# How Do You Find Closed Topics?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-closed-topics/155118>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 14, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-closed-topics/155118 "2003-02-14T18:59:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ecugrad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ac8455/32.png) [@ecugrad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ecugrad)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-closed-topics/155118/1 "2003-02-14T18:59:46Z")

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Back in January when I first subscribed, I was following a string about a tool that was purchased in an junk/antique shop. Everyone was giving opinions to what the item was. I can’t find the thread anymore.

Here are some clues that I can recall:

German markings on the tool

Extremely clear pictures were posted

The general consensus was the tool was perhaps a piston opener or a tool made for a specific industry or car company (i.e. Volkswagen or Mercedes Benz)

I’m just curious what the final verdict was.

Thanks for any info

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**Author:** ![AZCowboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/97f17d/32.png) [@AZCowboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AZCowboy)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-closed-topics/155118/2 "2003-02-14T19:32:18Z")

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I remember that thread…

[here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=156960) it is.

By the way, I found by using [Boardreader](http://www.boardreader.com), by using the key words “tool german antique dope” (without the quotes). It was the first thread listed.

And, the end result suggests it was:

> [@](#):
>
> the work tool is a special soldering tweezers that is used to weld together two pieces of work materials

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**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-closed-topics/155118/3 "2003-02-14T19:32:32Z")

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[Help me identify this tool, please.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=156960&highlight=tool)

I did a search in GQ titles within the last month, for “tool”.

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**Author:** ![ecugrad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ac8455/32.png) [@ecugrad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ecugrad)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-closed-topics/155118/4 "2003-02-14T21:00:00Z")

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You guys are great! Thanks!

I’m glad they finally have an answer.

After a while I’m sure to get the hang of things around here!