Mystery block(s) of wood???????

[Scrivet]

I bought a box lot at an auction this past Saturday for $7.50. Here are a few things from the box, not including the metal file box they were in. There were a few other less interesting odds and ends. I like what a little cleaning and a coat of Bowling Alley Wax did for these.

I have no clue what this block of wood is for though, any ideas?

It is varnished on the end grain, in the groove, and a little to each side of the groove. The top, bottom, and sides appear unfinished, as do the outer half of the inside faces. The hole starts at about 1/4 inch and reduces to about 1/8 inch. The point at which it tapers is the darker spot in the groove.

[Eugene]

https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions ... n-rather-t

[Ken (48 Cub)]

Are they templates for drilling holes? My grandfather had a bunch of them...

[Scrivet]

Eugene I don't see anything in that link that is similar, maybe I am missing it? Seems like it points to the same thing that Ken suggests though. I don't think this is any type of hole drilling template. It would have to be a very long drill bit to fit through the four inch or so block, and why would it need to come apart and them clamp back around the bit, and need alignment pins, and have a size reduction in the middle?

I'm thinking this has something to do with string, or yarn, or something like that. Smoothing out the fuzzies, or drawing it down to a smaller diameter. That would make sense to me for having it in two sections to get it started. Lay the string in the groove and put the other piece on top and start pulling. The dark spot in the middle of the groove looks to me like it was caused by heat. I'm thinking friction from something being pulled through the block.

[Eugene]

I am/was thinking it was a centering jig for starting straight drilled holes in wood as Ken stated. The rest of the tools are for wood working, so my thought.

The tool in my previous post is for centering and boring straight holes.

Drawing out natural fiber string or yarn, the string needs to be spun as it's drawn to keep the fibers from separating. Perhaps the wooden block is part of something else.

[Urbish]

I'm thinking this has something to do with string, or yarn, or something like that. Smoothing out the fuzzies, or drawing it down to a smaller diameter. That would make sense to me for having it in two sections to get it started. Lay the string in the groove and put the other piece on top and start pulling. The dark spot in the middle of the groove looks to me like it was caused by heat. I'm thinking friction from something being pulled through the block.

Yep, this was my line of thinking as well. I have no idea what it's for, but I think you're on the right track.

[Urbish]

It's a stretch (pun totally intended), but would something like that have been used to smooth wax on a recurve bow string after globbing it on by hand?

[Stanton]

Whatever it is, there are wear marks at the larger diameter opening of the transition. Almost appear as burn marks.

[Don McCombs]

Email a photo to Roy Underhill at The Woodwright’s Shop on PBS. He’s an expert on antique woodworking tools.

[Urbish]

Did you ever figure this one out?

[Scrivet]

Not yet. Still working on an id.