Quote from: Elmojo on October 27, 2015, 07:08:35 PM
mag loader

Too easy...

Eh, couldn't really find anything else in the house that was even remotely close to being difficult except that.  Maybe next time I'll take apart a vacuum cleaner or something...

I know!
It's always tough to find something that at least someone doesn't know immediately.

Ok, take a look at this thingy....
If you cats get this one without some serious hints, you're all way too smart to be associating with the likes of me. lol

Fancy Moonshine still!

No, but it would probably work for that! lol

Reminds me of a van der graaf generator but the tubing kills that idea. A centrifuge possibly?

Looks like it belongs on a satellite or space craft! Soooooo shiny goldy! !

But it could be a Dalek scrotum?!

Not a graf, not a 'fuge. In fact, to my knowledge it doesn't move at all when in operation, but you're roughly in the right field of science...
Gee Janx, thanks for the visual. 

Synthetic gemstone maker part.

Or

Fuel Pressure Regulator or Fuel Management Unit

Negative to both, but I like your creative thinking!

Ok, this is a really tough one. Time for some hints I think...
1) This type of device is typically used in a diagnostic, measurement or calibration role, although this particular one is used for something totally different, not that that matters for the guessing.
2) The size (as indicated by the ruler) isn't particularly important for guessing either, since they come in various sizes.
3) The fact that it's gold colored (brass in this case) isn't significant for the type of device in general (they come in all sorts of colors/outer case materials), but is for the particular application for which this exact one is used.

You know, now that I reread those, they may be more confusing than helpful. Good luck! 

some manner of fancy crucible?

or a calorimeter

Nope, you're slipping in the wrong direction.
It doesn't deal with anything physical, at least without getting into fairly complex math and physics.
For us regular humans, we'd say it works in the non-physical realm, I think.

Fancy barometer?  Measures pressure somehow?

Vacuum related?

Vapour collection chamber for argon laser. ... or war helmet for a shark with a friggin laser on its head!

Watcher and Janx, you guys are both getting closer.
Watcher's idea about measuring pressure is closer to the normal use for this type of device, while Janx's guess of a vapor chamber for an argon laser is actually VERY close for this particular item!

Can I play?

Is it a xenon dark matter detector?

Absolutely, anyone is welcome!
Okay, since I have no clue if that thing exists, then I'm gonna say no. lol
Nah, it's not a dark matter detector.

So far, Janx is the closest with his argon laser guess, but it's not a vapor chamber.
What other type of "chamber" might a laser use, especially a rather powerful one?

Cooling chamber!

Still very close, but not for cooling.
What is the main "substance" that lasers work with?

helium gas laser bell