2.5-inch solid plastic black spindle/key/plug with notches in the junk drawer

[u/give_me_mimosas]

I moved a few months ago and found this in my junk drawer. Unfortunately, I can't recall what it's from. I also am unable to remember if it was in the junk drawer at my previous apartment or if it found its way there during the packing/unpacking process.

I've included images with measurements. The entire piece is about 2.5" long. The bottom (~7/8") is wider than the top (~3/4").

Reverse image searches mostly suggest it's a film spool, but I'm not convinced.

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[u/JimJr13]

I have a very similar looking doo hickey that is to lift to egg tray out of a egg cooker

[u/give_me_mimosas → u/JimJr13]

Oh my goodness I think this may be it. I used to have this egg cooker but no longer have it. Does this match what you have? I think it's the piece in the 3rd and 4th picture on the first page

[u/give_me_mimosas → u/give_me_mimosas]

Here's another image from a review of the dash egg cooker where you can clearly see the piece notched in. I'm declaring this one solved. Thank you u/JimJr13! You've concluded months of confusion for me.

[u/JimJr13 → u/give_me_mimosas]

Yes mine might be the exact same one. You’re welcome!

[u/thismenu → u/JimJr13]

Dude nice catch!

[u/elsolonumber1 → u/give_me_mimosas]

And now I'm wondering why my identical egg cooker didn't come with one of these...

[u/alleecmo → u/elsolonumber1]

Maybe OP can mail you theirs?

[u/give_me_mimosas → u/JimJr13]

Solved!

[u/Zookreeper1 → u/JimJr13]

Beat me to it by a minute.

[u/relayrider → u/Zookreeper1]

beaten like an egg?

[u/relayrider → u/JimJr13]

you cracked the case

[u/JetlinerDiner → u/JimJr13]

JFC, this sub is something else!

[u/955_36]

Is there a photographer in the house? It looks like a 220 film spindle.

[u/give_me_mimosas → u/955_36]

I'm a photographer, but strictly digital. I don't think it's a film spindle because when I look them up, they have drive recesses on each end and this piece does not. Also, it appears the film spindles have the same size base on each side

[u/955_36 → u/give_me_mimosas]

It's been 25 years since I shot any 220, and looking up what they look like, you're right. I agree it's not a film spindle. Very close though at casual glance.

[u/mtrbiknut → u/955_36]

I am also thinking film spindle.

[u/SecretIdea → u/955_36]

A film spindle would have a slot going through it to stick in the end of the paper backing.

[u/955_36 → u/SecretIdea]

When I looked at it the first time, it looked like there was a slot. Enlarging the photo I saw that there wasn't.

[u/give_me_mimosas]

My title describes the thing.

The piece does not have any symbols, words, or other markings. I see an ejector pin mark on the bottom, so I believe the piece was injection molded and is solid. I've included another picture to view the notches at the base more clearly. It seems the purpose of this piece is either to lock into place (perhaps to plug something) or to be used as a key to twist something.

I've done several searches and beyond guessing a film roll spool, google mostly believes it to be a handle or plug for a vacuum, a blender, or other appliance. I'm going around my apartment looking for appliances with holes around that size that the piece could notch into, but have not yet had any luck.

[u/SlappyMcPherson]

Egg cooker center.

[u/pmax2]

looks like an adding machine's paper roll spindle

[u/Ermahgerd_Rerdert → u/pmax2]

I was gonna say label maker roll.

[u/HyperionSaber]

transit plug from a washing machine/dishwasher?

[u/ostapack]

Could be a spacer to keep a fridge or similar from being too close to a wall?

[u/aroc91 → u/ostapack]

Nah. That's way too flimsy and doesn't resemble any sort of appliance spacer. It clearly slides into something but has no way of being locked into place when extended.

[u/give_me_mimosas → u/ostapack]

Hmm this is interesting. My kitchen and laundry appliances at the previous apartment were all whirlpool. My kitchen appliances at this apartment are kitchen aid and my laundry appliances are GE. I'll go check around the sides them and look up whirlpool appliances to see if it could belong to any of those

[u/Black_Cloud09]

It looks like a quick-release locking mechanism used to join parts together. You insert the shaft into a slot and turn/twist it so the small tabs at the base lock into place.

[u/vinillakillaOg]

I'm trying to match the notch geometry against common household items but nothing clicks. It's too small for a battery terminal post and the threads don't look right for a camera tripod mount. Appliance knobs usually have a different internal shape for the shaft. If it's not a film spool (which i agree with you on) maybe it's a custom plug for some old vacuum attachment or a specific garden hose fitting? The width difference between top and bottom suggests it seats into a hole rather than screws through one. Idk, need more context on what else was in that drawer.

[u/EddieMurphyFellOff]

Door stop? Could the wider end turn to lock into a base that is affixed to a baseboard or something?

Nvm: I see it goes to an egg cooker.

[u/Dieppe42]

Could be a plug to limit shotgun capacity for hunting.

Benelli has one near identical.

[u/murph3062]

Did you buy a Moen kitchen faucet?