It’s time to root around in the bottom of the tool bin, close our eyes, grab something and wonder what the heck is that?

If you know the name of the tool in the photo, send an email to: [email protected] and write “Mystery Tool #13 – May” in the subject line. Along with your guess, please include your mailing address and your telephone number.

Last Month’s Winner

This could be a first. 200 readers responded with guesses, but not a single one identified the tool using the exact terms we were looking for. April’s tool is a Presentation Plumb Square, a “tool” often created to commemorate the start or completion of big building projects like schools and churches.

Enough of you thought it was an inclinometer that we asked our resident tool expert and Fine Woodworking shop manager, John White, to weigh in. “If it were an inclinometer, it would have had a scale under the plumb bob to measure degrees.”

For more information on presentation tools, see Sandor Nagyszalanczy’s Tools: Rare and Ingenious (The Taunton Press, 2004).

Contest Rules

Tools may be known by different names in various parts of the country, but there is a common, accepted name we’re looking for. So even if you and your buddies call it this, but we’re looking for that, the final decision is left to the editor. Sorry, those are the breaks.

To make the competition fair to those who receive this email at home and don’t see it until the evening, all correct answers received in the first 24 hours will be put into a hat, and one winner will be drawn. Good luck!

The winner will receive a free year of Fine Homebuilding magazine. If the winner is a current subscriber, a year will be added to his/her subscription term. The prize is non-transferable, and no cash substitutions will be made. The total value of this prize is $37.95. All taxes are the responsibility of the prize winner.

The winner will also be chosen at random from all correct entries received in the first 24 hours. The correct answer and winner will be announced on the following eLetter’s contest page. In the event there is no correct response, no prize will be awarded. The Taunton Press is not responsible for system breakdowns or lost emails.

This contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older. Employees, officers, and directors of The Taunton Press, its subsidiaries, affiliated companies, dealers, advertising and promotion agencies, their respective employees, officers, directors and agents, and those associated with the development, distribution or implementation of this contest, their immediate families (including parents, in-laws, siblings, children or spouse, regardless of where they live) and members of the same household, whether related or not, are not eligible to participate. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Winners agree to allow The Taunton Press to use their name in conjunction with this contest and subsequent promotion.

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

DEWALT Impact Driver (DCF885)

This impact driver has has plenty of power, excellent slow-speed control, and features a trio of LED lights mounted around the chuck that light the work area.

Buy at Amazon

Hitachi Pin Nailer (NP35A)

This compact, no-frills nailer is a good choice for someone starting out in the trades or a builder unsure of how to get the most out of a 23-ga. pinner.

Buy at Amazon

Cadex 18-Gauge Brad Nailer (CB18.50)

This tool operates smoothly and quietly, is relatively compact, and features a built-in air blower.

Buy at Amazon