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submitted 5 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

Sigh. Always test cast iron of unknown history. Any wall mounting tips lol?

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[-] [email protected] 28 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Cast iron can be used for melting lead to form shot and fishing weights. That’s rare now but did happen

Actually when I was a kid, one year my Dad melted metal for weighting my pinewood derby - I do wonder now what he melted and how. Not many easily obtained metals are heavy and have a low melting point

[-] [email protected] 12 points 5 days ago

It was most likely lead. It was also used as weights for fishing lures and a ton of other stuff.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 5 days ago

I melted metal for my kids' cars. It isn't hard to find a low melting point allow that is safe as well (well as safe as a low melting temperature alloy can be...)

[-] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago

It could've been pewter. You can melt that in a pan on the stovetop. 170-230°C is all it takes and your typical electric stovetop can get up to 800-900°C.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 5 days ago

I see a reference to lead being removed from pewter “in the 1970s”, and yes, I’m old enough that lead is still in question

[-] [email protected] 6 points 5 days ago

Pewter contains Antimony, which is still toxic. It used to be made into cups to induce vomiting.

this post was submitted on 24 Jun 2025
276 points (99.3% liked)

Cast Iron

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