We’ve created a new challenge for you here on PopSci.com, whereby you can show off your obscure knowledge of tools and, well, win new tools!
Here's how it works: We'll post a picture of an object, maybe a clue or two, and you guess what it is in the comments section below. The first among you to guess correctly will win the prize. This week, it’s a 20 ounce Stanley FatMax hammer. Pretty sweet.
Leading off the Mystery Tool series is, fittingly, a machine with which I have a strange obsession. It's nearly a century old, has a rotating set of dies, and works with trays of small thin metal plates.
Good luck!
Five amazing, clean technologies that will set us free, in this month's energy-focused issue. Also: how to build a better bomb detector, the robotic toys that are raising your children, a human catapult, the world's smallest arcade, and much more.


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You beat me to it KH. That's my guess.
looks like an old type writer
@KH: I would agree that it's used to stamp letters into metal. Machines like these were used extensively to create id tags for soldiers (dog tags).
doh I agree I think it make dogtags but since that one has been chosen I am going to say trophy plaques but I really think it is soldier dogtags
It's an old graphotype machine!
In particular, it's a rotogravure.
I'm going with old $^%@ engraving machine. Don't know if it stamps the letters or engraves paterns based on the wheel settings. Betting the later.
I'm going with old $^%@ engraving machine. Don't know if it stamps the letters or engraves paterns based on the wheel settings. Betting the later.
I'll say is lether press machine or a letters Press of some type..
It's a Class 6100 Graphotype made by Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio in late 1930's
i think it used to make pie tins
Its a first generation fax machine.
Are you actually going to give away prizes? I won your "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" contest and didn't get jack shit.
It's a flux capacitor!
Wow - clearly we have to work harder to stump you guys. WhyMe is the winner with the first, most precise answer and yes, he will get a prize for his efforts - a Stanley FatMax hammer. Thanks all for your answers and stay tuned for more!
CR
its a word press
Calculator
Correct it is a military "dogtag" stamping machine. This looks like the Floor Model 6180 Addressograph used to emboss military id tags.
It's used to make belts!
It is an early encryption / cipher device.
It's used to emboss plates for printing the address labels on magazines
it plays music
Its a stamping machine
It looks very much like a Cryptograph machine. If not, it looks like it might be a turing machine.
Is it an old dog tag machine?
It is a Graphotype machine, used for making military dog tags.
Reminds me of some of the things from the second wizard of oz movie.
Graphotype Model 6181
from prevous issue
We have a winner!
And the guesses keep coming.
WhyMe is the winner-- great job! First correct, and most precise, answer. Well done.
WhyMe, I'll email you today for your real name and snail mail address, and we'll ship you your prize.
Stay tuned for more "Guess This Obscure Tool" posts to win more tools.
Thanks everyone,
Taylor
PopSci.com
I think it is an old belt lacing machine.
Some of the other guesses are really good.
John
This is an old Graphotype machine. Full details (including the picture used here) can be found at the URL of www.stampedout.net/information-050-6100.html - now can I have the hammer? :-)
Good guesses everyone. Thanks for playing.
@WhyMe - Nice work.
@VintageWest - Good link. There is some good info on that site. Though the picture used here is of my own graphotype, not from that site.
To the people who commented about dog tags - It is made by the same company that makes the dog tag machine and the dog tag machine is mechanically very similar except for the jaws that hold the plate being debossed. This one holds address label sized plates used to make address labels for the addressograph.
The dog tag machines that you typically see at machine gun shoots and army navy stores and the like are a little newer with a keypad and an electric motor turning the wheel of dies. The way it types is actually really neat - it will strike the letter the next time the letter comes around after the key is pressed. Does anyone know what the equivalent maximum word per minute speed would be for typing on those machines? It can't be very fast.
If anyone knows where I can get my hands on it's mate, the addressograph, that actually addresses with these metal plates, get in touch.
-Vin Marshall
Yay! I knew my obsession with old gadgets would be useful some day :D
I was so amazed when I came across an Addressograph for the first time that I did my best to learn more about these devices. So when I saw the picture on this website I recognized it right away.
This is a great blog with lots of informative information. Keep up the good work! Keep an eye out for my new Radon Gas blog: www.mitigationsystem.com - As I mentioned before, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Over 8 Million U.S. homes have dangerous levels of radon gas (radon level of 4.0 or higher is dangerous according to EPA.) Learn more about radon testing and radon remediation at www.radonmitigation.us or wait for my new post about radon abatement next week. Thanks for all of your help in this battle against radon and cancer.
Yay! I knew my obsession with old gadgets would be useful some day :D
I was so amazed when I came across an Addressograph for the first time that I did my best to learn more about these devices. So when I saw the picture on this website I recognized it right away.
http://burnwiigames.org/
Although you can get engraving materials with a wide variety of color, thickness and finishing options, you may find you want to experiment with the color of the engraving when using engraving equipment. There are a number of approaches you can take. The 3 most popular coloring methods for using engraving equipment include oxidizing, paint stick and paint filling.
Oxidizing uses a mild acid to blacken the engraving on brass or aluminum. Since the oxidizing isn't selected on where it works on the engraving equipment, it can only be used on metals that already have some kind of coating that is already removed through the engraving process
engraving equipment : Vision Engraving & Routing Systems is the largest designer and manufacturer of engraving equipment, CNC routers, and accessories.
Reminds me of some of the things from the second wizard of oz movie.
www.promdresspicture.com
Yay! Je savais que mon obsession pour les gadgets ancienne serait utile un jour: D
J'étais tellement surpris quand je suis tombé sur un Addressograph pour la première fois que je faisais de mon mieux pour en apprendre davantage au sujet de ces dispositifs. Alors quand j'ai vu la photo sur ce site je l'ai reconnu tout de suite.
www.autonewstoday.net
Olen menossa vanhan $ ^% @ kaiverrus kone. Etkö tiedä, jos se postimerkkejä kirjaimia tai engraves paterns perustuu pyörän asetuksia. Vedonlyönti myöhemmin.
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