What is it? CLXII

[R.H.]

Yes, projector is correct, and it's a little different from most in that it uses carbon arc light.

Rob

[Leo Lichtman]

"R.H." wrote: Any idea if the small platform above the legs has a purpose or is it just decorative? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I think it's to hold other books--at least that's the way mine is used.

[DoN. Nichols]

According to R.H. :

933) This is the semi-duplicate. The end shown is designed to expand in cracks in stone to provide a grip in mountain climbing and caving type activities. 934) A microtome -- for slicing off very thin samples of organic materials to make microscope slides. The original sample is mounted in a cylinder of wax to fit the hole in the top. As the lever is slid to the left, it shaves a very thin slice off the sample and the surrounding wax ready for placing on the microscope slide, adding perhaps some stains to make certain things more visible, a mounting compound, and a cover glass.

As the lever is returned to its original position, the lower lever keyed to a slot in the main lever will advance a feedscrew to extend the sample just the right distance for another slice to be made.

The one which I have is rather more complex, with a separately mounted blade which looks like a refugee from a straight razor, and has adjustments to control how far it is extended per slice. It also has a tray to collect the sliced samples.

This one looks as though it may use a single-edged or double-edged razor blade clamped below the main lever.

It would be interesting to see other views, to see whether there is some provision for adjusting the thickness per slice.

935) These look like cheap to manufacture versions of caltrops.

Perhaps these are intended to be used against human opponents walking barefoot or in sandals -- such as in Vietnam.

The originals were made to keep horse-borne warriors from attacking.

936) Either a strange version of a pencil sharpener, or perhaps for pointing wooden dowels. 937) A library stand for an unabridged dictionary. The sides raise and fall allowing the pages on either side to have the same level, keeping the dictionary from flapping shut if not held. 938) Not really sure about this one. From the shape of the handle and the point, I think that it may be for climbing up a sloped icy surface -- using two of them -- one in each hand -- and perhaps some specialized kind of footwear to help as well. 939) An early version of a slide projector (magic lantern), I think.

The slide carrier goes through the slot just before the taper starts.

The black area contains the lamp. I'm not sure whether it is an incandescent lamp, or a flame and mantle style. It almost looks as though there is a projection for fitting a gas feed to on the more distant end.

The brass section in the near end is the projection lens and a brass knob for adjusting the focus.

I guess that it *could* be an illuminator for a microscope sub-stage, with the slot accepting color filters instead of slides.

Now to see what others have guessed or identified.

Enjoy, DoN.

[Steve R.]

934 A microtome

938 a picaroon

Steve R.

[Christian Stü]

"R.H." schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:46030b3b$0$17200$ [e-mail]...

For cinema units carbon arc lighting is usual. For slide projectors, or magic lantern, hmmm, not.

greetings

[R.H.]

You're probably right, I thought that the vertical pieces at the corners would be longer if it was made to hold books, but I guess that they're tall enough.

Rob

[DoN. Nichols]

I think that the purpose was to give longer "creep paths" for current to flow when it is wet -- e.g. from rain or ice. This allows it to operate at a higher voltage than a straight '+' shape would allow.

Also less chance of someone interpreting it as an upside down Cross, and calling the power company "Satanic". :-)

Enjoy, DoN.

[Ned Simmons]

It's ceramic, i.e., brittle, so a sharp corner would be a likely place for cracks to start.

Ned Simmons

[Duck]

933 is the business end of what are called in the climbing biz as "protection". Specifically a Cam device.

[Leo Lichtman]

"R.H." wrote: You're probably right, I thought that the vertical pieces at the corners would be longer if it was made to hold books, but I guess that they're tall enough. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ You're probably picturing the books standing like they would on a library shelf. I have mine resting with the bindings on top.

[John Husvar]

You mean it isn't Satanic!?!

[Gunner]

I know PG&E is..Pacific Greed and Extortion....

The bastards And f*ck Grey Davis with a farriers rasp too!

Gunner Political Correctness

A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.

[John]

The one longer arm with the smaller notch for a wire is for the messenger cable. That is a steel cable much stronger than the current carrying cables. The messenger cable allows the wires to be pulled tighter and higher than without it or used for longer spans. On three phase applications they would be used for low voltage only.

John

[John Husvar]

That hurts just thinking about it! :)

[RicodJour]

It wouldn't make very much sense to put your glass of scotch _above_ the book in case it spills, right? ;)

R

[R.H.]

that its a fish handling tool from Japan.

I agree that the smaller tool is a fish mover, but it's hard to say for sure about the other one.

Rob

[J. Clarke]

Was out driving today and saw some in the real world, of a more modern, presumably plastic, construction.

that the new ones have ratcheting clips instead of having to be tied on with wire.

Wouldn't be surprised if some of the ceramic ones were still up around here. If I see one and can get a picture I'll put it up on the same site.

[Michael A. Terrell]

Come on, Gunner! You need something with at least a 2 HP motor to do the job right. BTW, don't forget to trim his hemorrhoids with your plasma cutter.