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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: maxwell on February 04, 2014, 12:45:58 PM

Title: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: maxwell on February 04, 2014, 12:45:58 PM
Hey, this came into our antique mall this morning, and nobody here can figure out what it is or what it is used for. Anybody happen to know?
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: maxwell on February 04, 2014, 12:47:21 PM
Another Pic
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: myracles103 on February 04, 2014, 12:59:04 PM
A method for corrugation?
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: maxwell on February 04, 2014, 01:07:06 PM
Corrugating what, though? It would have to be something pretty thin to use wood...
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: mart on February 04, 2014, 01:07:57 PM
Does the inside feel greasy or waxy ? Are the edges of the top piece sharp or flat ?
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: maxwell on February 04, 2014, 01:11:21 PM
It doesn't seem greasy at all, but it has probably been sitting unused for a very long time. The edges of the top piece are flat, just like the bottom.
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: maxwell on February 04, 2014, 01:12:46 PM
There does seem to be a slight dip in the bottom pieces though, where they have been worn down from use.
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: myracles103 on February 04, 2014, 01:14:55 PM
I would think for a piece of aluminum or tin, but it seems too small to be of much use for anything other than flashing.
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: mart on February 04, 2014, 01:16:09 PM
Well, my thought was something for soap making but looking closer I can see that might not work.  Maybe Rauville will look at this thing. He can usually find the odd items like this !!
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: gg27 on February 04, 2014, 02:02:09 PM
Not quite the same shape but similar to flax rendering machines that were used to break down the flax to get the threads for linen.  Saw them in use in New Brunswick last summer at Kings Landing.  Not sure if this is it or not but maybe a similar thing.  GG
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: maxwell on February 04, 2014, 02:40:18 PM
Hmm... that's a good idea, GG, but I don't think so. I've tried some searches on Google along those lines, and haven't found anything promising.
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: cogar on February 04, 2014, 02:52:40 PM
Not quite the same shape but similar to flax rendering machines that were used to break down the flax to get the threads for linen.  Saw them in use in New Brunswick last summer at Kings Landing.  Not sure if this is it or not but maybe a similar thing.  GG

That's exactly what I was thinking it might be only I was going to call it a "break".

It's old, made of wood and hand operated.

And, whew, I finally found a "flax break" but larger version, to wit:

http://www.frontierfreedom.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3542&sid=7285e882664be771e3fa61d5f4791bad (http://www.frontierfreedom.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3542&sid=7285e882664be771e3fa61d5f4791bad)

Ps. Maxwell's unit was surely made for "home use" by the farmer's wife.
 
Violet's grandmother grew her own flax and wove it on a loom. She has a skein of her grandmother flax hanging downstairs somewhere. 
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: gg27 on February 04, 2014, 04:37:40 PM
Not quite the same shape but similar to flax rendering machines that were used to break down the flax to get the threads for linen.  Saw them in use in New Brunswick last summer at Kings Landing.  Not sure if this is it or not but maybe a similar thing.  GG

That's exactly what I was thinking it might be only I was going to call it a "break".

It's old, made of wood and hand operated.

And, whew, I finally found a "flax break" but larger version, to wit:

http://www.frontierfreedom.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3542&sid=7285e882664be771e3fa61d5f4791bad (http://www.frontierfreedom.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3542&sid=7285e882664be771e3fa61d5f4791bad)

Ps. Maxwell's unit was surely made for "home use" by the farmer's wife.
 
Violet's grandmother grew her own flax and wove it on a loom. She has a skein of her grandmother flax hanging downstairs somewhere. 

That was the word I was looking for "break"   I'm still not sure that's what it is, but glad that someone else knows what I'm talking about. ;D 
Hope someone comes along with a definitive answer.  GG
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: maxwell on February 04, 2014, 04:44:23 PM
Ok, that definitely seems to be on the right track. After searching a bit on Google, though, I still can't find a flax brake with more than two or three blades. The flax breaks tend to also have more of a blade, rather than flat slats, though. They also tend to have the blades come all the way together. On this one, when it is shut all the way, there is still space in between each of the slats.
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: mart on February 04, 2014, 05:19:45 PM
I don`t know !!  Doesn`t seem to fit this tool !!  Just curious but did you ask when it was brought in what it was for ??
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: sugarcube5419 on February 04, 2014, 05:23:23 PM
it looks like a mold for making brick veneers
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: maxwell on February 04, 2014, 05:47:09 PM
I don`t know !!  Doesn`t seem to fit this tool !!  Just curious but did you ask when it was brought in what it was for ??

The dealer actually came in and asked all of us if WE knew what it was!  :P
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: mart on February 04, 2014, 06:00:49 PM
What is your location !! Maybe there is something in the location that would help !! Pretty sure it had a farm use !! But for what ???
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: maxwell on February 04, 2014, 06:02:17 PM
What is your location !! Maybe there is something in the location that would help !! Pretty sure it had a farm use !! But for what ???

We're in Oregon, so some sort of farm use is certainly a possibility...
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: ThisNThat on February 04, 2014, 09:29:20 PM
I know what it is!!!

And antique wooden thinga majiggy.  ;D

I asked my husband, and he had no clue either. And he's an antique expert on a lot of things, and usually knows.
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: mart on February 04, 2014, 10:00:37 PM
Sounds like what my hubby would say when he didn`t have a clue what it was !!
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: cogar on February 05, 2014, 03:32:49 AM
Quote
They also tend to have the blades come all the way together. On this one, when it is shut all the way, there is still space in between each of the slats.

If per chance it is a "flax break", ...... then space between the slats is good ..... cause you are "breaking" the flax stem, .... not cutting it in little pieces because it wouldn't be any use iffen you did

This is flax, ..... ready to be "broke" after it has dried out.

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjavjdUOHI4/T8QXe17W0VI/AAAAAAAAAiU/g8YTcBwkvMk/s1600/2010%2Bflax%2Bharvest.jpg)
Title: Re: Does anybody know what this is?
Post by: mart on February 05, 2014, 07:14:52 AM
How big is this thing ??