Any ideas on these found at an 1850s site?
- Thread starter Goatmeal
- Start date
MasonDixonMding
Elite Member
Are they lead? Maybe poker chip?
No. Too light for lead
hoser
Forum Supporter
No clue. They are already junk, try cutting the edge with a pocketknife. If it is soft it could be something like a babbit spacer.
markinmichigan
Forum Supporter
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2022
- Messages
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OH WOW! The elusive babitt spacer. Hoser, I thought you were pulling our leg until I looked it up. You might be onto something.
Mark in Michigan
cellrdwellr
Elite Member
I believe those are either hem weights or curtain drape weights.
EDIT: not lead, so probably not correct...
EDIT: not lead, so probably not correct...
I nodded my head in agreement with hoser. That must make me really old
I cut the edge. Very hard metal. Not magnetic. Here is a pic.
hoser
Forum Supporter
Nope you're safe. They still use babbit today for journal bearings. It's not as soft as lead, but soft enough to kind of cut a sliver off.
Solved, thanks guys
Digger RJ
Elite Member
wolf-n-wa
Forum Supporter
We use Babbit hammers on slugging wrenches. It's a no-spark hammer material.
hoser
Forum Supporter
Ready made, or do you have the mold to remelt the babbit and pour a new head on the handle?
wolf-n-wa
Forum Supporter
They are ready made. And man do they fling material when you are swinging a 20 pounder at some inch and a half nuts!
