What is it? Set 538

Larger images:

Rob

Steve

3140 : Third Hand Tool, for adjusting bicycle brakes.

3142 : Router Tip.

Hmm, so this was wrong but I've definitely seen these before too. I don't think it simply and incense burner.......No, this one has got my brain ticking.

3142 - Bitstock reamer

Some years ago, I inherited one.... and 2 smaller wider angled ones I've us ed for tapering screw holes. I've never been presented with a hole to be r eamed with the larger one, nor can I think of a specific woodworking applic ation. I don't suppose it should be used on metal applications.

What might be specific woodworking application(s) the large reamer be used for?

Sonny

At 2 1/8 diameter, that's some big kind of cap nut. And why the decorative engraving?

Certainly it can be used for metal work. You think braces were limited to wood. A good reamer is perfect for a brace. Good for sheet metal work, enlarging a hole. Good for putting a taper on aluminum block. Aluminum is a grabby medium for machines.. The slow cutting of the brace would allow it to be cleaned better, and it would prevent galling to some degree... with the proper aluminum cutting oil of course, not the same as normal cutting oil.

It's rather large but 3141 looks like its one of those decorative nuts that hold down a toilet to the floor.

-bruce snipped-for-privacy@ripco.com

Running an analysis...

My first guess is that 3143 was a production line quality control counter mounted to a small run or slow production line.

Both buttons have red residue on them. The angle of the buttons suggest automation.

Counter A counts all the objects on the line up to that point.

Counter B counts remaining objects that pass by.

Between the two, someone or some contrivance pushes or drops damaged, underweight overweight or otherwise out of spec items off the conveyor.

The difference between the two counters gives a quality control tally.

Possibility B...

A counter that goes up to 999,999 and some poor sod with red paint on his hands had to push the buttons.

Correct, I think I posted one of these a couple years ago, someone just sent me this photo so I decided to go ahead and repost it.

No one has guessed the right answer for it yet, I'm not sure if this is a reproduction or an original, but these were used until the early 1800s.

Correct

I don't know the exact reason these were mounted in wood but lap counters sounds like a good use for them.

Another good sounding guess but I don't know if we'll ever get a verifiable answer for this one.

Not since the early 1800s? A fishing bait (cricket) canister? A queen bee canister?

Sonny