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

This month, we thought we would do something a little different. Instead of a mystery tool, we are going to ask if you know this mystery house part. If you what it is, send an email to: [email protected] and write “Mystery Tool #17 – October” in the subject line. Along with your guess, please include your mailing address and your telephone number.

Last month’s winner

Bill Lancaster, an antique tool collector from Longview, Texas submitted the winning guess. We all knew the tool was a jigsaw, but Bill knew that it was the first jigsaw to hit the scene in 1947 and Scintilla was the manufacturer. His correct email wins him a year’s subscription to Fine Homebuilding magazine.

For more information on early power tools check out Sandor Nagyszalanczy’s book Power Tools.

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 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.

Prize

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.

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.

Reliable Crimp Connectors

These reliable, high-quality connectors from Wirefy work on 10-22-gauge wire have heat-shrink insulation to keep out water and road salt.

Buy at Amazon

Handy Heat Gun

This heat gun is great for drying joint compound, primer and paint when patching drywall and plaster walls. Plus it can soften adhesive, get a very cold small engine to start, and shrink heat-shrink tubing.

Buy at Amazon

8067 All-Weather Flashing Tape

Available in 2- to 12-in. widths, this is a good general-purpose flashing tape that sticks well to most things. It features a two-piece release paper, water-shedding layers, and good UV resistance.

Buy at Amazon