Bullshit grinder
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The Bullshit grinder, also known as the Do Nothing Grinder, is a toy produced by regional woodworkers in New England, and is often sold in gift shops.
The device is a classic example of adapting elliptical to linear motion along two axes. The base of the device is a square block of wood with two perpendicular routed grooves. Two shuttle pieces move back and forth in the routed grooves. The mitered grooves are made in such a way that the sliding shuttle parts are captive and can not be removed. These shuttle pieces are attached by a pivot joint to the center and end of a lever. The unattached end of the lever has a handle which the operator turns in a circular motion. As the handle is turned, the shuttle parts slide past each other almost effortlessly, achieving absolutely no purpose other than entertaining the operator.
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