MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Stanley]

You're right in that it's under the ground but that's about all..... Sorry!

[Steeplejerk]

Chimney flue,Ellenroad !!

[Stanley]

Trust a jack to get it! He's right, it is the main flue after we rebuilt it completely. The red bricks are commons because the bottom part of the flue doesn't get too hot. The lighter colour bricks are firebrick. Big job, they were in terrible condition, everyone has forgotten how much work we put in there....
Now I will have to think up another puzzle for you...

[Stanley]

You lot have me under pressure! I'm sat here racking my brains. Try this one and Ian, keep stumm because I think you'll know immediately. (And yes, I'm desperate!)

[David Whipp]

It's a disposable remote sensor for testing stove flue temperature (unused - you can tell because it's still white).

[Stanley]

Sorry, No. Ian will be champing at the bit. Give them a chance ......

[David Whipp]

Ah, a clue! "Champing".

A device for retrieving broken bottom gobblers that have dropped down the loo?

Or an aerial?

[Stanley]

Shall we give it to him Ian?
Hold the fort while I think of another one....

[Tripps]

Is it an aerial for a Sony radio perhaps?

[Stanley]

You've got it of course....
I shall have to think of another one unless someone else can help me out! It ain't easy......

[Stanley]

[Marilyn]

Sundial clock?

[Bodger]

lightening conductor

[EileenDavid]

Weathervane Eileen

[David Whipp]

Agree with Bodge...

[Stanley]

More precisely it's an air terminal from the lightning conductor on Bancroft stack. Now superseded by coronal bands. A little known fact is that the early air terminal spikes had platinum tips as it was believed this made them more efficient. Did you know that holly bushes used to be planted near houses to attract lightning to the spikes on the leaves? Long held to be an old wive's tale but research showed that there was some scientific basis to it. Try this one, exact description please....

[Gloria]

A tool for a lathe with various removable carbide tips.... is that exact enough??

[Stanley]

Curse you Gloria! The only thing you could have added is that it's for cutting screw threads. You amaze me!
Now I will have to start thinking (agonising) again. Try this. yes it's a vernier gauge but what's unusual about it?

[Bodger]

there are no locking screws , is it self locking
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... hieber.jpg

[Gloria]

Yeeeesss

[Stanley]

Correct Bodge but that isn't the big difference that makes this vernier quite rare.

[Marilyn]

Derrrr....I know....it is quite rare because it is the only one in the world with Stanley's fingerprints on it.

No idea what it is or what it does...is it for left handed users?

[Stanley]

That's a good thought Maz, it must be awkward for Lefties to use the ordinary vernier. I saw a shop in LA once that catered solely for Southpaws.... No, you haven't got it yet but it is quite difficult.....

[Bodger]

Dual reading ?

[David Whipp]

Each side measures independently of the other. The scales are offset. The instrument measures different sections (and thicknesses) of material at each side. Not a clue what!