To enter last week’s Toolsday giveaway, you had to identify a wood block with three holes in the side and three metal springs on top. Most everyone knew it was an old mousetrap. We randomly picked one winner out of all the comments and that lucky person is Brian K. who correctly guessed the identity of the mystery gadget. Congrats Brian, you have one week to reply to our email before we pick another winner.
The Tuesday after next (we’re on vacation next week), we will be giving away a Craftsman Circular Saw. This 7-1/4″ saw has Laser Trac technology to make cutting a straight line easy and efficient. Just mark the starting and ending point and then follow the laser line. Ergonomically designed, soft-grip handles and a lightweight aluminum shell also make this saw easy to use. The blade can be angled up to 54 degrees to allow for a variety of cuts.
Do you need last minute gifts but are all out of money? We’ve got tasty DIY gift ideas you can make for little dough. Put together a basket of exotic teas, bags of flavored popcorn, gourmet cheeses or a collection of sugar and spices for the cook on your gift list.
To win the Craftsman Circular Saw, post a comment (click “comment” above) and tell us what this old-timey gadget does (pictured, below). You don’t have to answer correctly to win; we will randomly pick one winner. 
On Tuesday, January 1, (we’re taking off next Tuesday – Merry Christmas!) we will select the winner then start up a new giveaway for another tool, which will be given away the Tuesday after that.
You have until January 1, 2013 at 2:00pm (ET) to enter to win the Craftsman Circular Saw.
Official Rules.
Even though it says "Pencil sharpener" on the front, it is an old industrial briss machine. Trademarked as "The mechanical mohel," it was doomed to be a failure as fathers realized that length was chopped as well and their sons were not as popular as they might have been.
Pencil Sharpener
1885 Dixon Lamson Pencil Sharpener.
Well i'll be damned it really is a 1885 Dixon Lamson Pencil Sharpener! I was gonna say old movie projector lol
Pencil Sharpener, but I like Pappy444's answer best!!
Some kind of winder – like string or twine or something?
movie projector
finger sharpener… OUCH!
The badge on the front reads: Lamson Pencil Sharpener, Star Mfg. Co. Lynn Mass. (DUH)
An early pencil and/or dowl sharpener.
It's a very cool and beautiful old pencil sharpener. I would love to have one of these rather than the old one I have attached to the wall in the utility room (like we used in the classrooms at school).
don't have a clue
Its an 1885 Dixon Lamson Pencil Sharpener
SORRY THAT WAS DIXON NOT DIXIE!!! LOL
OLD 1885 DIXIE LAMSON PENCIL SHARPENER!!!
early telephone
That's an old pencil sharpener! The words 'Pencil Sharpener' on the front kind of gave it away!
Pencil Sharpener if you believe the front of it.
old phonograph
Old Pencil sharpener
It's an old spy decoder disguised as a pencil sharpner (and it realy does sharpen pencils too). If you believe that, I have a sea I would like to sell you cheap. Joyous Noel
it is a:
Lamson Pencil Sharpener (a.k.a. Dixon's Pencil Sharpener)
Patented 1885 ~ Advertised 1885-87
Joseph Dixon Crucible Co.
Jersey City, NJ
Isn't the internet awesome?
Its an 1885 Dixon Lamson Pencil Sharpener
It's a pencil sharpener. We had one that was much smaller and less complex, but definitely had similarities to this one when I was growing up.
star plotter-used on ships to navigate or landlubbers to tell your horoscope