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, September 28, 2006

Set 134

780. 3" long, the small channel in the middle is 1/4" wide:










781. 50" long












782. Approx. 14" long:











783. 3" diameter, thanks to Julie for these photos:













784. 6-1/4" long, patented in 1889. A stylus can be placed in the small holes to rotate the inner discs, which will change the numbers displayed in the center slot, as seen in the second photo:













785. 12" tall, patented September 2, 1890. Thanks to Gary for submitting this unidentified item, it opens to 6" wide at the tips and 8 1/2" inside. Closed completely, the inside dimension is 4" and the points almost touch:












Answers














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





Thursday, September 21, 2006

Set #133

774. 14" long










775. The case is 33" long, thanks to Nicholas for submitting these photos:

Click here to see a larger version of this image.

9" long




This instrument can be assembled in many different configurations, two of which are seen below:











776. 6-3/4" long














777. 6-1/2" long, thanks to Joe for sending in this one:











778. 5-3/4" long, the puzzle here is to name the purpose of the roller on this Bell System cutter:













779. 35" long











Answers














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





Thursday, September 14, 2006

Set #132

768. 4-1/2" long


Both of the cones can slide freely along the shafts, and are threaded on the inside and outside.










769. 3-5/8" tall










770. 4-1/2" long, thanks to Leon for submitting these photos:












771. 4-1/2" diameter, circa 1960:











772. The puzzle here is to name two of the symbols on this fireman's badge, they are located at the 5:00 to 11:00, and 2:00 to 8:00 positions. Also describe the purpose of the hook.











773. 5-1/2" long, when compressed the smaller end piece bypasses the other almost 1/4":











Answers














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





Thursday, September 07, 2006

Set #131

762. 9-1/4" long"










763. 4-1/2" tall










764. Partial shot of an object most people have seen before:










765. 10" long, thanks to Andy for submitting this tool:












766. 4-1/2" long, 1-3/4" diameter, two pieces of metal that were probably able to be separated long ago, but now are fused together as one. The material between the two parts could be an old piece of leather or rubber, currently it's hard as a rock. I'm hoping someone can tell me what this was used for.












767. Another "impossible object", the puzzle is to determine how the golf tee was inserted into the piece of wood. The lower part is drilled all the way through so the tip of the tee is resting on the gray surface. Neither piece has been cut or glued.











Answers














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