What is it? XC

#513: For measuring distances in maps. I liked to play with thatone. Thanks for the reminder. #516: LeCorbusier / Norman Foster architectural model #517: A multi-tool. Like the Leathermans. #518: for compacting something (clay) #519: Hahaha! This must be for rockers. A ring that also can open beer bottles. #520: A gauge for making barrels?

Nick

I have a #517 around here somewhere... it a little folding 'Key' knife screwdriver gimmick.

It has to be the most dangerous thing I've ever seen! When opened to use the screwdriver/s, the razor sharp partially serrated knife blade becomes the handle proper. It gives me the creeps every time I see it.

Got it as a gift a few years ago, and almost tossed it when I got a good look at it... then realized no one would ever believe how stupid the design is if they didn't get see one in person.

Saw them carded by the thousand one day on point of purchase displays around the registers at Fry's Electronics... $10 or $11 bucks IIRC.

Erik

515 : A map distance measurer. 518 : I think a shuffel board push stick, (thingy) ...lew...

520. Lobster gage used to measure from the eye socket to the back of the carapace. This particular gage is not legal anymore - the minimum carapace length has been 3-1/4" along the entire northeast coast for some time now. 5" is the maximum here in ME, I'm not sure if that's true in all states.

Ned Simmons

I've still got the one I used for sports car rallying back in the 60s. I remembered the technical name was Opsiometer and tried to check my memory, but the closest hit I got was for an optometrist's gadget for measuring distances.

But I did run into this mind blowing wristwatch with a "map Measurer" built right in:

Jeff

Now this is handy! Imagine a pilot checking a distance on the map while flying. Without taking the watch off! White Knuckle Airways, anyone?

Nick

516 = traffic light housing, viewed from the rear.

#518 is a tamper.

Hi,

515 Distance on a map measuring device. 516 I have seen syrofoam packing that looks like thiese items 517 Slotted / Phillips screwdriver that clips to a key chain 518 ??? 519 Batman ring 520 It looks a bit like hinge hardware, but the stamped length argues for it being a gauge of some kind.

As always this is enjoyable.

Thanks Roger

Mike Berger wrote:

Ahh, it looks like it hinges. Must be a roachclip.

Sure, it makes a good clip :) But I personally prefer this one (in black):

It "comes in handy on the road and at home!".

It looks more like an ice spud to me.

I did a search on ice spud and most references that I found mentioned that it was used as a chisel.

Another possibility is that it could be a sand rammer, used for compacting a sand base by a stone paver. But those usually weigh 25 pounds or more and this one isn't near that heavy, but still it looks like it was used for tamping or compacting.

Rob

If that worries you, don't fly in a small plane. Particularly not in mountainous areas. The pilot plotting his course on charts spread out on the right-hand front seat might disturb you.

How about a tamping tool for fence posts? When we put in wooden posts using an auger-type post hole digger, there was about 1/2 to 1" of space around the post into which the fill had to be packed. In our case, we used the steering rod from an old Model T, but I suspect that there aren't a whole lot of those around anymore :-) It may be that what you have was a custom home-made tool for such a purpose.

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough +--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

It looks like some sort of tamping tool to me, too. But I also wonder if its some sort of metalworking tool....for some reason, I get this mental image of this being used to reach into narrow spaces to provide a backing to hammer rivets against or something. Possibly in a gutter?

How heavy is the head?

Or maybe this is a tool to turn a switch on an overhead fan, like that mystery item from a few months back? ;-)

--humunculus

On Thu, 24 Nov 2005 09:18:31 GMT, "R.H." scribbled:

From wreck.wooddorking

515. I have one of those, used for measuring distances on maps. Just roll it along your course/path, and it will give the distance. this one is food for only one scale map, mine has a number of scales on it for topo maps (1:25,000, 1:50,000 & 1:250,000).

515. nubs on flooring?

Luigi Replace "nonet" with "yukonomics" for real email address

On Thu, 24 Nov 2005 09:18:31 GMT, "R.H." scribbled:

from rec.woodworking.

I just remembered what his one is:

520. A gauge for measuring the size of lobsters to ensure they are within legal limits (or is it crabs).

Luigi Replace "nonet" with "yukonomics" for real email address