What Is It?

A better mouse trap

A better mouse trap only catches a better class of mice. HTRN

Could you please make the pictures just a tiny bit blurrier? Possibly you could hand the object to a Bigfoot that is walking away from the camera? That should do it.

Looks vaguely woodworking tool-ish to me. Maybe it's a depth-controlled gougey-scrapey thing? For making precise gougey-scrapies.

The pictures are of sufficient quality that if you knew what it was, you wouldn't complain about them.

How little you know me!

But you are correct. A clearer picture would only mean that I'd have more information to base my clearly and utterly clueless guess upon.

That said, I stand by that original guess - such as it was.

Although I'd like to add that I now firmly believe it is in fact the left-handed version.

Bears a passing resemblance to a cowl latch, except over-complicated.

So I assume it is not.

If you'd like, and are registered, I'll be happy to share the solution after you post your answer/guess.

LL

I wondered where I had left my kneecap - Now give it back!

There seem to be markings on the right side (last 2 pictures)

The rubber cap is it for protection or to hold something?

It looks like some kind of measurement device to me

Thanks for "jogging" my memory. Oh, the delight, measuring the toe nails of racoons, in order to properly determine their gender. On male racoons, the larger toe nails are on the inner toes, like those of most human beings. On female racoons, the toe nails have reverse arrangement, although the differences aren't that great. That's why you need to measure them carefully. The green metal bar with the small end is for your protection. Always keep that in an upright position. The brown rubber bulb is for protection also. If the racoon starts to move, his or her toe nail moves forward and pushes against the soft rubbery thing. THAT really gives them the cooties and they back off!

Hello lynlynch:

How are you?...................Looks to me that the blue/green bit digs into or grips something like carpet.

Can you give any idea of scale? And remove the brown cap? What is under it?

I think it may be something to do with pushing and holding canvas?

Tell us how big it is at least!

The "brown cap" is actually a retaining device to allow you to hold it while you perform the test.

What's under it is the heart of the instrument's simplicity.

Do you mean the wood under it or the underside of this tool? A bit confused here. If you meant the underside of it, it could be a plainer or shaver. Ky.

the tool, not the wood.

It has nothing to do with wood.

I hope you haven't stretched carpet over that beautiful timber! That brown thing would fit a Knee, wouldn't it?

Here's a little perspective.

Both the top(shown) and the bottom of the device are used when the item is in service.

LL

Ah that's what it is!

"a little perspective", Lyn you knew all the time!

I got it! Its a 5" timewaster, measuring the tension slowly building up in the participants.

It is a puzzle!

And it is work just a bit to well.

I would really like to pick it up and see what it can do.

I hate it when I can't investigate properly.

Any hints available to help relieve the anxiety about not being able to pick it up and play/interrogate it?

BAB

It's either a something that looks like nothing, or a nothing that looks like something - but I can't tell which from a photo, I'd have to heft it. Definitely familiar, though.

A door hinge applicator? To get it right the first time?

The markings seem to be two different scales. The dark metal piece between the scales appears to be able to swing out, hinged on a pin at almost the end.

Do to the wedge shape at the scale end it appears to measure the size of a gap.

The detente at the other end looks like it is used to attach to something else.

The flying buttress little feet leads me to belie that it is used in this position.

If something was slid under the scale end the dark metal piece would raise between them. I conject that the dark metal piece between them is the pointer to read the scale by.

As for the little radar dish with the rubber protector I have not a clue.

It is a fine widget you have there lynlynch

Brad

It is clearly a mechanical Babelfish complete with AM/FM Tuner for the avid inter-galactic hitchhiker.

A "pull-out" gauge? Actually my guess would be a specialty application inside diameter gauge.

Great challange!

Jim

Is it for measuring surface flatness ?

Over here the council is obliged to fix pavements (US sidewalks) if adjacent paving slabs do not align correctly vertically (are a trip hazard). The device looks as though it could be used to measure very small "steps".

The scale looks like its marked in 100's of lbs weight??

Could it be a device to measure the weight of something by kicking it under a pallet or drum or something???

The distance the wedge goes under the pallet would indicate the weight perhaps??

PlbMak knows a lot about this sort of thing. In fact, it's surprising that it has escaped his series of Friday Afternoon Picture Quizzes!

I'm here, I'm here, I've just been running V short of time lately. I wondered if it was for calibrating left footed struggle bars?

Ahh! I have just checked with me old mate Major Dennis Bloodnock, Late of one step back, and have been assured it's for checking the tension of the chin straps of British Army regulation pith helmets, India, for the use of; only. Glad that's sorted out, then.

Sorry Old Bean,

That's not it.

Cheers,

LL

Hello LL,

First I though was whistle. But it could ne a V belt tension thingy?

Take care, all money and plaudits to///blahblah.blah.com

Gates 91132 Belt Tension Tester

That's it!!!

It tests the tension of drive belts.

Where's yours Bricky?

Wicked, cool awsum challenge dude! I give you the "Stump the Chump" award.

Many of my very limited brain cells overheated and fried with this challenge.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

A new challenge will be posted soon.

The hunter will become the hunted.

I should have shown the bloody thing to Karl! He would have known for sure. Good one lynlynch. I'm a happy man now!

Its been said before and I'll say it again: Revenge is sweet Mate. Ky.

Karl told you, didn't he! Good one babybear .

Hello ky,

How you doing?...........That was one of the best

SSSHHH....Carl said to keep stum! How do you spell 'stum? SStum? Mums the word and all that.

In fact I do not Karl! I thought I had it when I said it was used on a loom to tension the thread of the 'waft' is it? To tight and they can break as they get tighter as the weave goes on. I thought is also looked like a whistle! Well, as much as it does an eggshell tester! For some reason I was thinking of work, wondering what happened to my Mic after I left. It brought back memories of me using it in the tool shop, and recall the engineer there using a tensioner to get vee belts I thinks, the same tension. The one he used was like a laser pointer. Nothing like this one. But I gave it a try.

I honestly thought it would run until the game was played this afternoon? Is it?

Well, don't clap just send money etc............

The funny thing is I still do not know how it works. Does the sort of bent finger thats sticking up hook over the belt, or what?........Can you tell me?

Brilliant I think LL deserves a GA from me! Even is the 'cup' is not real!

So far, no cigar. The graduations are pounds and Newtons.

Have fun!

LL

Well, it looks like it says "TECO" on it, and they make clamping devices. So, if the scale is in newtons, perhaps it's to set a clamping device?

Nope.

Actually, when I first looked at it, I thought is was an attachment to an old sewing machine. But if that scale is in newtons, perhaps it's used to set some type of springy thingy.

My mother had one of those old machines and I spent hours playing with the attachments. The button hole attachment had gears and a sprocket.

Anyway, in keeping with the lack of specificity of your last post, maybe.

It's a penny pincher. Good quality one too, from the look of it. Must've set you back at least £several...

Oh, you cheeky monkey you. Me, sitting on the other side of a device question, is totally madding.

Ok, way over the the top for a seamstress.

Perhaps, something to do with printing. Roller pressure?

It would be, maybe easier, if I could hold it. What moves and what doesn't. At only 5" long, small. Does the knob at the end turn? And what exactly is under the rubber part? Does that turn too?

Great challenge!

I can remember a smaller but similar device that measured the pressure of a pen on a chart recorder. But that's not it. So, I'm going to say it measures the spring loaded, or weighted pressure, on a stamping or printing device.

Or, it could be a testing tool for an electric motor.

Anyway, all stabs in the dark.

"As for the little radar dish with the rubber protector I have not a clue."

"And what exactly is under the rubber part?"

"What exactly is under the rubber part" is in contact with the front of your index finger during the measurement, normally between the first two joints. The "rubber part" secures it to your finger.

LL

Ok, so, you stick your index finger over the middle knob. The widest part you must hold with your thumb and your middle finger. So you stick it in somewhere, move your index finger back and forth, until movement stops, then remove, and take a reading.

Oh, thanks, that really clears it up.

So, it doesn't read newtons directly, only what it should be at this position.

The measurement of some type of a press.

It measures force directly. You only need your index finger and thumb to take a reading.

Forget the press. More springy>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Ok, then some type of regulator, or safety relief valve, or a metering device....

Nope.

AAAARRRRRGGGGG!

I'm going to have to sleep on it.

You are a sadist.

See you in the AM.

Peace, out

Hello Bricky,

How you doing?.................If you went to sleep on that you can measure how stiff you are in the morning! Cos, boy will you wake uncomfortably! Like sleeping on a mattress made of brick bats!

Take care and good sleeping!

So - it's a scale, for measuring the weight of something!

Is it a fish scale?

Could it be a device that controls the depth of a nail when shot into different timbers with a Nail gun. To make sure it doesn't come out the other side? Using your finger and the brown bit to locate the tip of the nail and then adjusting some spring.

If its in far enough its indecent (in decent). It is starting to hurt a bit, the challange that is!

"What moves and what doesn't"

The device has two moving parts. The pointy indicator and the green, dish shaped piece under the retaining strap.

The shiny thing, opposite the pointy thing, is just a pocket clip. I suppose you could say it moves, too.

A stab in the dark..

The tool is used to measure either the force on a triggure of a pistol or rifle, having the low pressure graduated scale.

The Brown bit resets the device after use for new testing?

God, I love this!

No.

Ok, there is a graduated scale on the device, does it also contain a spring against that lever in the slot?

So, as you press the device against a surface you get a force result of how much it deflects?

No spring against the lever, but it does measure deflection.

It's a torque meter.

to measure the strenght of a push button setting?

It measures not weight, but force.

Grrrrrrrrr this is getting to me now.... I had a dream about this last night!!

Is it some measuring thing to measure the tension between two wires or spring coils, some sort of tension tester for piano/guitar strings...?????

You're on the right track. It's "some measuring thing"

How about a telegraph wire tension tester???

This is soooooooooo annoying, I'm sure sometime in my life I've seen something like this, but what is it....?

Good thread / challenge

How about a telegraph wire tension tester???

Nope.

Is it a torque meter? A device to measure the amount of torque in a wound spring, for instance?

If not, please send the answer in an email - to tomfranpat@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Tom

If the dimension is about 5" it must be a door stop. (to keep the door open). The spring loaded latch presses the door against the rubber helmet. One has to step on the helmet to release the latch.

If it is 5 cm it a ding-dong-dang.

Not even close

Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but, I had to satisfy myself that the device could not actually be used as a door stop.

After exhaustive testing around the house, I have concluded that it is not a viable device for holding doors in any position.

LL

Hello lynlynch:

is it to do with the tension in either bicycle wheels or spoked wheels of sort sort?

Does it measure the tautness of the sound-board or wires on a piano?

Take care..............

Hello,

It has to do with tension, and "tautness" , but, not of the items you have mentioned.

Is it something used to measure the force on sails or other rig on a sailboat?

I had to guess because without a subscription there's no way to easily follow the bottomless pit to the answer....

Is it a medical device ?, maybe to check tendons in foot arches.

This may be way out in left field but does it have something to do with testing the shells of eggs? STOP LAUGHING AT ME!

Even my wife, who can't understand why grown people would do this, got a chuckle out of "testing the shells of eggs". That's not in left field, that's outa the park.

It has no medical function, either.

The answer will be revealed when the winner of the Super Bowl is known.

Lyn

Hello LL,

I am a foriegner, can you give me some idea when the super bowl is going to be played......Please?

today

tomorrow

The Superbowl is the title match for American football. Yes, the real football. Not some wimpy ass game that you can't use your arms and hands. The NFL, (National Football League), is huge here in the states, even women watch it.

The game between the Arizona_Cardinals and the Pittsburgh_Steelers will be broadcast Sunday afternoon. As I am a New_England_Patriots fan, I could care less who wins. But I will enjoy the game, with friends, with lots of beer and food.

Arizona is the under dog, but I'm rooting for them.

Hello Bricky,

I know what the NFL is. I used to watch it on SKY, the same with Baseball.

I just have lost touch recently and did not know who was in the Final.

I try to follow it on the web, but been a bit busy with other stuff to search it out. Great game though!.................And btw, 'Football' PROPER football, the players wear hardly any protection, so it is not that wimpy! Cheeky bugger!

Take care...................

Thanks Brick, we can use you support... We've got to pay for that new-fangled stadium so it's important that we have a winning team... apparently...

Sorry. I have been corrected, It is tomorrow.

Hello not so smart,

The Super Bowl is on Sunday at EST? Easton standard time?

I can't wait much longer!

Of course, I really do not know why anyone is still posting...........I have the correct answer!

Hello not so smart:

Living up to your name?...............

You must be yoking!...........Mine are no better! I have a flannel if you want to wipe your face, egg on?

I have only read down this far so sorry if anyone else has told this 'joke'........I guess it is nothing to be proud of really eh? Little things please little minds......well, thats what I keep telling myself........!

Take care....................

Hey babybear,

How you doin'? I expected to be knocked about for the egg thing. I should have read some more of the posts before responding.oops.

I try to live up to my name every day. It aint easy! I learned long ago that if you can't take a joke at your expense now and again, well you might as well just keep quiet, and I certainly am not quiet.

Hello not so smart:

I am a member of the stuip joke/egg on face society myself! Life long!

Something to do inside a sewing machine ?

This item would not be used in the home, for any reason, except maybe to drive you guys bonkers trying to figure out what it is.

LL

Is it for measuring the tension in a tennis raquet strings or something similar????

God this is infuriating!!!

"tension in a tennis raquet strings or something similar????"

Tension, yes.

"raquet strings or something similar"

Similar in some ways? I suppose you could say that.

"infuriating!!!" That's the point.

Okay.... maybe its a tennis net tension measuring thingie to get the correct net height???

Is it sport related at all??

How about fishing nets on a trawler (clutching at straws now)!!!

"clutching at straws now"

Oh, the feeling of smugness that wafts through the room, knowing that I know at least one thing you guys don't. BTW, I'm fondling it as I type.

"Is it sport related at all??" There is one "sport" that could use this device, and probably does. That use would be a correct application of the device. However, that probably isn't it's primary application. I would think you would see it used more in industry.

I'm going to get you back, lyn. Once this challenge is resolved, I've got a new one.

Revenge is a dish best served cold!

So, what I've walked away from, is that it's an industrial device, probably proprietary, for one specific machine, or type of machine. It measures the tension of some strings or cables.

Something to do with a lifting device?

A really good challenge.

Oh, great! Look what you've gotten us into now,Lyn. I'm tellin.