August 2016 Mystery Tool A
Vegetable chopper, typically used in large wooden bowl. Blade cutting edges are rounded to match bowl’s contours. Identified by Royle Bailard, Alto, Mich.; Bob Wittersheim, Saline, Mich.; Jim Glascock, Cedar Grove, Ind.; Robert Scholz, Elmo, Mo.; Linda Star, Corsica, S.D.; Scott E. Allen, Ephrata, Pa.; Mike Moller, Palo Cedro, Calif.; Donald
Shively, Celina, Ohio; and John S. Rauth, Ridgely, Md. See patent no. 500,695 for a similar piece, one from which this piece may have evolved. Photo submitted by David Ruark, Pomeroy, Wash.
Patent no. 500,695: Vegetable chopper. Patent granted to Chauncey Burdett, Groton, N.Y., assignor to Hiram G. Moe, Groton, July 4, 1893.
August 2016 Mystery Tool B
Valve lapper/grinder, used to grind valves for internal combustion engines. Identified by Royle Bailard; Roger Pavlis, Hudson, Wis.; Steve Sylvester, Centuria, Wis.; Richard
Hines, South Charleston, Ohio; Gailey Henderson, Williamstown, W. Va.; Vern Notestine, Frankenmuth, Mich.; Tom Sterrett, Paxico, Kan.; Charles Asmussen, Trappe, Md.; Jim Glascock; John Gruman, Raymond, Iowa; Bob Zvacek, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Denny Schleicher, Roscoe, Ill.; Ronald Young, Madison, Ind.; Alan Duffield, Browns Valley, Minn.; Willard Ottman, Lemmon, S.D.; and John S. Rauth, Ridgely, Md. See patent no. 1,155,489 for a similar piece. Photo submitted by Al Fortney, Clarkston, Wash.
Patent no. 1,155,489: Valve grinder. Patent granted to Christian F. Hess, Chicago, assignor to Alexander Nelson, Chicago, Oct. 5, 1915.
August 2016 Mystery Tool C
Flint & Walling well pump pipe puller. Identified by Gary Southall, Ripley, W. Va.; Larry F. Whitesell, Tipton, Ind.; Robert Scholz; Bob Zvacek; Nick Cerbo, Parasippany, N.J.;
Willard Ottman, Lemmon, S.D.; and John S. Rauth, Ridgely, Md. “The tool was positioned directly over the well casing,” Bob says. “The piece connected to the pump handle held a piece with a U-shaped notch in the side that, when slipped on the pipe, gripped the pipe on the down stroke of the pump handle. By pushing down on the pump handle, the pipe would be raised. When the pump handle was lifted, a pipe wrench-type jaw gripped the pipe and held it while the U-shaped piece slid down the pipe and re-gripped it to allow the process to be repeated. Eventually, by disconnecting lengths of pipe, you had the pump out of the well. Photo submitted by Max Fannon, St. Joseph, Mo.
August 2016 Mystery Tool D
Possible waffle grates. Identified by John S. Rauth, Ridgely, Md. Photo submitted by Erwin Fullerton, S. Woodstock, Vt.
August 2016 Mystery Tool E
Horse harness using a yoke supported beneath the horses, connected by short traces to the hames, serving for the connection of the draftchain between the horses. By dispensing with use of ordinary traces, control of plows became much easier and injury to shrubbery and trees was minimized. Identified by Royle Bailard; Howard Olson, Pigeon Falls, Wis.; Bob Zvacek; Gary Southall; Robert Scholz; Gailey Henderson; Linda Star; Nick Cerbo; Jim Glascock; Alan Duffield; and Willard Ottman, Lemmon, S.D. See patent no. 309,317. Photo submitted by Erwin Fullerton, S. Woodstock, Vt.
Image courtesy Gary Southall, Ripley, W. Va.
Patent no. 309,317: Harness. Patent granted to Allen Sherwood, Auburn, N.Y., Dec. 16, 1884.
August 2016 Mystery Tool F
Unidentified. Photo submitted by William Rudicil, West Harrison, Ind.
