If you see an item you think we should feature, pass it along. 

For those reading the blog, we provide you with a preview of our first Museum Monday entry: an ancient Egyptian plumb bob in the collection the Fitzwilliam Museum, the museum of the University of Cambridge, in Cambridge, England. It is described in their online collection database as a "Basalt Ceremonial Plumb Bob" from ancient times. Learn more about it on the museum's website.

Collection of The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, UK

Title: Basalt ceremonial plumb-bob

Category:measuring/weighing equipment

Name: plumb-bob

Date: circa 332 B.C. — circa 30 B.C.

Period: Ptolemaic period

Description: plummet

Production
Place (legacy): Egypt, production, country

Find Spot: Egypt

Technique: carved

Material: basalt

Dimension: height, 15.5, cm

Acquisition: bequeathed; 1949; Gayer-Anderson, R. G. (Major)

Alternative Number(s): GayerAnderson; IX.60

Accession: Object Number: E.GA.287.1949
(Antiquities) (record id: 61985; input: 2003-03-25; modified: 2015-04-02)

Permanent Identifier: http://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/61985

Why is it Called a Plumb Bob?

Some of you may ask, from where does the word plumb derive? Well, as I was reminded by my cousin over the past weekend, Pb (an abbreviation of the Latin, plumbum) is the symbol for lead. As lead weights were used from an early date to establish a vertical, the tool used to do so were eventually known in English as plumb bobs, plumb lines, or plummets. (Plumbing also derives from this element in connection with lead pipes).

While contemporary times provide us with a multitude of ways to establish a vertical, the plumb bob remains a tried and true reliable tool. Our miniature brass plumb bobs, available on Etsy, provide you with a true vertical without the need to carry around a bob of lead!

Really Tiny Pencil Shaped Brass Plumb Bob

The tiniest Plumb Bob made to date, just 1/2" in length.
Available on Etsy.

Youtube Sampler

Our latest video with a sampler of Plumb Bobs hand crafted by artisan David Hale' for Quality in Vermont.
Quality work from the Green Mountain State.

Youtube!

We've just launched our youtube channel.

The first video features the Brass and Steel Plumb Bob with Built in Gear Driven Reel.


The second is a slideshow sampling some of David's earlier pieces.


Follow along with us as we make our entry into the world of video!

Plumb Bob Update, Spring (Almost) 2014

Dear Blogosphere:

Check out the new features of our blog.  We've added pages for custom work, a direct link to our etsy page, as well as a link to follow us on Facebook & on Pinterest.

All the pages are tabbed at the top of the blog.

We'll soon be adding new plumb bob inventory to Etsy and the blog. 

Watch this space!

Plumb Bob Earrings, In Stock

Plumb Bobs on Etsy

Several of my hand-crafted Plumb Bobs are available in my ETSY Shop, QualityinVermont.
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/QualityInVermont

Please contact me about custom jobs if you don't see the plumb bob you like there. 

davidhalemfa at yahoo.com 

Brass Plumb Bob Earrings

This pair of brass plumb bob earrings are a precise and accurate miniature rendition of a surveyor's plumb bob. 

They measure just over 1" from cap to tip and weigh 6 grams each (just under 1/4 ounce).

They have a steel tip and the cap unscrews for attaching the roping. There are 2 different kinds of knurled details featured in this truly tiny and very finely crafted pair of plumb bob earrings.

The brass will develop a patina over time -- or you can keep them shiny with a bit of polish now and again! 

This finely crafted item is truly tomorrow’s classic that you can own today!

Available for sale on etsy.

Brass Plumb Bob with Gear Driven Reel Video

This one of a kind plumb bob is made of brass and steel.

It measures approximately 3 inches in height and weighs 10 ounces.

The design of this finely crafted plumb bob includes an external crown gear that drives a spur gear on the end of a shaft which winds up the line on an internal reel! Pressing the spring loaded button on the end of the shaft moves the spur gear clear of the crown gear to allow the line to be played out without having to twist the plumb bob.  



This was hand-made by a machinist (aided by a bit of magnification) who can pay attention to detail in its construction, including the layout and cutting of custom made gears and also the detailed knurling on both the body and the tip in a way that is simply not found on a mass produced factory made plumb bob.

Designing and then creating this plumb bob took many, many hours of time from initial idea, hatched while falling asleep at night, to finally holding the finished plumb bob. I may never make another one like it -- at least not anytime soon!

It is truly a one of a kind plumb bob that represents a unique opportunity to purchase and own a plumb bob that is truly a one-of-a-kind work of art. 

It will develop a patina over time -- this is tomorrow’s classic that you can own today!


NOW ON ETSY, CLICK HERE

Miniature Mining Plummet Lamp Plumb Bob

Here is a finely crafted and unique machinist-made Miniature Mining Plummet Lamp Plumb Bob with a working Oil Lamp suspended in a Gimble Mount.

It was crafted with extreme attention to detail to match a rare full size example of this type of Plumb Bob. 

This miniature version weighs approximately 2 ounces including the hook, chain, and yoke.





It measures exactly 2" from the top of the cap that covers the tiny wick to the end of the steel tip.

This is the third in a series of finely crafted miniature plumb bobs.

A view of the Miniature Miner's Plummet Lamp Taken Apart

This tiny mining plummet lamp plumb bob was hand made with care in my Vermont workshop.   

A Beauty!

This is your chance to own tomorrow's classic, today!

If you would like to commission one of these for your own collection, please contact us at davidhalemfa at yahoo dot com.

SPECIFICATIONS: 

SIZE: Measures 2" from top to bottom

WEIGHT: Approximately 2 ounces

Miniature Fancy Brass Surveyor's Plumb Bob with Leather Pouch

This finely detailed miniature surveyor's plumb bob measures just over 1 1/4".

This little plumb bob weighs in at a bit less than 5 grams and measures just over 1 1/4" from top to bottom. 

The details on this miniature plumb bob are astonishing.  The top unscrews and the steel tip is cross drilled to look just like a full size one. 

A tiny plumb like this is just perfect for your collection.

Miniature Fancy Brass Plumb Bob with Built in Reel

This stunning little plumb bob weighs just a bit less then 9 grams and measures a whisker under one and a half inches. 

This fully functional miniature plumb bob is made of brass and steel and is loosely modeled after the patented J.A. TRAUT design that was produced by Stanley. 

The little reel actually works.  Notice the attention to detail in its construction, including the “rope knurling” on both the reel and the body. 

It is just under 1 1/2"

....and fits nicely in the palm of your hand.

If you are interested in commissioning one of these, just send us an email (via the About Me profile page) and we'll be in touch.  Please be patient for our response.  Thanks!