[SEL] My 2 cents worth

[William Young]

TO: Jacob
From: Bill Young
RE; Gauss meter & "quantifier"
Reply to:  jacob warner jacob.warner at pdahome.com>
Yours of December 3, 2009, 7:49 AM TO, SEL net




Elden, Have you collected any data on gauss measurements for different types of
magnetos? Jacob

Jacob-san, I quite agree with Elden's comments and wish to add a couple of my own.
(1)  I wanted a gauss meter in the worst way.  I imagined that I had a real need for one because I was doing many EKs for the local lads, I could not find a distributor in Japan.
(2)  So I built my own gauss "quantifier."
   (A) On the wall, I fashioned an EK holder.  
   (B) Just below the EK armature I mounted a hinged lever arm.  But before mounting, I made notches every inch and numbered  them from 1 to 30 beginning at the hinge.
   (C)  Then I made an "S" hook which    
would connect  the lever arm to armature.
(3) The last step was to fashion a one lb. weight which could be moved away from the hinge in one inch increments.  Thus my "quantifier" gave me an idea of comparative magnetism in terms of inch pounds rather than Gauss.
(4) Years later a Japanese engine lad found a company in Tokyo that sold Gauss meters -- not cheap.  I was so happy with my purchase; I gaussed everything.  It was then that I became disillusioned.  Put the probe on any spot of any magnet; note the reading.  Now, move the probe a quarter inch in any direction.  Guess what?  Different reading.
(5)  My current thinking is that my $2 "quantifier" was a more useful tool than the expensive meter.  I was getting an average reading of magnetic strength rather than point to point readings.
  Elden-san, Did you ever find your Gauss meter a useful instrument?  
    My greatest satisfaction?  I was the only guy on the block with one. Also in village and city, maybe even in the  county.  Comments please.  Bill 

( I am in Thailand now using yahoo address: 
wmlyoung at yahoo.com  )