What is this thing?

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Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.

Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you've got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let's see how we do. Please prefix such posts with "CHALLENGE:" so we know we've got a fighting chance.

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submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by cyberslask@lemmy.world to c/whatisthisthing@lemmy.world
 
 

Saw this stencil on the back of a taxi in Oslo, Norway this morning. Reverse image search did not come up with anything …

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Wanted to see if I could track down where this fabric came from. Haven’t been able to find much outside of a single Etsy listing for a similar piece of fabric. I believe I’ve had it since before 2005 if that helps.

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Is this what I think it is? A swingers flag? They were also Shriners so there's a chance it's related to that

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I got this shirt along with several others from an estate sale of a 70 year Canadian guy from Ottawa. I tried googling "brigade" and "PNP" and haven't had much luck, but my guess currently is that this guy has something to do with the Philippine National Police? The previous owner was not Filipino

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Just curious what this is? Spotted in suburban northeast US. Didn’t see anything wlse like it around but maybe I just missed them.

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I regret not getting clearer pictures to zoom in and see the words on the instruments but I felt the need to be discreet as I was just walking by, these ocean-front home garages are rarely/NEVER left open unattended. What is this mystery chamber?

One more different angle picture in the comments, you can see the seating bench in the chamber.

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There was a huge explosion yesterday in Tennessee at plant that made explosive material for the military and industrial projects. https://www.newsweek.com/tennessee-explosion-update-no-survivors-found-at-volatile-scene-10865405

Video from a news chopper on the scene right after the explosion shows what looks like green almost glowing debris on the ground https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPooHZbDiee/

Any idea what it is?

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Question is directed towards the engineers and machinists here. I think this is primarily a system designed to keep the clamping faces parallel, and perhaps there is some kind of bushing or shoulder bolt.

more context
I know a typical screw and nut in a pair of scissors will not align the blades well enough. I want to understand what kinds of hand finishing processes might be used to remedy the alignment problem. Like is this pictured example using a wave or crush washer to compensate for the alignment variation induced by the thread helix and pitch clearance, or something else likely going on? Does this kind of fastener have a name? Is there a more general variant with wrench flats on both sides or does this design typically require a more involved tooling to create?

In other words I want to have an abstract understanding of the entry point, nuances of application, and investment required to incorporate the design into other DIY type projects. For (a rough) instance, I have run into similar issues with the alignment of optics such as with image sensors.

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I feel like I knew what this thing was right up until I had one. Two tool id site had no idea, and one said it's a ball joint separator, but I can't find any that look like this, and I swear I've seen them in stores, but can't remember where.

Maybe a type of bearing press?

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Recently purchased a refurbished FZ-55 Toughbook and it has this black metal square securely attached to the back side of the screen. What is this thing?

I tried prying on it a bit to see if it's stuck on with adhesive tape but it is firmly attached. Either screwed in or adhered with epoxy. I don't want to break it off if it is useful.

I asked the seller and he had no clue despite running a shop reselling heavy duty laptops.

Nothing I've seen online of other Toughbooks have this. I am assuming someone expoxy glued a metal RFID tag or tracking card to it. Similar to Tile. I have tried reverse image searching the card, as well as the logo without any real results.

Can anyone identify this or perhaps recommend a way to scan it if it is a RFID tracker or asset management device of some sorts.

Thanks 🙂

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This group of formally dressed men at a cafe each had a book, two of them are pictured here. Any idea what books they are?

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I assume it has something to do with grounding, but I've never seen this before, so I'm curious of its function and need on a particular pole.

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Never seen a bug like this, it has wings too

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Sorry I couldn't take more pics.

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Made in Japan. Will include underside stamp in comments. No other markings. It was an odd thing in a box and I am curious to find out more. All of my searching left me with no information on this piece. Not trying to sell, just curious.

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There is a long, thin, rubber-y line wrapped around/connected to the water line pictured below.

Other angle:

The piece in question is loosely hanging via a zip tie on my main water line about shoulder height and can be moved up/down easily.

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Trying to figure out what this kid's toy from the dentist is. I tried to look for it online and the only thing that looked similar was a fidget toy/spring like this:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/48-Tiny-Pearl-Plastic-Spring-Toy-Sensory-Fidget-Toy-Party-Favors-Goody-Bags-Rewards-Prizes-Bulk-4-Dozen/358773085

Except this is just a solid piece of plastic. I thought maybe it just needed to be pulled apart, but it broke in half when I tried.

Maybe it's a spring that somehow fused together? No idea what else it could possibly be.

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Doensn't look like he moth larvae pictures I found online. Looks a bit similar to the larvae of a Dermestidae. But still not sure.

Sorry for the low quality picture. It's hard to make macro images.

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Yes, it's a lamp. But what on earth is this center hoop thing for? Is something supposed to hang here?

My wife says it was purely for decoration but... just shoving a hoop above the lights? Why not a bird or something?

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It was making a rattling noise as the pokey bits on the top made contact with the tire (while turning sharply to the right)

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I know WHAT it is, but I dont know why it exists, what use it has, or where it may have come from. All sides are identical, its translucent green. The pips are scalloped, not painted on, and are otherwise unremarkable. Help me out here, its definitely my favorite d6, but I am struggling to figure out a purpose for a +5 dice.

...I mean, aside from that I need a +5 weapon, clearly.

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I have never seen this before. I have no idea what it's for.
Any idea?

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submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by Lauchmelder@feddit.org to c/whatisthisthing@lemmy.world
 
 

Its from a 1890s secretary drawer. The shape is reminiscent of a warded key, except it has this pin at the top that I have never seen in a lock. The key would have to have a corresponding hole, which no modern warded key I know of has.

Where can I get a key like this and what is it called?

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Hopefully I am in the right place for this, but I need help identifying a wine glass in the hopes of finding one like it. It had a dark rose glass and while I can find some of similar color, I can’t seem to find one with the plant like stem that matches. Unfortunately to the top shattering, I don’t have a good picture of it whole.

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