Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [identify-a-tool]

Questions about identifying a tool or item.

Wherever possible, please include clean, clear and well lit photos of the tool.

If the tool was found in a toolbox, a photo of other tools in the same area may be enlightening because people keep related tools together.

When photos aren't available, please describe the overall shape, size, weight, any wording that is on the item, and where you got it. Also saying what it resembles and how it differs from that could be useful

Descriptions of how you saw a tool being used are good too, for example "plumber used this weird sideways spanner to access the tap's nut" could be a Crow's Foot.

79 questions
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What is this tool used for?

I can’t figure out what this old tool is. Does anyone know?
Honey
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21
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4 answers

What is this tool called and what is it used for?

Can anyone tell me what these are used for? I have a full set that was handed down. There is NO edge on these at all for cutting and they are too light of a gauge to be snips.
Mark
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What is this measuring tool with two sliding rods for?

I was going though my dad's and his dad's tools and found this tool. The two iron pins can go up and down and be locked by the screws. Is it a measuring tool? How do you use it?
cindy
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6 answers

What is the point of this double-ended spanner?

QUESTION: Just, why ? I was exploring a local swap meet and found this. For the life of me I cannot figure out why one would need an adjustable spanner at each end. I mean it's ADJUSTABLE and having two on the same handle means you can't tighten a…
Criggie
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14
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7 answers

What is an adjustable wrench fit for tightening bolts?

The other day I saw a plumber tighten a bolt with what looked like an adjustable wrench. But it seemed like he didn't need to take it off the bolt every time to turn it further. Rather, it looked like the wrench's jaws were non parallel, or perhaps…
ispiro
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14
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1 answer

What is this trowel-shaped tool with a surrounding grate?

It’s triangular with a thick solid 3 legged base, multiple flat wired blades (possibly blades), has a handle, and the rear legs are slightly higher than the front leg.
JamG4
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13
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3 answers

What kind of pliers are these?

I saw these pliers being abused for something they’re probably not meant for. What are these pliers actually for, and what do you call them?
Philipp
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13
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Tool Identity and Use

I'm hoping someone can identify this hand tool. Here is what I do know: It was made by Stanley It may be something used with sheet metal or maybe Wire? It would only be used on the edge of the metal. It doesn't seem to be used to nibble as it…
jlaurenza
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Why is this bolt's thread the way it is?

I scavenged an old bolt from an interior office remodel, and it is odd. The thread appears to be triple-start BUT two of the three are milled off. Shaft is 11.8mm and appears to be galvanised but the missing threads are shiny so appear to be trimmed…
Criggie
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What's the name of this type of screwdriver that turns when pushed?

In this video of "Breaking Bad", beginning at 0:21, Mike uses what looks like a Phillips screwdriver, but presses the tool to turn the screw. I always wanted one of these; what's the name of this type of tool?
Marceloawq
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Found an old tool - What is it?

I found this with a bunch of other old tools. This is the only one I can't figure out what it is. I wonder if it's a home made tool for some unique purpose. Or maybe it was just for made for fun out of random available parts. Or was this something…
PJS1987
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11
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1 answer

Plastic Rod in Bathtub Drain

I'm a new homeowner of a 7 year old house. The bathtub has a drain plug that pops up. I unscrewed it and pulled out 7 years of hair (it seemed like). But to my surprise, this long orange rod also came out. It's plastic and the yellow end seems…
Scott
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11
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2 answers

What is this square metal plate with a handle?

Found this piece of equipment (?) left behind by a previous owner and am trying to figure out what it was used for. It's a thin, square metal plate with rounded edges. It's maybe 14 by 14 inches. On the bottom is a piece of wood shaped as a handhold…
Bear
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What are these plastic rods and crimps under my couch cushion and can they be replaced?

One side of our couch sinks in way too much. I really don't want to fork a money for a new couch right now, so thought I'd see if I could fix it. I flipped it over and underneath I found that 3 plastic rods that run horizontally ( circled in red in…
Frank
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Can You Help Identify This Tool? Assuming It's 1800s!

My grandfather was gifted this tool and we're trying to identify what it is. It has no unique markings other than the portion where engraved "US." It has a rivet on it, and that's as far as we know regarding facts. We assume 1800s, based on the…
Angelina
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