What is this metal object?

[u/brianfrommalden]

NOT the key.......wiseguys.

Seems to be cast steel, weighty. Just found on the warehouse floor here in central Florida. All searches come up with items that are close, but not close enough. No threading inside. No packaging found.

[u/killdagrrrl]

English is not my first language and now that I think of it I don’t even know the term in my mother tongue either, but it looks like the piece that goes at the end of the curtain bars, like a stop to prevent the curtains from falling off the side

[u/brianfrommalden → u/killdagrrrl]

I thought of something along those lines, too, initially, but I went with a shower rod.

Ruled that out as well since it is heavy steel. Can't really envision a curtain rod or shower rod being made with such heavy metal.

[u/killdagrrrl → u/brianfrommalden]

I’ve seen those in heavy metal in old houses (I don’t live in the us)

[u/CoolerJack14 → u/killdagrrrl]

That would be a finial

[u/killdagrrrl → u/CoolerJack14]

Now I can translate it to my language! Thanks!

[u/onelittleforest]

Looks kinda like the knob on an old radiator

[u/birdinahouse1]

Square is for a 1/2” breaker bar or ratchet. Tapered end goes into a tub drain or pipe

[u/brianfrommalden → u/birdinahouse1]

We thought about it going on to a ratchet wrench, but then, once installed on a drain or a pipe, you'd be left with a cap that has an open square at the end where the wrench went. So, this being something to stop water was ruled out pretty early. Is there another part missing? Due to the rough texture, I couldn't see how this could ever be water-tight.

[u/birdinahouse1 → u/brianfrommalden]

Hope this helps… https://youtu.be/G2RmbMqEjjw?si=2QUSSM-Gn8Q3UeZY

[u/NjGTSilver → u/birdinahouse1]

This guy plumbs ⬆️

[u/birdinahouse1 → u/NjGTSilver]

🫡

[u/randomn49er → u/brianfrommalden]

It is a tub drain removal tool. I am a plumber and one a newer version of these.

[u/nextus_music → u/brianfrommalden]

Mark it solved ✅

[u/MaybeABot31416 → u/birdinahouse1]

Unless that isn’t a 1/2” hole, I’m pretty sure this is the answer

[u/klaxz1 → u/birdinahouse1]

Yup. Looks like a nipple extractor to me

[u/ScottChi]

It looks like a bolt extractor on steroids. It might be used for unscrewing a metal sleeve out of an engine block for example. Just a WAG though

[u/DingotushRed]

FYI: I wouldn't use a key for scale: it's perfectly possible to read the biting from a photo and cut a copy of the key.

[u/MaybeABot31416 → u/DingotushRed]

I mean... I could probably make that key, but then what would I do with it? I don’t have any interest in robbing people, so bad example, but figuring out where someone lives to then use a key that might be for something other than their house…

[u/The_Next_Legend → u/DingotushRed]

yeah but then you gotta figure out what exact door this key goes to, which makes your whole effort moot

[u/Katerina_VonCat → u/The_Next_Legend]

Silly. It’s not moot at all! It’s simple! Stalk OP on Reddit for 3 years till they mess up and post a pic that you reverse google earth search and boom found OPs neighborhood. Then you just camp out in your generic “Electrical Company” van with a bunch of protein shakes and an empty laundry detergent jug for pee breaks (do not bring solid foods unless you wanna catch and throw - pro tip: remember to bring wet wipes if you can resist Taco Bell for stake out snacks…learned that lesson the hard way…).

Narrow down who OP is using ChatGTP god mode based off their post and comment history. Then watch for OP to exit their home and boom! Found the door for the key!

[u/DrEnd585 → u/The_Next_Legend]

Ip tracing from their posting is easier than you think, judging from the key style it's one of a few, a work key, or a home key, something to a building door specifically which makes tracing specifics easier (some folks could use the keyway broach to tell what exactly), if you're IP tracing someone using basic info identifying their work or their home is much easier than many believe and allows either for someone to rob OP's work, which isn't good obviously as OP might be there and then might be at risk, or they rob OP's home again putting OP at risk. Better just to use something like a car remote or CAR key for scaling, harder to trace a key to a specific car type and the chips in new car keys disallow just having a key cut and stealing a car.

[u/joeChump]

Google lens search came up with similar objects that are out of a manual crank meat grinder.images here.

[u/bogodix]

It's a tub drain removal tool the spiral is left handed to loosen the threaded drain in a bathtub. Square in the top is to use a ratchet to turn.

[u/jmb00308986]

Pretty sure that's a finishing piece for the ballusters(?) on a stair case

[u/scoot-n-ooze]

Looks like a drain basket removal tool

[u/lostinLspace]

The knob to turn some kind of tap. Water, radiator, gas..etc. The grooves are for grip.

[u/sendvideogameart]

It almost looks like an extractor, they can attach to a ratchet

[u/Bright-Car-1702]

If your house is old and has a gas fireplace it could be the key for the gas fireplace

[u/Rbtmatrix]

That is a very old faucet knob. I grew up in central Florida, in a house built in the 1920s, and all our faucets had knobs that exact same shape and style.

This one has lost its electroplated finish.

[u/DrEnd585]

Note to OP and others, if these are important keys you'd do well to not showcase the bidding online. Copying bidding has been done with less than this and most social media can be used to readily trace plenty of IPs and pinpoint someone's location. Just food for thought, keep yourself safe