Question: A small metal object, fits in the palm of my hand. The gold-colored part slides up and down but can be locked in place with the adjuster screw. Found at a flea market, the vendor has no idea what it is and has had several people try to figure it out. May or may not be just a part of something.
Answer: Looks like this fountain pen holder for an embosser.
17. It’s Not What You Think It Is
Question: Scoopy Doodad was found in a junk drawer.
Answer: The classic Sunbeam Mixmaster had a juicer attachment, a bowl that attached to the top of the mixer. This is the spout the juice would pour out of. The wire part held a little strainer to filter out the pulp.
18. Built-in Cigar Holders?
Question: Sliding tray with holes on both sides of this sofa.
Answer: Tray table. It has another piece to it. It’s a tray with matching pegs. The tray goes on top and the pegs slide in. They fit together so the tray sits tightly. Then you take the tray back to the kitchen and put the sliding part back so it’s not in the way.
19. Styrofoam Secrets
Question: What are these sets of seven dimples on styrofoam?
Answer: While many plastic objects have little marks on them where the liquid plastic is injected into the mold, expanded polystyrene objects (“Styrofoam”) aren’t made this way. Instead, small granules of plastic are pre-treated with steam in a large hopper, which causes them to expand into little foam pellets.
These foam pellets are poured into the mold, and then additional steam is injected in, causing the pellets to swell even more until they completely fill the mold. The little seven-dot marks are steam injection points. You can tell the difference between expanded and extruded polystyrene because you can see the individual pellets in an expanded foam object, it has a “grainy” appearance when broken, while extruded foams are just a solid block.
20. DIY Insect Repellant
Question: Seen while walking down the street. A ziplock bag tacked above a door. Seems to contain water and a few pennies. What could this be for?
Answer: Homemade mosquito/fly deterrent. The light reflecting off the water and pennies is supposed to scare off pesky bugs.
