Here is a reenactment of a conversation with Michael yesterday;
“What the hell is up with those obscure clues?”
“They are easy–I don’t get what is taking so long.”
“DUDE, NOT EVERYBODY IS AS WEIRD AS YOU!”
The only reason I am sharing this is as a paper trail for Michael’s next performance review. How do you spell “raise” backwards?
So, whoever guessed that zinc had an atomic number of 30 was spot on. Combine that with (F)oxtrot, (P)apa and (S)ierra and anybody with half a brain will see 30 fps. Thirty frames per second! Someone else with half a brain is making a MOVIE of the MOVING PARTS of the CT-17. That would be me. The graph provided data points for frames in a movie–to move you can’t remain still… movies are made by stringing together a boatload of stills…how easy is that?
Now, let’s move on with LESS OBSCURE clues. Here is Clue #5…
This is the last clue until Sunday. Unfortunately I have been spending so much time as a huckster on my blog I forgot we need to sell stuff–I am off to Chicago for the weekend. If you are in the area, come on by and we can talk about stuff after you buy some stuff. Any stuff.
–John
Hi John,
I’m looking forward to talking about stuff on Saturday. I plan on driving down talking stuff for a couple hours and then heading back home, maybe with some more stuff! I’m also planning on bringing stuff for you to check out. Stuff like a super cool new Dj-1 jig that I’m super excited about. I’ve just about got the thing built and need to try it out. I’m hoping that the Universal jaws will be on display along with the new AMP and JMP-SW!
-Rutager
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Ok, now I feel how it’s like being one of the characters on “LOST” after Lock has turned the wheel (in order to move the island) and has then ended up in the middle of desert with his leg in a fix.
…….and if you don’t follow “LOST” and this is more (or just as) confusing then the last few days – then I’ve made my point.
……and I think I’ll side with Michael!
……but now we have a whole list of “wish” tools for John to pursue.
-roger
Roger, I thought I was the only one who still watches Lost, it’s been getting crazy and when you think you seen it all something else happens?
I think Jerry is a Magnet?
John,
Now I finally understand your comment when you said all aspects of the clue have been figured out and that they just needed to be put together. It was right in our faces!
I feel better already. The 4 years of college studying chemistry did get me somewhere!
So does the Zinc=30 guess get me a Whoppie award since I was obviously off on the rest of my guess and not worthy of a Whoppie in the Woolies award?
I’ll be driving up to Chicago this weekend as well. Look forward to seeing you.
PS. Thanks for making my brain hurt for the last 4 days!
I’ve been following LOST, too. Watching the previous season on Hulu over the span of several days probably made it easier to follow…
As for the latest clues: To me, they suggest stereo/3D/depth perception/distance. One screw refers to the four of them, when there are only two present. If you focus on the wrong distance, you perceive two copies of each object in view. I agree that the little cylinders sound like magnets – their dialog fits.
The only wacky idea that came to mind was if Jerry was a reference to Jerry “Sin”feld and it was an oblique reference to trig functions…
I too appreciate these challenges of trying to figure out what we see in the clouds…
“I agree that the little cylinders sound like magnets – their dialog fits.”
Rare earth magnets to be exact.
–John
Hey! Where’s the Whoppie in the Woolies award? I don’t think there is much left to solve with the content that’s left in the picture.
“One screw refers to the four of them, when there are only two present.”
I don’t think the screw is referring to 4 individual screws but the 2 magnets and the 2 screws. Which makes sense because the magnets would be a off the shelf part plus the 2 screws and you have 4 total off the shelf parts.
I think the screws have something to do with how far apart the magnets are kept from each other.
And why are both bottom items clouded in blue but the others are in different colors? It’s a sign I tell ya!
hmm,
….and keep in mind that there aren’t any ‘Magenta” colored parts in the latest photo.
-roger
I think the two magnets are used to hold a scale or ruler in place, but still allow for adjustments.
-Rutager
Maybe the distance from each magnet in the picture is the actual distance from each magnet on the tool itself?
“Maybe the distance from each magnet in the picture is the actual distance from each magnet on the tool itself?”
Yup. Now based upon the information in the pic you can figure out their diameter…
-John
Okay, the Diameter of the threads for the #5 cap screw is 5mm max. 4.82mm min. The diameter of the head is 8.50mm max. 8.14mm min. I am going to guess that one of these screws adjust the distance between each magnet. That would be a good assumption because the screw body diameter needs to be smaller then the magnet. The diameter of the magnet is 5mm or larger.
I guess assuming the magnets are to scale and the screws are not to scale in the picture my theory would apply.
And just maybe, the reason why they can’t get any closer to the screws is either because the screws are aluminum or some other non-ferrous material or the screws are obviously in a fixed position so the screws would never be able to get closer.
I don’t know if this has anything to do with the clue but from the research I did on the internet it appears that the screw that is saying “Hey #5-40 1/4 cap screw….” is actually a socket head cap screw. The screw that is called out and supposed to be a “cap screw” is actually a button head socket screw per my research. Both screws in a back oxide finish.
And no, I don’t have anything else better to do and I’m tired of my brain hurting so I need to figure this out.
I actually feel like Roger now with him submitting 3-4 posts at a time because he keeps forgetting to add something or comes up with something new.
The comments about the magnets proximities to each other and the loose screws could mean several things: a) Their relative positions are fixed in the tool; b) They can be farther away, and are shown in the positions of nearest approach; c) They travel in arcs around the screws, which are loose to permit their motion.
I’m starting to suspect that “loose screws” refer to the screws being used as set screws – when they are loose, motion is possible; when tight, it is not.
– John
John,
It looks like they would be 1/4″ rare earth magnets. Pretty strong, but not going to be able to hold too much. My new guess; A hide-a-key holder in stainless for Cooters Pickup! The truck might be rusty but the key holder will last forever. If the smelt are putting up a fight and he loses his keys in the river, he still has a spare set to drive to the still!
-Rutager
Everything is to scale and button heads are a subset of the socket head cap screw family (FYI, and no this is not a clue).
By the way, I am in Chicago, city of payola, or so it seems from the Bridge Citizens who are willing to part with their soul for a sneak peek at the CT-17.
What price do you think is reasonable?
–John
PS. For what it is worth, the magnets are metric.
Price? Hmmm…. How ’bout they have to purchase two CT-17’s and donate one to the “Smithsonian”?
– Smithsonian
Sorry John,
I’ve decided to wait and get the cheaper version from John Deere!
Cheers,
Stumper
Are there 2 “John” member names on this board? It’s getting confusing!
Oh yeah, the magnets are not the same..
I’m going to say the Bottom one is 4mm dia. x 1mm tall and the top one is 4mm dia. x 2mm tall.
My post above said that the magnets are not the same but after looking at the picture SOME MORE, I think my eye’s are tricking me into thinking that the magnets are different thickness. If they are both the same I would guess they are 4mm dia. x 1mm thick based on the fact that this drawing is to scale and you can use the screw to determine what the scale actually is, or close to it.
I guess I’m way off.
So, what does the diameter have to do with guessing what this tool is? We already know it’s a magnet but I don’t understand what the diameter has to do with it.
Forum,
My guess is that the magnets are NOT the same size.
If they were the one in the background would not be thicker than the one in the foreground. (it will become obvious when you enlarge the photo)
Also, the foreground magnet is obviously of female nature & the background magnet has male “airs” – which could serve to represent the essence of the structure they are bound to.
-roger
p.s. – Any Fringe fanatics out there?
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Just wound up the Chicago show… Rutager showed up, Mike Morris showed up (figured Zinc represented “30”) and Sparky from the Festool forum showed up as well as a bunch of others.
I refused the sack of cash from Rutager for full disclosure of the CT-17… BUT… YOU need to check the DJ-1 forum tomorrow because his new idea for the DJ-1 on a lathe is killer.
Oh, the size of the magnets…they are small.
Oh, Jameel soaked me for $700 worth of vise parts… hmmmmmm…..
If my plane gets in on time tomorrow I will post another clue–obviously several of you need something to do…
–John
Jameel has some of my money as well.
Roger,
I’m actually going to disagree with you and here’s why. If you look at the bottom magnet you will see that it appears to be sitting at an angle or on a different plane then the magnet at the back. Because of this I think it’s making our eye’s see that the back one is thicker then the front one. I have printed out the picture, then I took a scale and measured them and the thickness appeared to be the same….
Boy, I need to get a life… According to John!
But still, the size of the magnets? The smallest I could find was a 1mm X 1mm. That’s a pretty small disk magnet!
So, I guess we know what prize we will win if we guess it correctly. Bench Vises from BenchCrafted! You shouldn’t have John!
At the pitchfork factory where I work there is a guy that stands by the time clock with big magnets to make sure nobody leaves with pitchfork parts stuffed down their pants. I think this new tool has something to do with pants or safety. Maybe safety pants?
Cooter
John,
It was good to see you again. Thanks for the JMP tips and bringing some of the pre-production tools with you. I’ve posted the DJ-1 jig as promised.
Peter & Forum,
I brought along a sack of cash and couldn’t get him to reveal the CT-17, turns out that once he draws a line in sand, that’s that. BUT when I returned from the car with the second bag of cash, he told me all about the CT-18, it’s going to be awesome! Sorry I can’t tell you, but I was sworn to secrecy and then he mumbled something about knee-caps, concrete, the docks, fishes and Vinnie.
-Rutager
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I believe the “purpose” of the magnets are used more for the task as a memory holder for a previous used setting then as the primary agent of the tool itself.
hey Forum,
You may be right,
When your done measuring illusive magnets –
I have some tea leaves I could send your way!
.
roger
Sounds like you had a fun time, Rutager. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there. That’s cool that John’s thinking about the CT-18. If you have any input, it’s going to be an even better tool than John thinks!
– Peter
P.S. I can’t believe the last clue that John provided. He’s practically given it away!
John,
Is it possible to get the answer for this clue?
“Is it possible to get the answer for this clue?”
No.
OK, changed my mind, here goes…
I would start with “tailpipe”–what are the possible meanings? Plus with a little bit of math, you can figure out the size.
John