Here are six mystery tools sent in by readers. Do you know what they are?
Answers to the August 2022 items will appear in the October 2022 issue.
Answers for new items in this issue must be received by Aug. 3, 2022.
A. Handle/holder for something. Has a metal recess with two set screws on the top. Piece measures about 2-1/2 inches wide by 7-3/4 inches long overall. No markings.
Handle used to lift the iron burners of an old-fashioned cook stove. The slots of the tool fit into the slots of the burner to lift them to check on or restock the wood for the fire. Identified by RuthAnn Ginder, Anderson, Ind. Photo submitted by Rodger Snyder, Juneau, Wis.
B. Handle measures 12 inches long, 3/4-inch round rod. Four-pronged head marked Vise Grip #W188. Nut-shaped head marked Auburn Ind. USA.
Wrench used to remove and replace steel barrel lids. Identified by Nick Caldiero, Afton, N.Y., and Joe Kolar, Fenton, Mich.
“This is used to open the caps on 55-gallon drums (also, smaller gallonage drums),” Joe says. “The hexagon end showing in picture is for the smaller vent bung, the other end would be for the larger bung. You would take that cap (bung) out and put a gate valve or spout in to be able to pour liquids out of drums. That’s an older-style bung wrench. They work well. I have used them.” Photo submitted by Wayne Rogers, Corsicana, Texas.
C. Tool measures 7 inches by 4 inches. No markings.
Tool for cutting and bending wire; band cutter used to cut and remove wire ties from bundles of grain before threshing. The band cutter snips the wire and grasps one end so that it can be pulled free from the bundle. Identified by Nick Caldiero. See Patent No. 214,943. Photo submitted by Dale and Edward Scheid, Monroeville, Ohio.
D. Machine found in old machine shop. Has three spark plugs but no wiring. Measures about 2 feet by 2 feet. Marked Gears and Forgings.
Unidentified. Photo submitted by Ronald Hoffman, Glen Easton, W. Va.
E. Measures 47 inches and is 3/8 by 2 inches thick. Span of inside curves – which are sharpened – measures about 32 inches. One bolt hole on the left and two on the right.
Charles Anderson, Hickory, Ky., believes it to be a drum brake adjustment tool. To adjust drum brakes, either end of the tool is inserted through a slot in the backing plate and used to engage the star wheel, to rotate it to move the shoes out to “tighten” the brakes, or in to enable pulling the drum off. One end of the tool is sometimes bent or twisted to help the tool clear obstructions. Photo submitted by Jim DeKam, Ruthton, Minn.
F. No information provided.
Richard Bader, Middletown, N.Y., believes this to be a pneumatic tire tool used to loosen tire beads from the wheel rim. Photo submitted by Erwin Fullerton, S. Woodstock, Vt.
To submit photos:
Send prints to Farm Collector, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609. Send digital images to editor@farmcollector.com.
- Photos should be taken in a well-lit area against a plain background. Include dimensions and any markings on the piece. We cannot guarantee every photo will be published, nor can we respond to inquiries regarding when photos will be published. No photos will be returned.
- Digital photos should be sent as .jpgs at a minimum of 300 dpi.
To identify an item:
Send answers (with your name and address) to Farm Collector, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609. Email responses may be sent to editor@farmcollector.com.
Answers for new items shown in this issue must be received by Aug. 3, 2022.
