Quote Originally Posted by BillTodd View Post
That's the bit I'm calling the large part (large=wide) :)

Some further thoughts:(in random order)

I believe/guess the aluminium casting dates this to mid 20thC - probably post WWII.

The long cylinder is screwed to the central casting meaning it was not easy to remove. Since the ratchet clearly pulls towards to the larger part, it would have been difficult to thread the whatever between the rollers - suggesting that once set-up the unit was not disturbed too often.

So, I wonder if it is somekind of tensioning device ?

In what part of the UK was it found? (e.g. Lancashire might suggest spinning or weaving use, South coast rope making etc. )

Were there just the three of them?
Im thinking you are right with the dating, but i cannot see how it would be a tentioning system as this would pull away from the bearing and not onto it.

The ratchet system does as you say appear to feed down and not up, but there is also another what appears to be a sliding rod behind the side of the ratchet mech itself possibly the spring bar for the non return part of the ratchet. another note is that the push part of the ratchet doesnt look like it was designed to be pushed often, this suggests its not part of a large production machine.

It would appear whatever goes between the rollers is flat and as wide as the rollers which would not be like any rope ive ever seen, weaving Hmmm now thats another matter, most material is flat. I do wonder if there is anything missing from the assembly that would give the game away.. There must be someone who knows..


Rick