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, January 31, 2008

Set 217

1209. 4-1/4" long:

















1210. 25-3/4" long:

Larger image

















1211. 48" tall:
















1212. 11-7/8" long, for more guesses on this one take a look at Neatorama.



















1213. 3-1/4" tall:

















1214. 12" long, patented in 1867:




From Gil Gandenberger's collection














































































To submit photos, click on the profile link at the upper right to find my email address.




























Answers
























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








More discussion and comments on these photos can be found at the newsgroup rec.puzzles.

Labels: , ,

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Set 216

1203. 2-7/8" diameter:

Take a look at Neatorama for more guesses on this one.
















1204. 58" long, sent in by someone looking to identify it, this piece was found in a barn in Arkansas, the tall end can pivot at the joint and the short end is adjustable, it can slide along the notched part and lock into place:


















1205. Submitted by a visitor:


The owner's description of this device:
It is obviously a cutter or trimmer for something – but what?

It has two “pressure plates” that hold whatever is being cut in place. When clamped, these round plates rotate in either direction and can be locked on each quarter turn. You can’t see the lower plate as it’s immediately below the upper one you see in the picture. The spring-loaded thumb lever on the lower front inserts a pin into an indent in the lower plate to hold it in place – for trimming, I assume. There are only four indents to lock into – one every 90 degrees around the plate. The top plate is spring-loaded in the up position and is locked down by pushing down on the handle located between the springs.

The trimmer has a maximum cut of about 5”. If something flat and trimmable less than 5” (and more than 4”) in both directions is slid between the plates, clamped down, and trimmed on all four sides, it ends up being a perfect 4” square.

What is this thing meant to cut? And why does it have a walnut carrying case?

...I was hoping to find some manufacturer’s marks but there is absolutely no mark of any kind on the whatsit nor the case. The bulk of it is made of cast aluminum, I think.
...the plates are slightly notched like a fine file and would mar a photograph.



















1206. 3" long, made of nickel plated brass, another one sent in by a visitor:

Larger image















1207. 15" long:






















1208. The handle is 17-3/4" long:






































































To submit photos, click on the profile link at the upper right to find my email address.




























Answers
























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








More discussion and comments on these photos can be found at the newsgroup rec.puzzles.

Labels:

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Set 215

1197. 9-1/2" long:




















1198. 32" tall:





















1199. 12" long, the jaws can be locked in the open position and released by the upper button whereupon the jaws snap closed, submitted by a visitor:






















1200. 11-1/2" long, this one was sent in by a visitor who is looking to identify it; the stone is 4" long and is very heavy and dense:



















1201. Approximately 8" long:
















1202. 12-1/2" long, patented in 1928:



























































To submit photos, click on the profile link at the upper right to find my email address.




























Answers
























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








More discussion and comments on these photos can be found at the newsgroup rec.puzzles.

Labels:

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Set 214

1191. This unidentified device was found in 1954, the 3-3/4" x 3" x 3-1/2" high unit is made of steel and weighs about 3 pounds. Followers on three shafts ride on a solid steel ball of about 1" diameter.




























1192. 17-3/4" long, probably from the 1960's:

Take a look at Neatorama for more guesses on this tool, where Alex is giving away two t-shirts as prizes, one for the first correct answer and another for the most humorous guess.



















1193. 18-1/2" long, submitted by a visitor who is looking to find the purpose of this lanyard; it can be adjusted by sliding the piece around the cords:
















1194. This photo was taken by Simon while on his trip to Tokyo:
















1195. 7" long:



















1196. 3-3/4" long, another one submitted by a visitor:

























































To submit photos, click on the profile link at the upper right to find my email address.




























Answers
























Below is last week's set, click here to view the entire post:








More discussion and comments on these photos can be found at the newsgroup rec.puzzles.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Set 213

1185. 9" long:




















1186. 3-1/2" long, submitted by a visitor:

Take a look at Neatorama for more guesses on this one.















1187. 6-1/4" long, this unidentified copper piece was sent in by a reader of this site:






















1188. 7-3/4" long:
















1189. 9-1/2" long:



















1190. One more submitted by a visitor, whose uncle unearthed this stone in his corn field in Alexandria, Minnesota back in the 1950's. They are looking to find out the purpose of it, the weight is 21 pounds:













































To submit photos, click on the profile link at the upper right to find my email address.




























Answers
























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








More discussion and comments on these photos can be found at the newsgroup rec.puzzles.