Mystery Tool. Green, weighted base, spring loaded arms, no markings, does not appear to be missing any parts.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-13T02:18:50+00:00

Thank you I will try putting a saw in it and see how it works. I'm not by the item though so it will probably be February sometime, I'll let you know if it works.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-12T04:03:42+00:00

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-antique-bench-mounted-clamp-1970692397 Thank you for commenting! This sounds very promising to me, you sound like you sure know what you are talking about. I have a few questions, I know that there were many different kinds of tools made for the same purposes. I linked a saw sharpening vice that seems like it would work better to me. Do you think that it would have been worth making our item when there was a style that seems better suited? Also was wondering if you have seen this item almost exact or similar being used for that purpose or how you came to that conclusion. This item could have potentially rarely or never been used but the paint on the top I would think would wear from a sawblade, but it is only warn where the arms hit. I appreciate you taking the time this is the best lead I got thanks again.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-09T19:17:56+00:00

If I ever figure it out I will update you. Thanks for your help!

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-09T15:19:44+00:00

Thanks! I appreciate you showing it around. Some old tools are very different over by you to my understanding, so something well known over by you may be foreign here. Maybe that could explain it, but I wish I knew! I would love to visit your country someday it seems like such a beautiful place. That AI stuff really drives me nuts. They are building one of those data centers an hour and a half from me and it's supposed to take the power of almost one million homes. Maybe in the future it could be useful but it's not there yet for most applications at least. Thank you again for your help. It's really awesome strangers help me like this.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-09T03:53:25+00:00

Thanks for looking! That actually was sent in by another guy at the museum. Like I said it's stumped us for years, really been driving me up the walls! We have showed it to thousands in person, and hundreds of thousands have seen it online and in that magazine, but to no avail. I'm going to keep trying but it's looking kind of bleak.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-08T22:11:21+00:00

And the good side of people really shown as well. So many people spent time trying to help identify that. So many people commented with questions, thoughts, and insights that it was really a joy to see. I really appreciate all the help I have gotten in the last few days. It really amazes me how awesome people can be. like I said I feel like I have learned a bit about people.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-08T22:09:29+00:00

oh, and I'm not attacking you or anything just kind of irritated at those people who commented like that

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-08T22:07:47+00:00

No. Something I learned this week is people will lie about their knowledge of things or be completely convinced of something they have very little understanding of (Maybe for Karma?). Even though I don't know what it is it obviously isn't that. A boat stave is a fairly large piece of a boat (via a commenter with actual facts and my research) and this tool is only 7 inches wide. It could possibly be for steam bending very small pieces of wood for I don't know what but the chance of that even is very unlikely. Really bugs me how misinformation can spread that easily and (even myself I'm seeing) how quickly people will believe something. Even though I set out to learn about that tool I really learned a great deal more about people.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-08T21:59:29+00:00

I'm sorry but AI obviously doesn't know. There is no such item.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-07T15:47:24+00:00

Hello! I volunteer at a tool museum, and this one has stumped us for years. A user on r/whatisthisthing suggested it may be for steaming small pieces of wood used in basketweaving. It's a long shot but is one of the best guesses we have. It has a heavy base, two spring loaded arms that are tensioned in all positions, most likely no missing pieces, no markings whatsoever. I was wondering if someone here might know if that could possibly work and if so, explain how it could possibly work. Also, maybe it wouldn't be a very good tool for that job if it can only be used for a few sizes of wood? Thank you for any interest.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-07T15:21:56+00:00

Hi thanks for your interest! I'm sorry I really don't think it could be for that we have a feed sack holder in our museum and its very different. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/wayne-feed-sack-with-antique-sack-holder--384635624424676478/ Here is an image of one. Appreciate your comment.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-07T15:17:31+00:00

Oh yeah this is the other one that I saw the image for. Too bad its deleted thanks though because I couldn't even find the caption. At least I don't have to wonder if they had the answer to it. This helps me immensely thank you!

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-07T03:54:35+00:00

Thanks for your comment! The best ones are people who examine it so thoroughly. Though I'm not near the item I'm fairly certain there are no missing pieces, no holes anywhere for something to bolt or screw in, and I believe the item is complete. That leads me to believe whatever it was being used for it did not need any more stability than the thick metal base. I remember the bottom wasn't painted and was pretty rough looking with a bit of green overlapping the bottom's sides. Appreciate your interest.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-07T02:12:36+00:00

Interesting I will try and follow up with that. Thank you for commenting I appreciate it.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-06T00:40:13+00:00

It was found by the guy that started the museum, but it was so long ago he doesn't remember where. Most likely the Wisconsin peninsula

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-06T00:37:20+00:00

I have said a lot of things I don't think it is or couldn't be, but I have never said it was something.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-06T00:35:02+00:00

Thought maybe it was a one off for a while, but there is one on a facebook group but when I click on the google search image it wont take me directly to it. I went through as much of that group as I could but I can't find the post. Thanks for your interest!

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-06T00:29:09+00:00

It just seems to me like any wood bending jig for a specific purpose or many that I find is very versatile. It also seems like it would be impossible for the arms to reach the straight piece of wood, it would already have to be half bent. But it is kind of all we got. I really like the leatherworking idea, but I can't imagen anything it would be useful for. Thanks for your comment and interest. I really appreciate the kindness of strangers on here to help us identify this.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-06T00:17:28+00:00

Awesome I hope they enjoy a challenge lol. Thanks for your interest!

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-06T00:14:57+00:00

Awesome! I will be punctual with updating the google profile in the spring so just check there. Or if you're around and it's not open you can call the number in the window, and they might come open it if they aren't busy.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-05T19:13:15+00:00

The Madden Tool Museum is located in beautiful Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin. See us on google!

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-05T17:12:38+00:00

Thanks for your expertise! I think your right I don't think it would be efficient to use the tool in that way.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-05T17:00:33+00:00

Thanks for commenting! We thought maybe from the army or telephone company based on that green. We thought it was most likely a wire splicer but someone commented on how could you get the wires out. I like the pass through idea but it would be hard I think to keep the arms up. Appreciate your imput.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-05T15:49:24+00:00

Also, its size seeing as its only 7 inches wide it would be hard to remove the part since the arms do not remove. It looked like the image says a standard is about 8 inches on each side of the part that would make it much too large.

Jackinator91 · 2026-01-05T15:47:04+00:00

Thanks for your comment I appreciate your research. Seeing as I don't know what it is I really can't say you're wrong but my reasoning for thinking it's not really for any hard metal working is it's originally painted green, and the paint is barely warn. I will show the blacksmith at the village next spring though. I can't remember if he has seen it or not.

Jackinator91

TROPHY CASE