Does anybody know what this is?

[RambleTamble]

These turned up in our house and I have no idea what they are or where they came from. ChatGPT said they might be anti-static pads for soldering.
EDIT: they're about 7-7/8" (20cm) square and those are plastic snaps in the corners.

 

[MarciKS]

the soldering pads i see on google look nothing like these.

from what i'm seeing the black piece is a sander pad. is the white piece silicone?

 

[Murrmurr]

They're not soldering pads...Chat didn't compute the snaps.

Those are meant to hold something. What, I don't know.

 

[HoneyNut]

These turned up in our house

Inside your house? Did you have workmen doing some maintenance that might have left them, or some other visitors?

 

[Murrmurr]

They look like they're for holding something round and, probably, with a sharp edge, like disc blades or saws. (for a handheld tool)

 

[Paco Dennis]

Do the corners snap together? Snapping them all could make a tray?

 

[Murrmurr]

Do the corners snap together? Snapping them all could make a tray?

They do, and because they make sort of rounded corners, I think they're meant to safely hold disc blades.

 

[jet]

bath mats?

 

[debodun]

For sitting hot pots on?

 

[Murrmurr]

bath mats?

For elves?

They look only about 4" or 5" sq.

 

[RambleTamble]

For elves?

They look only about 4" or 5" sq.

They're actually 7-7/8" sq or 20cm for normal countries that use the metric system. The fact that they are such a nominal dimension in metric indicates that they were probably made outside the U.S. using the metric system.

 

[Murrmurr]

I just remembered seeing something very similar to these in my grandfather's tailor shop! They held disc blades for cutting fabrics. His were leather, but that was 50yrs ago.

 

[Murrmurr]

They're actually 7-7/8" sq or 20cm for normal countries that use the metric system. The fact that they are such a nominal dimension in metric indicates that they were probably made outside the U.S. using the metric system.

I just remembered seeing something very similar to these in my grandfather's tailor shop! They held disc blades for cutting fabrics. His were leather, but that was 50yrs ago.

Oh...maybe not. Grampa's fabric cutting discs were only about 5"/12.7cm.

I do think they're for storing disc blades, tho.

 

[RambleTamble]

Oh...maybe not. Grampa's fabric cutting discs were only about 5"/12.7cm.

I do think they're for storing disc blades, tho.

If a blade came it them, they'd probably have an impression of the blade on the rubber. I don't see any impression of anything on them. In fact, the inside surfaces are pristine. The outside black surfaces are a bit worn and dirty.

 

[IrishEyes]

I know what they are, they came off a puzzle table so they can hold puzzle pieces by color as you work on it.
My DH has a puzzle table with those

 

[Murrmurr]

If a blade came it them, they'd probably have an impression of the blade on the rubber. I don't see any impression of anything on them. In fact, the inside surfaces are pristine. The outside black surfaces are a bit worn and dirty.

Yeah, you're probly right. Disc blades are super thin and flat, but seems they would leave at least a faint impression.

But it's obvious they held something circular. Some sort of card, maybe...something made of paper or thin plastic. I thought floppy discs for a minute, but they came in a plastic case.

I wonder if someone made those.

 

[RambleTamble]

This must be what they are...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/NOGIS-Leather-Valet-Tray-Catchall-Tray-Des...

Here it is snapped together like that...

I guess I could use it to put screws in when I'm working on something. It wouldn't get tipped over easily like the plastic containers that I usually use.

 

[RambleTamble]

Do the corners snap together? Snapping them all could make a tray?

Paco Dennis wins!

 

[Aunt Bea]

This must be what they are...
View attachment 475605
https://www.walmart.com/ip/NOGIS-Leather-Valet-Tray-Catchall-Tray-Des...

Here it is snapped together like that...
View attachment 475606
I guess I could use it to put screws in when I'm working on something. It wouldn't get tipped over easily like the plastic containers that I usually use.

It’s a wonderful feeling when the finally comes on!

 

[Murrmurr]

Paco Dennis wins!

Yay for Paco!

I failed to see that the corner snaps opposed each other...I thought it went corner on corner.

Confirmed...I totally need glasses.

 

[Murrmurr]

This must be what they are...
View attachment 475605
https://www.walmart.com/ip/NOGIS-Leather-Valet-Tray-Catchall-Tray-Des...

Here it is snapped together like that...
View attachment 475606
I guess I could use it to put screws in when I'm working on something. It wouldn't get tipped over easily like the plastic containers that I usually use.

For men who traveled on business a lot. Back in the mid-20th century, we were kind of obsessed with stashing the keys, watches, and cuff-links in a little tray or bowl every night.

 

[MarciKS]

I wouldn't know about those kinds of things but at one point my search brought that up and I thought that can't be right. LOL

 

[Aunt Bea]

It’s a great idea!

I think something like that would appeal to backpackers for cereal/soup bowls, larger versions for washing up carrying water, etc…

 

[RambleTamble]

For men who traveled on business a lot. Back in the mid-19th century, we were kind of obsessed with stashing the keys, watches, and cuff-links in a little tray or bowl every night.

Damn, you're old!

 

[RambleTamble]

The only problem with the tray theory is, there's wear and grime on the outside (the black part) but the inside is clean and looks unused. Maybe somebody stored cotton balls in them.