What is this?

[Derrickwade]

Its fairly heavy. It has a hole in the large end with what appears to be several little ball bearings inside. I have no idea..

 

[Stuart in MN]

It's a nail spinner. You put it in a drill and use it to drive finishing nails into woodwork.

edit: I'm not sure if Craftsman still sells them (I have one I bought years ago) but here's a link to a Vermont American spinner: http://www.vermontamerican.com/Products/ProductDetail.htm?CID=4229

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

Looks like the one end with the holes screws in and expanded the o-ring. Thus gripping the inside of a cylinder. Maybe to pull said cylinder out?
Sorry, I have no idea what that is.

Edit: never mind hahaha

 

[gears]

did you try looking up the craftsman part number?

 

[Derrickwade]

Thanks guys! Interesting little piece.

 

[zkling]

Stuart nailed it It is a nail spinner

Example of use

http://lumberjocks.com/Betsy/blog/27604

 

[neophyte]

Cut and paste from Vermont American website.

Nail spinners eliminate wood trim splitting.
1/4" shank fits all drills
For spinning 4, 6, 8 and 10 penny finishing nails into hardwood

 

[Outlawmws]

Another tool I don't really need, never heard of, but now want...

 

[2oolhound]

^^^ Yes but if you're in the same boat as me you're going to need it some day and next time you split a piece of hardwood you'd cut and finished perfectly you'll be cursing yourself for not getting one.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Another tool I don't really need, never heard of, but now want...

+1. this place is bad....even though I have 15 pneumatic nailers I want one of these.

TheGrooveking

 

[neophyte]

^^^ Yes but if you're in the same boat as me you're going to need it some day and next time you split a piece of hardwood you'd cut and finished perfectly you'll be cursing yourself for not getting one.

So how exactly does this work better than either drilling a pilot hole, or just fastening the nail in the drill chuck to do the same thing.

 

[2oolhound]

So how exactly does this work better than either drilling a pilot hole, or just fastening the nail in the drill chuck to do the same thing.

Hey, common man, I was just about to order one...

It may be faster loading if you had a lot to do.

 

[neophyte]

Hey, common man, I was just about to order one...

It may be faster loading if you had a lot to do.

At $10 or less it isn't so bad, and yeah, I suppose it might be quicker loading, plus down the line someone else can look at it and go "WTF is this thing."

 

[rlitman]

So how exactly does this work better than either drilling a pilot hole, or just fastening the nail in the drill chuck to do the same thing.

It prevents the chuck from damaging the wood.
But I doubt it works any better than blunting the tip of the nail.

 

[Outlawmws]

At $10 or less it isn't so bad, and yeah, I suppose it might be quicker loading, plus down the line someone else can look at it and go "WTF is this thing."

Heck, I've said that about things I've found in my own garage at times!

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Nuthin like nailin' a spinner....