I found this when I was cleaning out my painting supply toolbox:
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
I remember buying it. I was at a Real Rail train show in Sarasota. I was very enthusiastic about it, and thought it would be a great problem-solver.
Unfortunately, I have forgotten what it is.
It must be for painting because I put it in with the painting supplies. However, I cannot figure out what it could possibly be for.
Does anyone have an idea?
-Kevin
Living the dream.
how big is it?
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Hello All,
Think it is a tool for spiking handlaid track, the middle openings for marking center line, the side opening for spikes at the outsides of the rails ?
Better to be roughly right, than to be exactly wrong...
And when you do what you did, you'll get what you got!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Well it rather resembles a lightweight 'attitude adjuster' one might find in an 'ole school' principle's office. However,
Id rather think it was for painting wheel sets (faces and flanges).
I highly doubt either is correct. In that case, its definately a double-sided 4-way beer bottle opener.
I'm just glad to see I'm not the only one who buys tools then can't remember what they are for later!
Good Luck, Morpar
Isn't this for painting wheel sets? On 2nd thought, I think those were U-shaped...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Fantastic. Just like Mr Pete on YouTube. He does a "What is it" episode every once in awhile. He shows tools and you guess what they are and how to use them.
Really need some more information. Put a tape measure next to it or something for scale. The way it is now, it could be six inches or a foot long.
Pete.
wrench567Really need some more information. Put a tape measure next to it or something for scale. The way it is now, it could be six inches or a foot long.
Next to a tape measure:
With an HO scale truck:
As you can see, the gauge of the slots does not match an HO scale track gauge.
Kevin.
I'm stumped. Low resistance paint stir stick? That's just about all I can think.
MorparI'm just glad to see I'm not the only one who buys tools then can't remember what they are for later!
It is not just train tools, I have a few tools I bought for the house, and a few special automotive tools that have become a mystery as well.
Looks to be about 1/8'' thick.
Maybe a tongue depressor?
But my first guess would be a non-motorized paint stirrer.
wrench567 Kevin. I'm stumped. Low resistance paint stir stick? That's just about all I can think. Pete.
Rich
Alton Junction
Somebody mentioned a guide for nails for hand-laid track. The slots are too wide apart for trucks, clearly, but they might be perfectly spaced for nailing outside the rails. OTOH, that's such a specific modelling application that I'd be surprised if you couldn't remember acquiring a tool for it.
-Matt
Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.
The only idea I have is asking here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Tools/comments/c9osjj/need_help_identifying_tool/
I just dont see this as a paint stir. It could be used as one, but with holes in the middle of it, I dont see that stirring much as the outside slots would.
And it looks too 'specific' to be a stir. Even looks a little too 'glorified' or 'customized' to be a stir.
Im wondering if the hole at the end isnt just to hang this thing on a nail when not used, yet as an anchor. Maybe its used to draw or paint circles of some kind.
Be a nice way to hang your brushes over a cleaning solution, or even to dry after cleaning.
And as outlandinsh as it sounds, if it was dipped in a solution of soapy water, I bet the kids could have fun with it. Not sure how this would translate into a painting application though.
It just looks like over kill for a paint stir.
Could it be for tie-dye use? Pull the shirt through the holes only enough to 'tie' them using the outer slots?
Poached egg holder for those painters ruffing it (held over a metal gallon paint can thats the heat source)?
How about a 4 brush holder, so a painter could paint 4 even lines in one stroke? I dont know what you'd call that device but you have a picture of it.
Wait, it just hit me.... its the head gasket for a 4 cylinder paint compressor. Thats gotta be it.
PM RailfanWait, it just hit me.... its the head gasket for a 4 cylinder paint compressor. Thats gotta be it.
That labeling alone would have made me buy it!
Hello again,
Come to think of it, this might be some kind of template / gauge to mark lockholes in a door, there where the doorhandle and the lock is to be inserted??
keep on guessing here...
It is a ballast distributor.
richhotrainIt is a ballast distributor.
Really? How would it work?
It could be.
Do those straight openings align with either HO scale or N scale rail?
Template for switch panel?
richhotrainDo those straight openings align with either HO scale or N scale rail?
No, they do not. They are about 3/16" wider than HO scale rail tops.
Could it serve as a drafting tool?
I'm also leaning to paint stir stick. Perhaps the holes allow air to move the paint and air arround. Is there an engineer or professional painter who can pls weigh in?
I do believe somebody with some time on their hands and a milling machine and some plastic/acrylic decided to make a paint mixing stick to look some what like the ''E-Z mix plastic mixing stick".
Evening
It's most certainly a widget stick. I'd get rid of that thing Kevin, even though they work quite well.
Most have refrained from using those over the years. It's been recognized that device has something to do with voodoo.
Much similar to the henway of the 17th century are these. The only difference is the widget stick weighs about 2 1/2 oz, where the hen weighs about 2 1/2 lbs
TF
Track fiddlerwhere the hen weighs about 2 1/2 lbs
groan.
OK, I should have asked my wife first.
She says it is a holder for small parts. It came with some cardboard strips that went through the slots, and some removable glue dots to hold the things to the cardboard.
I tried to Google it with that description, but nothing.
maxman Track fiddler where the hen weighs about 2 1/2 lbs groan.
Track fiddler where the hen weighs about 2 1/2 lbs
Your reply seems as you were quite disappointed. Can't leave it like that Dick.
There is Witching Sticks, that can be used to seek out buried lines underground.
Do you have a set of those? They are very thick copper wires bent at a 90° angle. You hold them loosely in your hands, and they cross when you walk over a buried line. Apparently they don't work for everyone.
There's more to the story, and I'll elaborate if you wish. My electrician thought they were Voodoo, finding the buried line that was the problem. They wouldn't work for him, cuz he wouldn't even give them a chance.
Been using them for years, and they've never steered me wrong.
SeeYou190 OK, I should have asked my wife first. She says it is a holder for small parts. It came with some cardboard strips that went through the slots, and some removable glue dots to hold the things to the cardboard. I tried to Google it with that description, but nothing. -Kevin
Citadel makes something similar for painting wargaming miniatures, but it uses rubber bands to hold the bases of the miniatures in place.