What is it?

I've been collecting unusual objects for quite a while, and several years ago I started posting them on this site as puzzles for visitors to figure out what they are. Most of the items are mine but a few belong to others, if you aren't interested in tools there are plenty of other type objects that have also been posted.

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for a wide variety of some of my best pieces.

Thursday, March 30, 2006

624. This 72" tape measure is different from most others.


It has a 5" long strip of steel on the bottom which can move back and forth, the puzzle here is to name its purpose.






625. 15" tall





626. Probably 3-4" long, made of metal.





627. 6" long, another reader submitted item:








628. 12" long







629.




Answers

















Last week's set is seen below, click here to view the full post:





Thursday, March 23, 2006

618. 16" long, the other side reads "Westerly, R.I., Wilcox Donahue & Co."









619. 8-1/2" long









620. 3-1/2" long








These next two were sent in by a visitor of this site.
621. 22" long








622. 6" long







623. Another close-up photo:




Answers










Amazon has a good deal on the first year of Make Magazine, all four issues for $38, this is a decent price considering a single issue goes for $15 . Compared with most other magazines, there are very few ads in Make, and it's packed with a wide range of projects, so it's more like a book than a periodical. Well worth the price for the boxed set.










Last week's photos are seen below, click here to view the full post:





Thursday, March 16, 2006

612. 1-3/8" tall






613. 15" tall





614. 3" long, not sure what this one is:


The bottom of the crossing piece has a dull edge that was probably sharp years ago.









615. 12-3/4" long











616. 7-1/2" tall






617. 2" long




Answers










If you haven't seen this video yet, The Way Things Go is worth taking a look at. It's a thirty minute long Goldbergesque set-up using chemical reactions, fireworks, water, common household objects, rigged contraptions and much more in a domino type sequence of continuous motion. Four out of five stars.










Last week's set is seen below, click here to view the full post:





Thursday, March 09, 2006

606. 6" long, patented in 1876












607. 5-1/2" long





608. 5" long







609. Those are eighth inch increments along the top edges:





610. 12" long




611. Another partial/close-up shot:




Answers





For anyone interested in tools who might like a book on the subject, I highly recommend The Dictionary of American Hand Tools: A Pictorial Synopsis. With over 4500 illustrations, it's a great reference and is the first book that I turn to when I find an unidentified tool. Btw, I don't make any money on links from this site.







Last week's set is seen below, click here to view the full post: