When you find an item you’ve never seen before, the first thing you’re going to ask is something along the lines of “what is this thing?” And of course, you’re going to want answers , too.
That’s what happened to these people. They asked about these things, and to their surprise , they got the deets. It’s amazing how many people on the internet know such random facts.
“Small metal cups, marked with ‘2,’ ‘3,’ and ‘3.’ Look pretty beat up, maybe have been hammered on. Keys for scale.”
Reddit user Neat-Pumpkin8718 was really excited because they knew the answer to this mystery.
They’re for setting grommets: “You would put the canvas on a cutting mat and use the cutter to cut the hole. Then put the die underneath with the male portion facing up, put the punch in, hit with hammer.”
“Solid Metal Object with Hole Through Side.”
This is the same person who asked about the grommet setting bits. Funny enough, I don’t think this item is related.
According to Reddit user upperwinds, “It looks like a bottom die for a press brake (Metal bending machine).”
“Ferrous metal object, round with holes, threaded thing, word ‘HOPE’ and ‘4’ on it. Keychain with cm for scale.”
A few different reddit commenters chimed in, thinking this was some kind of old electrical box. Redditor GitEmSteveDave even provided a link that shows the exact item! What a cool coincidence.
“A pop can cut in half then put back together, with holes punched into the bottom as well as around the edge. Maybe 2” thick, found on my property. I have not tried to open it yet.”
Apparently, there are a lot of people who frequent Reddit who are also avid campers and backpackers. They all knew that this thing was a makeshift penny stove, which can be used to create a very small amount of fire and heat. Perfect for when you don’t have access to an actual stove.
“What is this cast-iron contraption with cage and magnifying glass?”
A few different comments identified this thing as an orchid magnifier. Apparently, people have posted pictures of things like this before in the past, and I guess the internet has a very good memory.
“Found on an office desk at work, made from plastic with some soft/slightly padded sections.”
Reddit user BmanUltima knew this one right away. “It’s the mount portion for some Logitech cameras like the Logitech 4K Pro,” they wrote. Given the fact that it was found in an office (where people would have webcams), makes sense.
“3.5” by 2” steel shaped L, possibly naval tool.”
Reddit user 86bowie gave a really good explanation: “It’s a drill sharpening gauge, the indications on the angled side is for checking lip length on the drill bit, and also verifies that drill bit has been ground concentrically and not eccentric.”
So I guess it isn’t a naval tool.
“About 8″ tall, 5.5″ wide. Pottery. Owl front, jaguar back?”
A few different Reddit users knew what this thing was, but didn’t really give it a name. In any case, it’s a jug used to hold water or other liquids; it fills up from the bottom, and the shape keeps water from leaking out. Then you just pour from the spout like normal.
“All metal. The middle thing spins. No markings at all. Harder metal (not easy to bend). Slightly larger then my large open hand. Possible automotive use.”
This is an incredibly specific thing (not automotive related) that very few people probably know. Luckily, though, Redditor phraca knew what this thing was. It’s the “Symbol of Ochosi. Not clear what functional purpose it has.”
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Either way, I’m impressed.
“Metal with (possibly) handle and sharp circular serrated edge (spoon for size). No branding on it.”
A lot of commenters seemed to think this was a biscuit cutter, but it looks like it’s a general food chopper. Which can also be used for biscuits, it seems. So, like, everyone was right.
“What are these plastic round rings on a handle, comes in different sizes?”
Reddit user itiag999 identified these funny-looking things as fruit scoopers. They’re kind of like melon ballers, but bigger. And they can be used to scoop pretty much any fruit, it seems, so that’s pretty cool.
“What is this thing – brown/orangey glass. Approximately 2cm in thickness. Pyramid shaped upper piece and rectangular bottom piece. Square hole in the bottom. No markings.”
Sometimes, the simple answer is the right one. In this case, Reddit user Squidiot_002 guessed that it was some kind of candle holder, and they were right! Nice and simple.
“Steel bolt, probably stainless, with a tiny hole drilled through head. Keychain with cm for scale.”
Unsurprisingly, the bolt is just a bolt. The hole on the end, though, is pretty interesting. According to several Reddit commenters, it’s for safety or lock wire, which is used to keep bolts in place.
“Large pressed tin item with fastener.”
I would’ve just thought it was a fancy wall decoration, but apparently it’s a bit more than that.
Reddit user andersonfmly said: “I found this wall sconce with what appears to be a near identical item, referring to it as an 18th century church ornament. Not a ton of help, but perhaps a start.” It kind of looks identical to this thing (minus the candles), which means it’s right!
“Plastic board with numbers 1-13 on both sides and plastic clips hanging from it. Zip-tied to a lamppost in a park in between two empty patches of gravel.”
This seemingly random thing has a seemingly random purpose. According to breezy1900 on Reddit, it’s a scorecard for a bocce ball game. Ah yes, a sport I’ve totally played before.
“What is this little orange plastic thing?”
I swear, the amount of times people ask what a thing is, only for it to be vape related is astounding. According to a couple different Reddit user, this thing is used to fill the chamber of a vape pen. Literally who would’ve guessed it?
“Measuring stick with 16 different scales. Around a yard long and inch wide.”
According to Reddit user jackrats, this thing is called a lumber rule. It’s basically just an antique ruler that’s thicker. I’m guessing it’s used to measure a lot more things than your standard school ruler.
“Strange crop circle looking things in the ground in central Texas. Lots of oil and gas in the area, but what are these circles?”
There were a few different theories flying around, but when Reddit user ConanTheGalactic said that it “Definitely looks like a decommissioned tank farm,” that stuck. And it ended up being (most likely) right!
“Metal, maybe aluminum, open and tapered with a hook on it.”
If you’ve ever tapped maple sap in your life, these things might be familiar to you. They’re called spiles, and they’re used to get sap out of trees. The Reddit comments were very confident about this, and they were right.
“British World War I brooch. Metal, a few inches long, and relatively hefty.”
I’m glad people know military things, because I sure don’t! Reddit user furiousrichie said, “It’s a Majors rank insignia, it would sit on the epaulette, the pin goes on the underside.” That’s cool!
