What Is This Thing??

[Jarl]

Hello all,

Wasn't sure if posting this in the 'What is it?' section would have been appropriate, since it's not a metal detecting find...but maybe someone here can identify it. A family member found it at a free store in a box. I know it's nothing spectacular but we're a little stumped as to what it could be...have lots of ideas but trouble finding much like it. Any suggestion greatly appreciated, thank you!

Dimensions: Thickness about 1/2", looks 'very' hand made, so it's not consistent. Width, around 2" maybe be bit over. Standing height, about 19"" and length of wood is around 46".

 

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[kcm]

Looks to be a homemade wooden band clamp. Is hand-split from solid wood; not thinner pieces laminated together. Was probably used for making multiple identical pieces. Wood would get steamed, wrapped around a form, then something like this would go around and be tightened up until the wood had cooled. The wood being bent would always have some amount of springback, so might have been looking to make something with a U-shape - maybe for making baskets, or maybe a handle for a particular basket style.

The slots would have (in the older days) a wooden slat that would fit through the holes. The slat would have holes in it that wedges would be tapped into in order to tighten the clamp. In a more sophisticated shop, they "might" have used a threaded wooden dowel with a wooden nut, but more'n likely it was the first method, as it was easier to make, less easily damaged than threads, and more quickly tightened and loosened over threaded clamps.

Nice find, but I'm afraid not of much value except to someone who likes to collect very old, pre-electrical power woodshop jigs. That's not saying this piece is that old - only that the technology is. There are still a few folks out there that use only hand tools, as well as a school in....I'm wanting to say Kentucky? Maybe Pennsylvania? Been too many years - can't remember.

 

[Jarl]

Thanks kcm...that's what i thought too, among many other things.

 

[kingskid1611]

Maybe a carpet beater. handle attached and then beat the crap out of carpet hanging outside to remove dust.

 

[ivan salis]

horse collar frame ?

 

[jeff of pa]

what is it section is for all what is it's ?
not just detecting Finds.

So a repost there is OK if you wish

 

[releventchair]

Not sure why a spring comes to mind...