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, August 31, 2006

756. 8" tall







Thanks to Leo Lichtman for submitting this one, and also to Ray for the following item.




757. 5" long












758. Partial/close-up shot:










759. 41" long










760. 6" long










761. The puzzle here is to make the "impossible object" seen below:


It's not necessary to use a playing card, any rectangular piece of paper will work, there is no glue or tape used and the card is still in one piece. This puzzle is more difficult when shown with an all white piece of paper, but I like how it looks when a playing card is used.








Answers













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





Thursday, August 24, 2006

750. 8" long










751. 17" long, the metal part is 8" x 4-1/2"










752. Partial/close-up shot:










753. 40" tall


With cover lifted,


and front doors open:










754. 7" long










755. Approx. 20" long:











Answers














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





Thursday, August 17, 2006

744. 7-1/4" long












745. 5-1/2" long










746. 3-1/2" tall:










747. 4-1/2" long












748. 7-1/2" x 8":


The two small pieces can be rotated 360 degrees.










749. Approx. 6" x 12", submitted by a visitor, dug up in a backyard in Wilmington, MA:






The first three items in this post were photographed at an antique machinery show where someone had a very interesting display of vintage hand tools, while there I also took some photos of several great looking old steam tractors.







Answers















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





Thursday, August 10, 2006

738. 6" long, another unidentified tool:


The only writing on it is "Continental Corp., Pats. Pend."


The space between the two sets of jaws increases 1/4" when the handles are compressed:








739. 10-1/2" long, the arm on the right can slide back and forth:










740. Probably about 30" tall:




The paddle shaped part is attached on the right:










741a. 6" long, an early multi-tool patented in 1875, the puzzle here is to name all of the different tools:


741b. A piece is missing in the area indicated by the arrow, see photo 741d.



741c. A similar tool with less functions, "Pat Ap'l 28 1874", the left end has been broken off:



741d. The missing piece was similar to the one noted below:








742. 11-1/2" long










743. 7-3/4" long, patented in 1920:














Answers















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





Thursday, August 03, 2006

732. 3-7/8" long












733. 9-3/8" long, don't know what this was a part of, hopefully someone will recognize it:

It looked a little worse before being cleaned and oiled.




The most obvious signs of wear are the circular marks around the asymmetrical nut:










734. Partial shot, 2" inside diameter:








735. 3-7/8" long:








736. 9" long












737. 1-3/4" long










Answers














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