What is it?

Set 426

2012-02-02T04:00:00.003-05:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2467. 14" long:

2468. About 5-1/2" long:

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2469. 8" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2470. 9" long, sent in by a visitor who is looking to find the exact purpose of this slicer, the bed indexes by rack and pinion to cut slices of .003" (.08mm):

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DRPa indicates that it was made in Germany:

2471. Around 4-1/2" long, another unidentified item:

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2472. The inside dimension of the red part is 3-1/2" from the upper left to the lower right:

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The answers will be posted on Friday evening.

Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 425

2012-01-26T04:00:00.005-05:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2461. 24" long:

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2462. 10" long as seen below:

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2463. Someone found this in a house they just moved into, it fits into a light socket and then a bulb can be screwed into the open end:

2464. 12-1/2" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

This part is 3-1/2" x 3":

2465.

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2466. Sent in by a visitor who would like to find out if this rule has a specific purpose:

It's 17" long when open and has 14 cm increments on the inside and 14 inch increments on the outside:

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Answers:

2461. A tire spreader from the 1940s, used to hold open a tire so it could be inspected and repaired, a tool used for a similar purpose can be seen in patent 1,571,376.

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2462. A nutcracker:

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2463. A smoke detector, the owners were unsure of its purpose until they tested it with smoke and the alarm was triggered:

2464. A meat cleaver with an attached combination tool:

The uses for the tools are:
1. Hammer
2. Meat tenderizer
3. Ice chipper
4. Bottle opener
5. Can opener
6. Alligator wrench

2465. This is the smoke stack of the recently capsized Costa Concordia:

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2466. This was probably used to measure a person's shoe size:

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Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 424

2012-01-19T04:01:00.004-05:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2455. 23" long:

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2456. 4-1/8" diameter:

2457. 24" long with 2-1/4" spikes, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2458. The lower blade is similar to a timber scribe, the exact use of the other tool is unknown:

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2459. Sent in by someone who would like to find the purpose of this device:

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2460. 8" long, another item that was submitted by a visitor who would like to identify it:

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Answers:

2455. A British WWI officer's trench periscope:

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2456. A paint brush washer:

2457. A wolf collar for protecting a dog from attack by wolves, used mostly in Europe:

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2458. A hoof knife and hoof pick for use on horses:

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2459. No answer yet for this device, looks like it could be used as a scribe or marker:

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2460. An Automatic Bombing Computer, also called a Low Altitude Bombing Attachment, it's used with a Norden bombsight.

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Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 423

2012-01-12T04:00:00.004-05:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2449. 18" long:

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2450. This was sent in by a visitor who is looking to identify it:

2451. 6' long, also explain why the short inside walls are slightly sloped:

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2452. 1-1/4" x 1-1/8":

2453. 9-1/2" long:

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Another version of the same tool:

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2454. The largest one is about 16" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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Answers:

2449. A steak tenderizer:

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2450. Two different people positively identified this hook for holding a mail bag, similar to the ones in this photo and patent number 236,328:

2451. According to the owner this is a watering trough for horses and the internal walls are sloped so that the rock won't get cracked by ice:

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2452. A shotgun shell extractor, as seen in the third photo on this page:

2453. A tool for applying the lids to bushel baskets, patent number 1,938,807:

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Another version of the same tool:

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2454. Text next to this museum display read: "Set of seven steel caulking chisels used on the Great Lakes schooner Mary A. Gregory, c. 1900. Captain John Harry Woltman used these chisels on the schooner to drive caulk between the wooden planks of the ship. Some of the chisels have his initials "J.H.W" inscribed on them."

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Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 422

2012-01-05T04:00:00.003-05:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2443. 9" long:

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Pushing down on the upper part:

2444. 12" long:

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2445. 6-1/2" long:

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2446. 3-1/2" tall:

2447. 11" long, the bottom half looks the same as the top, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

2448. 25" long, text on it reads "A" and "21":

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Answers:

2443. A cigar cutter, the cigar was placed in the hole and then the device was pushed down to cut off the end:

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2444. No answer yet for this item, it appears that it could be used to clamp something thin, similar to how a vulcanizer is used:

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2445. Looks like a cutter for dowels or maybe wire insulation, the movable part on the rod would act as a stop so specific lengths could be cut.

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2446. A sand blotter or sander, an early desk accessory, while the ink was still wet, sand was sprinkled on it to absorb the excess and then shaken off the paper.

2447. A tin bread mold, from the guesses on Neatorama these were used to make many different types of bread:

2448. Probably some type of tamper, possibly used with sand castings:

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Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 421

2011-12-29T04:00:00.008-05:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2437. 10" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

2438. 15" long:

2439. 8" long:

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2440. 60" tall:

2441. 7" long:

2442. 24" long:

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Answers:

2437. A Holmes Steering Gear Clamp for towing automobiles,

"...adapted to engage both the front axle of the automobile and the connecting rod which links together the spindle arms of the front wheels so that the connection rod can be held rigidly to the axle in such position as to maintain the front wheel parallel for the purposes of enabling the disabled automobile to be towed backwards with the rear end off the ground."

Patent number 1,750,599

2438. A Crash Axe, for use by firemen or other rescue workers, originally designed for emergency use on airplanes.

2439. A mounting peg for a glass insulator on a telephone pole:

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2440. A gas powered water heater:

The one in the photo above was missing the copper tubing inside:

Patent number 1,217,133:

2441. No solid answer yet for this item, looks like it was used to adjust the height of something:

2442. A wire fence stretcher, patent number 598,526:

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Happy New Year!

Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 420

2011-12-22T04:00:00.005-05:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2431. 1-1/2" long:

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2432. About 12" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2433. 9-1/2" long:

2434. 7-1/2" long:

2435. 16" long:

2436. Around 5" diameter:

Answers:

2431. A woodworker's gauge for marking dovetails on a piece of wood:

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2432. A Yankee Cork Press, for compressing corks to the proper size to fit into a bottle, patent number 602,839:

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2433. An egg cracker, it's placed over an egg and the ball is dropped to crack it:

2434. A can opener, the point is pushed into the center of the lid, the tool is then pivoted down so it's parallel to the top of the can, the round blade is moved to position it at the can rim, downward pressure will now puncture the can at the rim, continued puncturing in this manner will open the can.

2435. This tool was most likely used to form light gauge sheet metal, possibly for crimping a seam when doing roofing work or bending sheet metal to make a particular shape.

2436. Someone sent this item in, at first we thought it was a salesman's sample tire, turns out that it's actually a Firestone ashtray that's missing its glass or metal tray.

Merry Christmas! and Happy Holidays!

Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 419

2011-12-14T04:00:00.007-05:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2425. 6" long:

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2426. 1" long:

2427. 10" long:

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2428. Around 3" long:

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2429. 34" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2430. Around 12" tall:

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Answers:

2425. A clock mainspring winder, it could also be used for removing and replacing mainsprings from the barrels of clocks, patent number 443,881:

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2426. A ferrite block, also called a ferrite core, ferrite ring, frerrous bead, ferrite EMI filter, or ferrite choke, it is "a passive electric component used to suppress high frequency noise in electronic circuits." These can be found on various computer cords.

2427. An iron shoe arm exerciser:

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2428. Looks like a someone made a belt buckle out of some old pipes:

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2429. A barbed wire salesman's cane, made of barbed wire from patent number 184,486. Text on the brass top plate reads "WATKINS LTD. ISSUE NO. 14 OF 100 A.B."

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2430. A Leitz Colorimeter, a laboratory device that was "used to determine the concentration of a known solute in a given solution by the application of the Beer-Lambert law, which states that the concentration of a solute is proportional to the absorbance." Several of them can be seen in use on this page.

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Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 418

2011-12-08T04:00:00.008-05:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2419. 3-1/4" tall, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2420. 4" tall:

2421. 19" long:

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2422. This photo was sent in a by a visitor, all of this hardware is all related to one purpose:

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2423. About 5-1/2" long, this item was submitted by a visitor who is looking to identify it:

2424. Around 23" long:

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Answers:

2419. This is a check protector, it makes an embossed pattern on the check that prevents attempts at altering numbers:

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2420. A Quaffers Shot Glass for drinking liquor, the bottom part is filled with a chaser and top with whiskey:

2421. A bandsaw brazing vise, it's used to hold the two ends of a bandsaw blade in position for brazing. The bandsaw is held horizontally by it and at the gap heated tongs are applied to the joint to be brazed. The upper clamps are used to hold the bandsaw while filing or smoothing the brazed area, patent number 426,358:

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2422. This hardware was all used at a winery:

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2423. Probably a steak tenderizer:

2424. A ballot box :

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Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 417

2011-12-01T04:00:00.003-05:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2413. 20" long:

2414. 6" long:

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2415. 10" long:

2416. 3-3/4" tall:

Between 2 and 2-1/2" tall, the center piece on all of these can freely pivot:

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2417. Sent in by a visitor:

Text on it reads 12-1/2, 12-5/8, 12-3/4:

2418. Around 22" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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Answers:

2413. This item was placed on a cow's head while it was being milked to discourage it from making any movements that might disturb the milker:

2414. A tightener for a bucksaw:

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2415. A soil blocker, it can be used to make cubes of soil for starting seeds:

2416. A flyer, swinger, or fly terret, these were mounted onto the harnesses of work horses for decoration. A terret that didn't have the center piece was used as a guide for the reins, as seen in patent number 819,749.

2417. A stand for an old hot water heater, it's upside down in the photo and is missing part of its base:

The numbers 12-1/2, 12-5/8, 12-3/4 tell what diameter water heater that it can hold:

2418. Hand powered hedge trimmers:

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Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 416

2011-11-24T04:00:00.002-05:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2407. 18" long:

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2408. 12" long, sent in by a visitor who is looking to identify this tool:

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2409. 11" tall, submitted by a visitor who would like to find the purpose for this device:

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2410. 12" long:

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2411. 15" long:

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2412. 10" tall:

Answers:

2407. An Essex hot air engine, 1/40th hp, it was used to run a fan or other small device, patent number 723,660:

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The fuel tank and burner:

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2408. Haven't been able to verify this one, looks like some kind of garden tool:

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2409. Also no luck yet finding an answer for this device:

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2410. A welder's chipping hammer or slag hammer:

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2411. A Victor carpet stretcher, patent number 402,953:

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A few months ago I shot this unidentified tool at the flea market and was planning to post it to see if anyone could provide an answer:

2412. A blow torch that was used on the early hit/miss oilfield gasoline engines, it kept the hot tube heated enough to ignite the main charge of fuel. This accomplished the ignition before they started using spark plugs or igniter ignition systems, as seen in the video below:

Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 415

2011-11-17T04:00:00.003-05:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2401. 27" long:

2402. 29" tall:

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2403. 12" long, sent in by a visitor who is looking to find the purpose for this tool:

Text on it reads "Expan. S. C. Co. Yonkers, N.Y. Pat. Apr 30, 1929," every patent for the date has been checked but none are a good match:

2404. 28" long:

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2405. The base is 4" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

2406. 8" long:

Answers:

2401. A brake actuating mechanism for a train, patent number 578,573, text on it reads "Lindstrom Lever Handle, The Dayton Mfg. Co., Dayton, Ohio."

2402. A liquor cabinet, the slotted holes are for glasses and the other holes are for bottles:

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2403. Still not sure if this hammer had particular purpose:

Text on it reads "Expan. S. C. Co. Yonkers, N.Y. Pat. Apr 30, 1929," every patent for the date has been checked but none are a good match, the two closest are 1,711,319 and 1,711,000.

2404. A brush clearing ax, it was used like a machete:

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2405. A snail inkwell with a pen rack on the top:

2406. A cork puller:

Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 414

2011-11-10T04:00:00.010-05:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2395. 6" long, an unidentified device, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2396. Sent in by a visitor who is looking to find the exact purpose for this tool:

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2397. 16" long, the small part can pivot:

2398. 14" long:

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2399. Submitted by someone who would like to find the purpose for this stand:

2400. 4" diameter:

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Answers:

2395. Haven't been able to verify any of the guesses for this tool, a lot of people have suggested that it's for crimping metal ductwork or some other material, but the gears are so close together a piece of paper could barely be forced through them.

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2396. The most popular guess for this tool is that it's a shingler's hammer, others thought it might be for use on crates:

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2397. A tool for opening train windows:

2398. A Brower egg grader/scale, an egg was rolled down the ramp and was graded by its weight which was indicated by the three differently counterbalanced rails.

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2399. No answer yet for this item:

2400. "The Magdeburg Hemispheres are a pair of large copper hemispheres with mating rims. When the rims were sealed with grease and the air was pumped out, the sphere contained a vacuum and could not be pulled apart by teams of horses."

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Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 413

2011-11-03T04:00:00.006-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2389. 7" long, take a look at Neatorama for a lot more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2390. The item in question here is the 72" long wooden piece between the rifles:

Close-up of the center mechanism

2391. 12" long, the C shaped part can rotate almost 360 degrees:

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2392. 7" long, an unidentified tool that was sent in by a visitor:

2393. 20" tall, someone found a few dozen of these in a box and would like to find out what they're for:

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2394. 4" long:

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Answers:

2389. A saw oiler, pulling the trigger releases some oil to lubricate the saw, patent number 1,512,080:

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2390. A Confederate Civil War pike with a 15" retractable blade:

Close-up of the center mechanism

2391. A staple puller "for pulling staples from fence posts which fastens or holds the wire thereto," patent number 656,711:

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2392. This tool was probably used with springs, similar to brake spring pliers:

2393. No verifiable answer yet for this item:

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2394. A Ft. Wayne Auto Specialty Company locking device for motor vehicle steering wheels, the ring fits around the steering column and the U shaped part locks one of the spokes. The two screws that hold the ring to the steering column are thin so that when they are overly tightened, the heads break off in order to make the ring difficult to remove, patent number 1,300,348:

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Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 412

2011-10-27T04:00:00.010-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2383. Approximately 24" diameter:

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2384. Probably a library book divider that fits into a track under a shelf:

2385. 7" long:

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2386. 43" long:

Someone submitted these photos, looking to find the purpose of the brackets between the wheels:

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2387. About 6" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2388. The box is about 32" long:

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Answers:

2383. A factory timeclock from the 1890s:

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2384. No answer yet for this item:

2385. A steak tenderizer:

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2386. Haven't been able to verify any of the guesses for this one:

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2387. A raisin seeder, patent number 467,367:

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2388. A Coston Line-Throwing Shoulder Gun, it can fire the projectiles about 250 feet, used for throwing a line from ship to ship or for rescue operations:

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The cartridges are .45 cal. 70 grs. powder:

The canisters contain 400 feet of line:

The barrel cleaner, ramrod, and spindles:

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Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 411

2011-10-20T04:00:00.003-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2377. 4-1/2" tall:

2378. 25" tall:

2379. 8" long:

2380. 11" long:

2381. About 7" tall, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

2382. 5" long:

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Answers:

2377. An AMN2 Spadegrip for a Browning Machine Gun, the trigger is the small knurled plate in the center:

2378. A drip torch made by the Panama Pump Company, used for controlled burns by firemen and farmers:

2379. A router plane, used for finishing up shallow mortices such as hinge gains, inlay, doorlocks, and trimming tenons:

2380. A canvas strap wrench, it was made for use on enameled pipe:

2381. A beer growler, before beer was sold in bottles if someone wanted beer outside of the saloon, it was usually draught beer filled and carried out in one of these containers:

2382. A Civil War anesthesia mask, it was constructed in such a way that a cloth could be put on it and then snapped into position, the mask was placed over the patient's nose and mouth and then drops from an ether bottle were dripped onto the cloth:

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This was part of a display titled "The War Against Microbes", in which they stated "In the Civil War, two soldiers died from disease for every one killed in action."

Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 410

2011-10-13T04:00:00.006-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2371. 12" tall:

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The next three items were all sent in by visitors who are looking to identify them.

2372. Approximately 36" long, the part at the top right is V shaped and has a clamp, next to it is a measuring piece that is slightly curved:

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2373. 2" diameter:

2374. 4" long:

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2375. This wooden item is 40" tall, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2376. 18" tall:

Answers:

2371. A model of the Cray 1 Computer, manufactured by Cray Research, Inc., Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, 1979:

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2372. No verifiable answer yet for this device, though it looks similar to a beam compass:

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2373. Possibly a scale model drum magazine for a Model 1893 Colt Bulldog Gatling gun:

2374. A machinist's angle plate, it was attached to a T-slotted moving cast iron table which was part of a milling machine, and used for holding work pieces:

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2375. A killick type anchor that was used on a small river freight boat in the 1800s, rocks were placed in the center of it to weigh it down:

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2376. A fireman's torch used by Madison Engine Company Number 2, Madison Wisconsin, 1855-1866, it was probably used in parades and ceremonies:

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

Are you interested in Old Tools and Tool Collecting? Want to learn more about tools, and meet some great people who have the same interests? Please take a minute to check out the Mid-West Tool Collectors Web Site at this link: www.mwtca.org.

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.

Set 409

2011-10-06T04:00:00.004-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2365. 4" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

2366. About 11" long:

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Close-up of the other side

The handle can pivot 180 degrees:

2367. 34" diameter:

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2368. 7" long:

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2369. Sent in by a visitor who was looking to identify this device:

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2370. Around 9" long:

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Answers:

2365. A Zenith Space Commander 600 TV remote control:

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This is an ultrasonic remote that doesn't need batteries, when the buttons are pushed spring-loaded hammers strike the metal tubes which create a tone that instructs the TV to adjust the channel, volume, or hue.

It can be seen in action in this video:

2366. A glazier's hammer for driving small nails and glazier's points into window and picture frames:

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Close-up of the other side

One of the striking surfaces is indicated by the arrow below:

2367. A cast iron locomotive wheel from 1888, made by the Griffin Wheel and Foundry Company:

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2368. A telephone CGL 49112 tool designed for crimping pins/tips to cloth wires for repair of receiver and headphone cords in the field.

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2369. A friction driven siren from the early 1900s, they were made obsolete with the adoption of electrical systems in motor vehicles.

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2370. Hedge clipping shears, the center metal pieces all have sharp edges, patent number 1,458,407:

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To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 408

2011-09-28T04:00:00.008-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2359. Approximately 8" long:

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2360. About 3" diameter, someone at the flea market was selling this lock and wanted to know if it was for a particular purpose:

2361. Around 7" long:

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2362. 72" long:

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There is a spirit level under the handle:

2363. Approximately 8' long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2364. 6" long:

Answers:

2359. A casino chip holder from the 1950s, model E-S-100, made by J.A. Ewing, Las Vegas:

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2360. A Master puck style lock, model 6270/970, made to be used with a guarded haspfor better security on trucks, vans, trailers, and gates:

2361. A tire repair tool, similar to patent number 1,632,544:

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2362. An early railroad tool for measuring rail superelevation on curves, where the outer rail would be slightly higher to compensate for centrifugal forces:

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2363. These are mortsafes, they were used in the 1800s to protect the dead from body snatchers who would sell them to medical schools, although according to urban legends they were designed to keep vampires and zombies from escaping their graves.

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2364. A German wrist restraint for use on prisoners by law enforcement officers:

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 407

2011-09-22T04:00:00.005-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2353. Approximately 30" diameter, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt.

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2354. This pressurized canister was shot on a country road next to some railroad tracks:

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2355. 18" long:

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2356. About 10" long:

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2357. 12" long, the only opening on this unidentified container is the hole with the sliding door:

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2358. 28" long:

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Answers:

2353. This is a corn sheller, text on the back reads "Made and sold by G. Evans, Pittsburgh", the other side is hollow so it's not as heavy as it looks, and there is a handle on the back to make it rotate.

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To use it, ears of corn were dropped down this tapered chute and the spinning disk would quickly remove the kernels.

2354. This device pressurizes underground telephone cables with air or nitrogen so that if they are slightly nicked or damaged the pressure keeps water from flowing into the cables.

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2355. Part of an old Planet Jr. Cultivator or wheel hoe for use in a garden:

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2356. A Casella sunshine recorder, it has a clockwork mechanism that rotates the drum once in 24 hours, the sunlight is recorded with a pen that is driven by a mechanical linkage from a bi-metallic strip inside of the dome.

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2357. Still not sure about this item, possibly a bee swarm catcher, with some type of attractant used in the tubes.

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2358. Tank treads from an M-48 tank:

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To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 406

2011-09-15T04:00:00.003-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2347. Approximately 48" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2348. 12" long, submitted by a visitor who would like to find the purpose of this device, text on it reads "Bell & Howell Company Chicago, U.S.A. Standard Cinemachinery":

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2349. 5' tall, very heavy, round on one side:

2350. Sent in by a visitor who would like to know if these pliers are for a particular purpose, the ends of the handles each have a different shape for prying as seen in the larger image, text on it says "Changeable Tool":

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2351. 11" long, yet another tool that was sent in by a visitor who is looking to identify it:

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2352. Give a single word that best describes this construction:

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Answers:

2347. A spar torpedo that was designed to be rammed into the hull of an enemy ship, and then detonated by a line from the torpedo to the submarine. From the CSS H. L. Hunley Civil War Submarine Replica, the original torpedo was detonated when attacking and sinking the Housatonic in 1864, the Hunley itself sank shortly thereafter for unknown reasons.

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2348. An old movie projector bulb holder used to isolate the heat of the bulb from the socket so the projectionist could change out blown bulbs in a hurry by giving him a cooler place to grab onto.

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2349. A tinsmith's stovepipe anvil:

2350. A combination tool that was made to use several interchangeable heads, patent number 791,917. A photo of this tool in its original box with all the attachments can be seen here under the heading of patent pictures.

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2351. A Morse Taper Key for use by a machinist to remove chucks and tooling.

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2352. On this web site they refer to it as an abatis, though these structures were also called palisades.

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To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 405

2011-09-08T04:00:00.006-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2341. 7" long, take a look at Neatorama at 9:30 Eastern for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2342. 7/8" cubes:

2343a. The devices in these two patents served the same purpose:

2343b.

2344. From two different models of a common device:

2345. 9" long, the other end of this tool looks like a sledge hammer:

2346. Around 8" long, an unidentified tool:

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Answers:

2341. A cobbler's lasting tool, it was used to draw and hold leather over a last (a solid form around which a shoe is molded) when making boots and shoes:

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2342. These are Teraforma Whisky Stones which are intended to be chilled and then used in a glass of whiskey:

2343a. Both of these patents are for 'Grave Torpedos', they are explosive devices that were designed to protect against grave robbers. In the 1800s the word torpedo meant bomb or explosive, then in the early 1900s it took on its present meaning of underwater self propelled missile.
Patent number 228,651:

2343b. The pipe in the drawing below that is labeled G was used for adding black powder and a stopper, patent number RE9719:

2344. Buttons on the bottom of a Stanley and Swingline stapler, they release the anvil so it can be rotated, the second setting bends the staples outward and is used to temporarily bind documents, referred to as pinning.

2345. A railroad spike removing tool, the fork was placed against the spike and then the other end was hit with a sledge hammer.

2346. Possibly a scraper, a blade could have been held between the two parts with the ring clamping it in place.

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To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 404

2011-09-01T04:00:00.004-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2335. 8" long, sent in by a visitor who is looking to find the exact purpose of this device, when it's open and plugged in the red light is on:

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When the door is closed and locked, the white light is powered:

2336. 34" tall, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

A larger model of the same tool, 66" tall:

2337. 7" long:

2338. 32" long:

2339. 48" tall, another unidentified device:

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2340. 66" tall:

Answers:

2335. A photographer's contact printer, used for making photographic images from either film negatives or positives.

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2336. These are both ice chippers:

2337. A steak tenderizer, patent number 863,717:

2338. This was marked "primitive wood pack frame", though it is shaped similar to the bed warmer seen here:

2339. No answer yet for this device:

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2340. A fish trap:

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 403

2011-08-25T04:00:00.008-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2329. 22" tall:

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2330. Approximately 36" tall, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

2331. 7" long, this device is missing an important part:

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2332. About 3-1/2" long:

2333. These three tools all served the same purpose and are around 2-3/4" inside diameter:

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2334. 48" tall:

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Answers:

2329. These are both mortising machines for making a slot in a piece of wood.

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A Champion mortiser, this advertisement has a good explanation of how it works, patent number 1,037,939.

Patent number 779,955

2330. An inside view of a Redbox dvd rental machine, as seen in this video:

2331. A Scan-o-matic, used by coin collectors to quickly inspect a large number of coins, here is a description of how it was used:
1. The coins are placed in the tube sticking up from the unit and rest on the slide which can be seen protruding from the right side.
2. The slide is pulled outward to the right until a coin drops into a hole cut out of the end.
3. The slide is then pushed to the left back inside of the Scan-o-matic.
4. In the middle is a hole with a very lighweight piece of spring steel. The coin's weight pushes it down and the slide passes over it to push the coin under the lighted magnifyer for viewing.
5. The slide is then pushed all the way to the left till it comes against a stop, and when it's pulled back to the right the coin flips over so the other side can be viewed.
6. Pulling the slide back farther allows the spring to lift up to expose the hole and the coin drops out.
7. When the slide reaches the tube another coin drops into it and the process repeats.

2332. Probably a tool for pushing money into a slot in a safe, similar money paddles or money plungers are used by casinos.

2333. These are all sealers for metal jar lids, also called lid reformers, when the edge of a lid got bent out of shape, one of these tools could have been used to straighten it.

Patent number 665,517:

Patent number 750,163:

2334. A Barco BR451 gasoline powered tamper:

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 402

2011-08-18T04:00:00.008-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2323. Around 48" long:

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2324. Approximately 22" tall:

2325. 10" long, this was sent in by a visitor who is looking to find the exact purpose for it, the widths of the grooves are 3/4", 7/8", 1-1/8", 1-1/2", and the holes are 3" diameter:

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2326. This strange looking item is about 4" long:

2327. 12" tall, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

2328. 3-7/8" long:

Answers:

2323. A sawbuck, used for holding a log when cutting it:

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2324. A wine bottle corker:

2325. This is most likely a coin tray, other guesses for it include:
-desk organizer
-swage block
-cigar rolling tray
-drill bit holder

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2326. A flyer, swinger, or fly terret for use as a decoration on a horse harness:

2327. A fire sand bucket or fire bucket, it has a round bottom to discourage using it for other purposes, these red painted buckets were filled with sand and hung on the wall:

2328. A GPS tracking device, it transmits its location every ten seconds, people who buy or lease a new car sometimes find these hidden in the trunk.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 401

2011-08-11T04:00:00.005-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2317. Around 20" tall, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

2318. Approximately 6" diameter:

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2319. 18" long:

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2320. This was sent in a visitor who is looking to find the exact purpose for this pump, by pumping the center part it can shoot liquid a couple feet into the air, liquid that falls into the small bowl on top will flow back into the container.

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2321. 2" long:

2322. 7" long:

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Answers:

2317. A portable hand pump fog horn for use on a boat:

2318. A 360 degree folding arm protractor, these were mainly used for plotting theodolite readings, it's marked Adie, London:

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2319. A square hole saw, by drilling a single hole in a piece of wood it could be used to cut a square or rectangular hole:

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2320. A solvent dispenser for some type of fast evaporating or flammable cleaning fluid, a cloth could be pushed against the top part to moisten it, for use by a watchmaker, printer, etc. Liquid can flow back into the container only when the top part is pushed down but not when it's in the up position. This device looks like a smaller version of the plunger can that was posted here a couple of years ago, seen in the second photo below.

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2321. A friction fuse for a Civil War cannon, the top half of the tube contained powdered chemicals similar to those on the striking surface of a match, the other half contained black powder. A cord was attached to the loop, when it was sharply pulled, the friction compound would ignite the black powder which would shoot a flame into the cannon causing it to fire. Depending on the location of the fuse hole, soldiers had to be careful where they stood since the friction fuse could become a projectile when the cannon was shot.

2322. A woodworker's gauge for scribing a line into a piece of wood, the top part is adjustable so it can be used for either straight or curved pieces, patent number 660,176.

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To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 400

2011-08-04T04:00:00.007-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2311. 36" tall:

2312. The objective here is to describe the purpose of the copper part on the left end of this model:

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2313. 5" long:

2314. About 4-1/2" long, this first one was sent in by a visitor:

2315. Approximately 3-3/4" long:

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2316. Around 4" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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Answers:

2311. These are adjustable roller stands, used for holding long pieces of wood or other material when feeding a saw, the one with two rollers can be adjusted to a V formation to hold logs or pipe:

2312. The copper item represents a spar torpedo, the plaque next to this model of the C.S.S. Hunley read:

The torpedo was a copper cylinder with ninety pounds of explosives on a yellow pine boom some twenty-two feet long fitted into the two loops on the ship's bow, which was designed to be rammed into the target ship's side. Long lost, having sunk during it's successful attack on the federal warship Housatonic, the C.S.S. Hunley was rediscovered in 1995 and raised in August of 2000. It will undergo restoration and then be on display at the Charleston Museum.

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2313. A lock for a spare tire, in each hole there is a spring and a tab that protrudes into the opening. The device was pushed on to lock in place, when the key was turned, the tabs would retract, which allowed the springs to push the lock off the lugs.

2314. These are all corn husking pegs, they were used to open the husk to allow the removal of the ear, and also to split the husk when removing an ear of corn from the stalk.

2315. This is an old prank device, when the button is pressed the victim gets stuck with a pin, similar to the old trick vestas or match safes:

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2316. A tool that was used to make cavities in bullet molds during the Civil War:

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To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 399

2011-07-28T04:00:00.007-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2305. Approximately 6' long:

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2306. This tool was sent in by a visitor:

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2307. Around 14" long:

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2308. 3" diameter:

2309. About 8" long, another unidentified tool, text on it reads "Bridgeport Line":

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2310. 10" long, sent in by someone who is looking for the exact purpose of this reversible file, one side is fine and the other is coarse:

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Answers:

2305. A rifling machine for making grooves in gun barrels, the grooves impart a spin to the bullet that gyroscopically stabilizes it.

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On the wall behind it was a display that had a part from another rifling machine, some unfinished gun stocks, and an unfinished barrel.

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2306. An M-216B Can Wrench and Screwdriver for use on electrical equipment, patent number 1,318,088:

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2307. A phonograph for playing cylindrical records, it's missing its speaker:

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2308. A Joseph Joseph Spaghetti Measure
It looks great but the reviews on it at the link aren't good.

Another use for a mechanical iris was posted on the web this week:

2309. No answer yet for this tool, looks like it might have been specially made at Bridgeport or by someone who designed their own tool:

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2310. Also no luck yet in finding the exact purpose of this file:

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To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 398

2011-07-21T04:00:00.006-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2299. 4-1/4" long:

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2300. The top part is about 5" long:

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The upper piece can pivot and has a weight under it to keep it horizontal:

2301. Approximately 14" long:

2302. 27" tall:

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2303. About 9" long:

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2304. 4" long, sent in by a visitor who is looking to identify this device that he found in his grandfather's shed twenty years ago:

Answers:

2299. A grate bar for a stove, it allows ashes to fall through and air to circulate, patent number 730,772:

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2300. The most popular guess for this one is that it's a counting tray, possibly for use by a pharmacist, who could then pivot the tray to pour the contents into an envelope or other container. The second most popular suggestion is that it's for dispensing a fixed weight of a product, which would be loaded onto the pan and when a certain weight was reached, the pan would tilt and pour it into a container of some type.

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2301. A tool for removing the cables from a battery, patent number 1,602,685:

2302. A light from a TV news stage:

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2303. An egg cracker and separator, it can be seen in use here:

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2304. A Morgan Lee wallpaper trimmer (scroll down at the link):

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 397

2011-07-14T04:00:00.003-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2293. Around 4" long, these three tools were all used for the same purpose:

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2294. 5" long, sent in by a visitor:

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2295. 7" long:

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2296. 5' tall:

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2297. About 3-1/2" long:

2298. 1-1/4" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

Answers:

2293. These are all jar openers, for prying off lids that have rubber seals, similar to patent number 824,114

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2294. "Levels for use in plumbing leveling rods, flagstaffs, and for aligning poles in making surveys, and in running lines or levels with a surveyor's transit or leveling instrument", patent number 312,266:

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2295. A fish scaler, text on it reads "Steve's Tackle Inc., South Bend Ind., King Size De-scaler, pat. 2,795,006".

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2296. Haven't been able to verify any of these guesses for this one:
-a gambling device
-a parking meter
-part of a coin operated tire pump
-coin collector and controller for a car wash

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2297. A tool for cracking sunflower seeds:

2298. An anti-theft pocket watch attachment, when pulled by the chain the spikes would catch in the fabric of the pocket, patent number 1,450,848:

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile.

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.

Set 396

2011-07-07T04:00:00.003-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2287. 7" long:

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2288. 8" diameter, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

2289. 4-1/2" long, made of aluminum, sent in by a visitor:

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2290. Around 15" long:

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2291. About 8" long:

2292. 30" long:

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Answers:

2287. These are both mackerel plows:

Used by New England fishermen aboard mackerel schooners in the 19th century, this unusual tool converted poor “leather-bellies” to large “Number 1” fish with a few short strokes. Mackerel caught in seines at the beginning of the season—in spring and early summer—were generally lean, dry, and tough, and not worth much at market. But fishermen found a way to plump them up to command a higher price. After splitting a scrawny mackerel down its back with a larger knife, a fisherman would make several slashes parallel to the backbone with the small blade of the plow. Like plowing furrows on land, the slashes opened the flesh, causing the fish to swell, which could bring a higher price.

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2288. An anvil for hand forming sheet metal with a hammer, for making armor or other curved metal parts, also called sinking or doming, this is a relatively fast method but it results in stretching and therefore thinning the metal, risking failure of the metal if it is 'sunk' too far.

It's similar to a dishing stump, which is a bowl shaped depression cut into a tree stump.

It's part of a set of three progressively more dished anvils, this is the least dished and is currently being used to form an elbow protector. When fully curved, it will be lined with closed cell foam and have leather straps attached.

2289. A tool used for removing the locking wedge on a black powder rifle, the locking wedge connects the barrel of the gun to the stock:

The owner of this tool describes how to use it:
"You grasp it in your hand (convenient finger grooves) and use the square end to hammer the wedge loose. You then use the chisel end to push the wedge all the way out."

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2290. A Merle adjustable corner clamp, the steel band is used to clamp picture frames, shelving, furniture, etc.

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Two images from the box:

2291. A tire repair scraper from 1926, used when applying patches to tires or inner tubes, patent number 1,632,544:

2292. A Diston Gauge Saw:

Adapted to tenoning, shouldering, dovetailing, curving, cog-cutting, or any purpose where a definite depth of cut is required.

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The back saw has a stiffening rib that allows for better control and more precise cutting when making dovetails, mitres, or tenons.

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To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile.

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.

Set 395

2011-06-30T04:00:00.013-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2281. 16" tall:

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2282. 14" tall, these are made of sheet metal and are hollow:

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2283. 11-1/2" tall, sent in by a visitor who is looking to find the purpose of this device:

There is 2-1/4" clearance between the blades and the slotted base.

Text on it reads “Made in Italy” and “Kalian – N.Y.C. 5177”.

Disassembled image

2284. Around 10-1/2" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2285. Two partial shots:

2286. 29" long:

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Answers:

2281. This was part of a display of riverboat gambling devices in a museum:

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2282. These are rivet catchers, used by riveters building ships, bridges or skyscrapers to catch the white hot rivets thrown from the worker at the forge:

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One can be seen very briefly at 20:10 in this video on the Empire State Building:

2283. Haven't yet been able to verify the purpose of this device:

2284. A mailing machine, used to put addresses on newspapers or magazines, it has a glue roller and a blade for cutting the paper, patent number 1,513,876:

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2285. These are both Archimedes type egg beaters, they work in the same way as the Archimedes drill, if you hold the handle and move the center part up and down it causes the business end to spin:

2286. An Edmund Draper triple armed protractor that was used by army engineers in the 1800s:

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"The Hand Held Corn Sheller &" is a comprehensive book by Jim Moffet that contains patents, photos, and the history of shellers. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in farming or corn related items, the price is $40, orders can be placed at the email address below, there is a good review of it on this site.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile, please include dimensions, any text on the item, and where it was found.

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.

Set 394

2011-06-22T04:00:00.008-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2275. 12-1/4" long:

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2276. Around 5-1/2" tall:

2277. These were sent in by a visitor who was looking to find their exact purpose:

2278. 8" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2279. These are close-ups of something most people would recognize:

2280. 12" long:

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Answers:

2275. A European coach maker's wrench:

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2276. A tubular lock pick, for use on the type of lock commonly seen on vending machines.

2277. Alcohol torches, used for soldering by electricians, mechanics, repairmen, and radio workers, patent number 1,551,069. The interesting thing about these torches is how they're powered:

The wick is positioned such that it is directly under the head and it is then lit on fire. The heat produced by the burning wick heats up the head and also conducts down to the tank, heating it up as well. This heating effect causes the fuel to expand which causes a buildup of pressure, thus causing evaporated fuel to escape from the head. The escaping fuel has considerable velocity. Obviously, this escaping fuel will catch on fire in the presence of the burning wick. You must realize that the wick must remain burning for the torch to burn. The wick is creating the pressure that causes the fuel to escape as well as the heat to keep the torch burning.

Some of these torches would use naphtha instead of alcohol.

A video of one that has been lit:

2278. A knife from a US Navy life raft survival kit, the cork handle causes it to float, the holes make it lighter, it has a rounded tip so the raft won't be accidentally punctured, the handle was painted orange so it could be easily seen if lost overboard, and it has a lanyard for tying it to the raft. Text on it reads 27C/2023.

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2279. These are both close-ups of vintage wash boards:

2280. A Case Gard 100 Shotgun Ammo Box, it has two trays that hold 50 shells each.

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Practical Lock Picking: A Physical Penetration Tester's Training Guideis an excellent book on how locks work and how they can be picked.

The best tool book on the market:

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile.

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.

Set 393

2011-06-16T04:00:00.014-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2269. Around 14" long:

2270. 6' tall:

2271. Over 48" tall:

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2272. 11-1/2" long:

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2273. 18" tall, sent in by a visitor who is looking to find the purpose of this device:

2274. 2-1/8" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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Answers:

2269. An Air Traffic Controller's Signal Light Gun, used to signal pilots when radio communication isn't working.

2270. An IBM 305 RAMAC hard drive from 1956

It was the first commercial computer to use a moving head hard disk drive, storing five million characters of accounting data, the equivalent of 64,000 punch cards, on 50 24" magnetic disks. To put it in today's terms, the colossal machine held about 5MB of data. Its magnetic disks were accessed by two arms, controlled by vacuum-tubes, that were noisily protected by compressed air.

2271. A seed corn drier, ears of corn were placed on the spikes to dry, the door was used to place in a lamp or heater, patent number 1,228,556.

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2272. A Juno Model 3 Geiger Counter:

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2273. Lots of interesting guesses for this device but I haven't been able to verify any of them:

-Lamp or heater for use in a high dust environment

-Kerosene heater
-Airport runway or taxiway marker lantern
-Old road side smudge pot lamp
-A fumigator
-Roadworker's marker lamp
-Smudge pot -- a dirty-burning flame to coat an orchard with soot as part of a protection against freezing
-Alternate form of a Davy safety lamp

2274. A salt pulverizer, for breaking up salt in a shaker, it's also called a salt declumper, patent number 71,643:

Other patented salt pulverizers:
Number 270,189

Number 188,709

Number 2,442,486

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Next week I'll be posting on Wednesday morning instead of the usual Thursday.

Three of the funniest books that I've read:

The answers will be posted on Friday evening.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile.

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.

Set 392

2011-06-09T04:00:00.011-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2263. Around 15" tall:

2264. The largest one is 11-1/2" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2265. Sent in by a visitor who found this about twelve inches away from a four foot diameter tree stump:

Two more images

2266. Approximately 32" long:

2267. About 10" long:

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2268. The part on the left is 7" long:

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Answers:

2263. A dinner pail and lantern, a person could use it light their way as they walked to work, and also to heat their lunch or dinner, patent number 120,442.

2264. These are tools that were used by oyster farmers in Europe:

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2265. An old steering wheel column that was used for a stake:

Two more images

2266. A Crosley Icy Ball refrigerator, an intermittent heat absorption type of refrigerator that used a water/ammonia mixture as a refrigerant.

2267. No answer yet for this tool:

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2268. A Negus patent taffrail log for measuring the speed of a boat.

The instructions on the inside of the box read, “This little Log is designed to use on small craft, with Taffrail close to the water. . .the 50 feet line regularly supplied with this Log will give good results in small vessels, up to a speed of 9 or 10 miles . . .”

Patent number 481,241:

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I own a lot of different tool books but the one that I always use first as a reference is the Dictionary of American Hand Tools: A Pictorial Synopsis (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
It has over 4,500 images and is a great book for learning about about a wide variety of tools.

After much soul searching I've decided to become an Amazon affiliate to help pay for the costs of finding and purchasing items to post here. Please consider purchasing books through my links if you are interested in them, there is no additional cost for the buyer and a small percentage will be paid to my account.

More than 400 very interesting and unusual 'What is it?' type items:

These two books both have great photos of many fascinating old wood working tools.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile.

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.

Set 391

2011-06-02T04:00:00.009-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2257. Around 5-1/2" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses on this one and a chance to win a T-shirt:

2258. 3" long, sent in by a visitor who is looking to identify this item:

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2259. Around 12" tall:

2260. Another unidentified item that was sent in by a visitor, it's heavy and made of porcelain:

2261. 3/4" diameter:

2262. These tools are all related:

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Answers:

2257. These are sharpshooter's glasses from the Civil War, the frosted glass eliminated distractions to help them concentrate and the amber color heightened contrast for better vision. They were worn by the most accurate shooters who were used as snipers and were assigned positions surrounding the battlefields.

2258. The most popular suggestion for this is that it's some type of mold, other guesses include: a connector for two rods or pipes, a cad welding fixture, and a bearing or watch press.

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2259. This is the floating hourglass science puzzle, when it's inverted, one of the hourglasses rises and the other sinks but neither moves at all for at least 12 to 15 seconds, the puzzle is to figure out why there is a delay in movement. There is a good video of it at the link. Answer below

There is a delay because of friction against the side of the tube, the hourglasses are top heavy and tilt slightly until some of the sand falls to the bottom.

2260. This is a baren used for block printing. When you have inked the printing block and put the paper over it, the baren is used to apply pressure to make the ink evenly transfer to the paper.

2261. A Victorian picture nail cover:

2262. Some of these devices were used to service the Hubble Telescope on mission STS-125:

At far right is the pistol grip tool. It can install and remove instruments, drive latches and open doors. A self-contained, high-torque drive, the tool features an on-board computer that permits users to tailor its performance to the mission demands. In the foreground are the card extraction and insertion tools to enable removal of electronic cards. At top center is the plastic version of the pistol grip tool used by astronauts during practice in the water tank at NASA's Johnson Space Center. At center left is the bit caddy.

There are lots of great photos of this mission at the link.

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-----

I own a lot of different tool books but the one that I use first as a reference is the Dictionary of American Hand Tools: A Pictorial Synopsis (Schiffer Book for Collectors) It has over 4,500 images and is a great book for learning about about a wide variety of tools. This book gets my highest recommendation.

I've decided to become an Amazon affiliate to help pay for the costs of finding and purchasing items to post here. Please consider purchasing books through my links if you are interested in them, there is no additional cost for the buyer and a small percentage will be paid to my account.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile.

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.

Set 390

2011-05-26T04:00:00.007-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2251. Around 5" long:

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2252. Approximately 8" long, the entire barrel is hollow and open on both ends:

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2253. 14-1/2" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses on this one and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2254. Sent in by a visitor who is looking to find the exact purpose of this device:

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2255. 36" diameter:

2256. 3" long:

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Answers:

2251. A bolt from a Sten submachine gun, also called a breech block, the small part in the center on the end is the firing pin:

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2252. A Cressi Torpedine Sport spear gun, for underwater hunting, text on it reads 'Il Pescatore Subacqueo, Cressi, made in Italy, Genoa'.

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2253. A trowel bayonet, for use by soldiers to dig trenches.

In many of Frederick Remington's paintings you see soldiers lying behind their horses for cover. This was not conducive to winning, for if your horse was wounded or worse dead it was a long walk back to the fort. What was needed was an entrenching tool. In an effort to cut down the weight load of the soldiers it was planned to incorporate this entrenching tool into an already issued piece of equipment. Thus was born the intrenching bayonet. The name trowel was taken from the bricklayers tool that the intrenching weapon resembled.

The trowel was meant to be used as a hand tool for digging. Some liked the extra leverage gained by mounting the bayonet to the end of the rifle. Needless to say plugged bores and bent barrels were the order of the day.

Similar to patent number RE6083.

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2254. A perfume pump atomizer:

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2255. A wheel from a Qing Dynasty cannon that was made in 1695, the cannon just sold at auction for $149,500, much more information on this historic weapon can be seen at the link.

Other examples of this type of wheel can be seen here and here.

Shoeing of the wheel was done with metal plates called strakes, which were kept in place with strake nails.

2256. A Minton fishing rod holder, patent number 2,890,847:

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I own a lot of different tool books but the one that I use first as a reference is the Dictionary of American Hand Tools: A Pictorial Synopsis (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
It has over 4,500 images and is a great book for learning about about a wide variety of tools. This book gets my highest recommendation.

I've decided to become an Amazon affiliate to help pay for the costs of finding and purchasing items to post here. Please consider purchasing books through my links if you are interested in them, there is no additional cost for the buyer and a small percentage will be paid to my account.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile.

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.

Set 389

2011-05-19T04:00:00.012-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2245. 19" long:

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2246. 16" long, sent in by a visitor who is looking to find the purpose for this item:

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2247. 9" long:

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This is a clue for the purpose the the tool seen above.

2248. 32" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses on this device and a chance to win a T-shirt:

2249. 7" long:

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2250. 29" long:

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The case for it:

Answers:

2245. An Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container (ALSRC),

...an aluminum box with a triple seal manufactured by the Nuclear Division of Union Carbide. It was used on Apollo lunar landing missions to preserve a lunar-like vacuum around the samples and protect them from the shock environment of the return flight to earth. An aluminum mesh liner helped absorb impacts.

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2246. No answer yet for this one, looks like it could be used to pull a heavy load by attaching a rope to the center part:

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2247. A spreader used to tighten the twist when making rope, it's slid along the length of the stands during the twisting action to force the formation of a tight and constant spiral.

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This is a rope winder, its design would have allowed it to be used while placed on a fence or a wagon sideboard.

2248. These are lunar tongs for use by an astronaut for picking up moon rocks:

2249. A fisherman's hook remover:

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2250. A 201-Z Gas Gun for dispersing riots, it can fire:
-No. 112 Spedeheat Grenade
-No. 206 Spedeheat Projectiles
-No. 203 Short Rang Cartridges
-No. 230 Flite-Rite Projectiles

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I own a lot of different tool books but the one that I use first as a reference is the Dictionary of American Hand Tools: A Pictorial Synopsis (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
It has over 4,500 images and is a great book for learning about about a wide variety of tools. This book gets my highest recommendation.

I've decided to become an Amazon affiliate to help pay for the costs of finding and purchasing items to post here. Please consider purchasing books through my links if you are interested in them, there is no additional cost for the buyer and a small percentage will be paid to my account.

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile.

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.

Set 388

2011-05-12T04:00:00.013-04:00

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.

2239. 7" diameter:

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2240. Around 14" long:

2241. About 15" tall:

2242. 12" long:

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2243. Sent in by a visitor who would like to find the exact purpose for this item:

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2244. 25-1/2" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses on this tool and a chance to win a t-shirt:

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Answers:

2239. A gimbaled oil lamp for use on an old ship:

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2240. A burn bag, this is a container that is used by the government for holding classified documents that are to be burned, one of these can be seen in the famous White House situation room photograph from a few weeks ago.

2241. A roof anchor, it can be temporarily nailed to the top of a roof, a rope can then be attached to it to keep workers from falling off.

2242. Some type of chain tool, still not sure exactly how this Chain-ger was used:

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2243. The most popular suggestion for this is that it's a book binder's clamp, though it looks similar to a flask clamp, which is used in foundry work for holding sand casting frames in position.

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2244. A logger's rigging hammer or grab maul, used to set and remove a grab hook from a log.

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Close-up image

I own a lot of different tool books but the one that I use first as a reference is the Dictionary of American Hand Tools: A Pictorial Synopsis (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
It has over 4,500 images and is a great book for learning about about a wide variety of tools. This book gets my highest recommendation.

I've decided to become an Amazon affiliate to help pay for the costs of finding and purchasing items to post here. Please consider purchasing books through my links if you are interested in them, there is no additional cost for the buyer and a small percentage will be paid to my account.

-----

A few months ago I had posted some wood splitting videos, yesterday I saw another one that I thought was interesting:

To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile.

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.