bc.gold 3,403 #1 Posted September 14, 2019 Of all the old spark plugs I've seen over the years this is the first one using leather for the insulator. Later this afternoon will post a few pictures of a few more oddity's. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #2 Posted September 15, 2019 Any idea of its original application? Obviously something extremely early. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bc.gold 3,403 #3 Posted September 15, 2019 36 minutes ago, ZXT said: Any idea of its original application? Obviously something extremely early. No clue, a pair of these spark plugs showed up in this pail of grease cups which in themselves are old but still commonly found. This brass grease dispenser is kinda cool. And I've never seen another like it, The tap handle is threaded all the way down then the cup is filled with grease, as needed the tap handle is given a twist. Inside is a spring that pushes against the plunger. I'm thinking of donating a few of the more unique grease cups to David Richards who hosts, Old Steam Powered Machine Shop Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bc.gold 3,403 #4 Posted September 15, 2019 Looks to me the spark plugs uses pipe thread. I have spent a bit of time with google today researching early spark plugs that may have used leather as an insulator but have found nothing. I'm guessing the spark plug is an early Splitdorf Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bc.gold 3,403 #5 Posted September 15, 2019 (edited) 8 minutes ago, bcgold said: Looks to me the spark plugs uses pipe thread. I have spent a bit of time with google today researching early spark plugs that may have used leather as an insulator but have found nothing. I'm guessing the spark plug is an early Splitdorf Part of the mystery solved, the insulation is stacked mica. Edited September 15, 2019 by bcgold 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,981 #6 Posted September 15, 2019 The old planer took me back some years. In the early '70's, the company I worked for was based in an old foundry. Some of the machinery was still there. Including a counter shaft driven planer, four times the size of that one. Power was provided by electric motor by then. If you stood and watched it in operation too long, it could send you to sleep. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #7 Posted September 15, 2019 I will post some pics later, there was an old factory that made spark plug porcelains in early 1900s. extra ones, rejects , prototypes, etc... where used as fill material or dumped. alot were also used by the locals as fishing sinkers. we used to come across them digging for old bottles Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
