At lot can be said for asking total strangers for help. Sure, it doesn’t always work out. But when it comes to something as simple as identifying a weird object, you’re usually golden.
You probably already guessed it, but these people found some weird things, and got some answers thanks to the internet crowd. I’m always amazed by how people know so many things.
“Green Build Up in Water Boiler.”
No, it isn’t mold or anything else to worry about. One quick look and even I could tell you that it’s hard water/mineral buildup. That’s why you’re supposed to clean kettles and water heaters with vinegar every once in a while.
“Made of Clay Found in Old House Print That Looks “Rolled” In.”
See, I would’ve thought this thing was some kind of fancy spoon rest, even though that literally makes no sense. Luckily, a couple of different Reddit users commented on the original post, saying that it’s a pipe stand. I’d probably listen to them over me in this case.
“A foot in length, wooden handle, 2 steel shafts holding a 4 inch length of solid copper tapering to a point. Stamped into the copper is a number 3, and the text ‘Lake Superior.'”
Reddit user jackrats was the first one to identify this item as an old soldering iron. Who would’ve thought the right answer was as easy as that?
“12” in diameter wooden bowl-like disk with 6 avocado-shaped spaces.”
Reddit user tannergd1 was quick with the right answer, saying that this thing is a “Cobbler’s nail cup.” In other words, it’s a cup that a cobbler (a fancy word for a shoemaker) would use to hold nails.
“My friend found this small piece of metal at his bus stop and it seems to have come off of something, the black bar coming out of it is slightly Malleable but the silver piece is solid.”
“Looks like a lock back knife mechanism,” Reddit user GitEmSteveDave commented. Basically, it would be for one of those switchblade/pocket knife things. Seriously, who can just look at a thing like this and know that?
“Unknown plastic/hard rubber item. One has a hole through while the other doesn’t.”
Once again, someone found the right answer, and it ended up being something incredibly specific. This time, it was Redditor gn_like_lasagna, who chimed in by saying, “Looks like this base part for some karate training equipment?” The internet is such a powerful place.
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“Plastic ‘key’ with flat head and hex components.”
Sometimes, you just happen to know exactly what a thing is because you used the same one recently. Reddit user StumpyPigeon had some experience with this item, saying, “It’s for assembling Ikea sinks. Source: I just assembled an Ikea sink.” OP was doing renovations recently, so it checks out.
“Found in old science lab drawer. Made by ace glass inc. has a 10mL basin and very tiny tubes. Water barely fits in.”
According to Redditor lobstah, it’s something called a pycnometer. According to Science Direct, a pycnometer is a device that’s used to measure density for both different kinds of liquids and gases. It’s a chemistry thing, I guess.
“Changing my tires, it’s red rusty coloured and when I touch it, feels greasy.”
Reddit user jackrats identified the stuff as “Copper anti-seize grease,” and user hmd2017 elaborated by saying that it “keeps things from rusting together.” Nothing like a collaboration to get the job done.
“Wall fixture with broom details and curled base, relatively flat (possibly ruling out function as a hook?) and about three inches tall.”
A few different commenters knew exactly what this thing is. It’s a trivet, A.K.A one of those things you put hot bowls and pots and stuff on so that they don’t burn your table.
“Found it in a toolbox and don’t know what it is, or what it’s for. The black part is solid metal that is the same shape as a hair curler, and the red coverings on the handles spin freely.”
Believe it or not, this actually is an antique hair curling iron. Reddit user lost_magpie had some info on how it was used :
“You put it in a little oven heater… and the spinning handles are to do what’s called figure 6 curls where you roll the handles around without turning the wrist.”
“Object is 7.5” and came in leather case. Reads ‘Minox’ and ‘made in Germany’ at ball joint. Unscrews into 3 sections at base.”
Reddit user jackrats (who’s always just finding things, like every single day) figured out that this thing is an ultra compact tripod. I feel like something like that would be pretty useful to have around.
“Clamp/plier tool, about 5.25 inches long, marked P.S & W GUARANTEED NO 74.”
There were several Reddit commenters on the original post who identified this tool as pincers or nippers, which are used to clip all sorts of things. Yet another mystery solved!
“Some kind of lens found in my apartment. Set of two. Only lettering is ‘B.’ What is this for?”
Reddit user Kirenus was able to figure out exactly what this particular lens is used for. It’s for an Oculus Rift VR device, which is honestly so specific and unexpected.
“4cm long. Made of some sort of metal/brass… Tip of it is black, small and round, almost like the tip of a pen. At the bottom it got a small round hole, and around the hole it got stamped ‘9 M 6,’ ‘R I 0 5.'”
A few people commented with some good guesses, but OP ended up finding the answer on a different forum. It’s a thermostat regulator.
“Is this a toy of some kind? It’s yellow, shaped sort of like a top, and has a string.”
Reddit user gn_like_lasagna found out that this thing is, in fact, some kind of toy. They even commented with a link for this gyro toy. Talk about being good at finding things.
“Bronze metallic spinning cube on metal rod. They don’t come off and I don’t know where I got them. They have dots that look like dots on die, but don’t do anything other than spin.”
According to Reddit user timlwhite, it’s a random number generator. I didn’t even know those things existed outside of computer programs and phone apps.
“About 4″ high. Lever lifts up and can be unwound from cylinder which is leather covered and has a company name on it. Made in England.”
A few people thought it might be an expanding cork, but OP confirmed it doesn’t expand at all.
Reddit user bingley777 identified this thing as a “bottle stopper, possibly for wine/port but more likely a personal decanter.” They also went on to explain it a little:
“Not expanding which makes sense if it’s decanting; leather is gentle on glass (when you’d throw away wine bottles, you wouldn’t your decanter), also a bit too big for wine bottles.”
“These tiny clear blobs in this Nutella jar.”
I’m really hoping this is some kind of oil buildup and not, like, bug eggs or something.
Luckily, the few Reddit comments on the original post almost all agreed that it’s oil or fat that separated from the rest of the stuff. Crisis averted.
“Old metal jaws. With non-threaded holes. Used as a vise?”
According to Reddit user brndave8550, “It’s a MD1025 -A New Original Knife Clip For A McCormick-Deering No. 4, Big No. 4 Mower.” Once again, I’m amazed that someone could find such a specific item so quickly.
