Awesome lead crucible

Cool find today!

This is a cricible/mold set up to cast lead or brass hammer heads around an inserted handle.

We bought a machine shop years ago and there were a bunch of lead dead blow mallets.  We also found a box of steel handles, but could never find the mold for casting the heads. I thought maybe they sand cast them.

I was digging through the maintenance trailer at work today looking for potential parts for my coffee roaster and look what I found!  This was not at all what I expected.  Interesting set up.  The mold is attached to the crucible, which then tilts to pour the metal into the mold. The mold clam shells to insert the hammer handle and then for removal once it is cast.

Really cool.  I was just asking someone if we still have the handles and we do.  I may have to try this out one of these days.

Beer cellar makeover

This gallery contains 7 photos.

Converted an old walk in ice box in my cellar to a beer/wine cellar.  Used old planks from a barn that used to be on my parents property for the shelves.  Refinished an old gas/electric lighting fixture that was in … Continue reading →

Calibrator lamp

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Just finished this lamp.  Started with a calibrator for plastic tube extrusion (stacked rings).  Added a knob and tube switch from my basement.  Walnut base from a tree that grew on my parents property.  Great socket from another fixture at my house.  … Continue reading →

Fixing up a fixture

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Here is another project on my workbench. This was a gas/electric fixture originally hanging in my kitchen.  I was quite surprised that under 7 layers of lead paint, is some really nice brass. I’m going to polish this up and … Continue reading →

Steam locomotive lubricator lamp

This is a lamp that I made about 10 years ago.  Mostly from parts that I found in an old machine shop.  I believe the main body is a line lubricator from a steam locomotive.