What is it? Set 511

[Bill]

Maybe #2981 is for pulling up plant samples off of the bottom of a lake. It appears that the wires "clutch" when it is lifted

Bill

[DoN. Nichols]

Posting from Rec.crafts.metalworking as always. Where are *you* posting from, since these are cross-posted to three newsgroups.

2977) Intersting. I would like more views of it. At first thought, I considered it to be an advertising belt buckle, but the single hole at the top -- only on the back plate is not right for that. Perhaps something to hold a few dollar bills (or larger) in something contoured to fit a hip pocket. 2978) Anti-kickback fingers for a circular saw -- either a table saw or a radial arm saw. 2979) I think for hand carding wool or flax.

2980) Hmm ... what is the material?

If wood, it could be a floating safe to hold valuables. (And it looks as though there was a third part which screwed onto the other end.

If Metal -- particularly if cast iron, it could be a weapon, particularly an explosive (powder long ago washed out) held on long pole at the front of an attacking ship. I guess that it could also be some form of projectile.

2981) I have no idea what it was made to be, but I can see at least one possible use for it. A cylindrical roll of twine could slide over the upper part, and the fingers could catch the twine to keep it from unwinding under gravity -- but if you grab the end and pull, the spring loaded fingers will release in turn until you have as much as you want and then cut off, leaving the remainder of the twine waiting for the next need.

Rather nicely made, too.

Now to post this and see what others have suggested.

Enjoy, DoN.

[Rob H.]

It's metal but I couldn't find a reference for any of the suggestions for it.

Answers to four of this week's items have been posted:

As I also mention on the site, I'll be posting on Wednesday next week. Thanks to all who participated, have a great weekend everyone!

Rob

[Nick]

A couple of wild guesses:

2980: A safety plug fitted to the (expansion) chamber of a substantial wood/coal fired steam engine. I'm guessing that the core of the male threaded part is lead filled. The female cap may also be of lead. Female part removed when testing the boiler at overpressure but fitted during normal use. This might tally with its location.

2982: An instrument for rough aiming of either an optical instrument (telescope, panoramic camera?) or artillery. Used outdoors but not constantly (Protect from weather when not in use). Dowel holes (?) in base for precise compass alignment. Dunno. Would say relatively modern and well made. Could be nautical but think not.

I really enjoy RobH's weekly What Is It. Gives the little grey cells some exercise. Well done. Nick.

[J Burns]

2982: I see it has 32 points as well as degrees.

When the Man Overboard Alarm rang, I'd run up to the flying bridge and point. Somebody down on the bridge would get the approximate relative bearing by looking at my arm, then convert it to a true bearing. I'd lose sight of the life jacket, but we could come back to the spot.

This device might enable a military or civilian lookout to report a bearing to the nearest degree or nearest point. He wouldn't want much magnification on a rolling ship. I imagine the lens would normally be turned down with the lid closed with a canvas cover over the whole thing.

A lookout might report the relative bearing of a small boat, a buoy, or a reef, for examples. Before radar, a lookout would report ships.

[Rob H.]

the side of a wooden container or a large barrel. The object is to knock loose the individual grains growing on top of the stalks.

loaded into a mechanical chaffer.

polishing produced 'white' rice. ( all of the outer layers of the individual rice grain removed.)

consuming, ineffective, and maybe possibly for harvesting individual batches from boutique plants.

The person who sent me the photos had just returned from a trip to Korea where he had purchased the device. He was told that's what it was for, you're right that it doesn't look very efficient, maybe you are correct about it being used for individual batches. I'm always happy to change my answers when a good reference is provided, but for now I don't have any better ideas for this item.

figure out!

Seems like it's been a while since I posted a close up of an everyday object, but I have something in the same ballpark coming up on Wednesday. It's a small part of an object that everyone would recognize, but if you've never actually used the object it would be difficult to identify the small part.

Rob

[Rob H.]

Sounds like that would work but I sure don't know if it's correct or not. I'll mention your idea to the owner the next time I see him at the flea market. I had sent photos of this device to several surveying sites but none of them could help.

[Rob H.]

I'll ask the owner what kind of metal it appears to be made from.

Thanks for the guesses, I'll add them to my list of suggestions to be forwarded on to the owners.

[Rob H.]

[hubops]

The size and taper-thread makes me think of an old insulator - telegraph / electrical / - but very weathered & worn .. burnt ? - no skirts left .. ? John T.

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[Stanley Daniel de Liver]

It would appear to be a connection on an extending rod system - the wooden poles having rotted. We had a similar set for drain unblocking, but had brass connectors. Is the "egg" piece hollow? is there place for a rod in the top of the connecting piece? If not maybe the upper part is a replaceable tip which gets damaged in use.

if solid, the "egg" part is a connector to another missing piece (I assume a rod).

[Rob H.]

I don't think that the smaller part is hollow, I'll send your comments on to the owner and see what he says. Thanks