what is this thing?

[bonewrenched]

Let's start off with the dimensions and weight so we can calculate density. Then qualitatively tell us how hard it is. Last resort chip a piece off and send it to me and I'll tell you exactly what it is.

[CarlMega]

Sniff. Bite. Taste. That order. No exceptions or deviation.

If it passes, then pee on it. Wait three days. Still there? Then, yup it's lead or led. Science!

[bonewrenched]

but I'd say heavy as steel

The brown oxide, aka rust, supports this. Dunking it in water for a few days would be telling.

I love basements. I love materials science. This thread delivers.

[Skistack]

Do you own a magnet?


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[Ted Striker]

Do you have a 'mild mannered' friend or neighbor that's possibly a doctor? Sneak it into his car or briefcase and wait.

Just don't make him angry.

[AK47bp]

Thanks, man. It's actually solid or I'd be using it to hold my 4" diameter cock rings as we speak.


That's a question I can't answer. But plutonium did cross my mind ... after I held it.

It wasn't warm. But I was sufficiently freaked to call poison control. They basically laughed. My nephew (engineer) thinks it's steel so I'm going with that.

I'll post pics.

What is the hole on the side?

Some kind of pulley weight maybe.


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[ntblanks]

I’m betting a it’s a block of solder or led
How hard is it?

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Seemed pretty hard. Definitely not lead.

Let's start off with the dimensions and weight so we can calculate density. Then qualitatively tell us how hard it is. Last resort chip a piece off and send it to me and I'll tell you exactly what it is.

Determining density is what my nephew suggested, too. I'll take the measurements but not for a few weeks - heading out of town tomorrow.

The brown oxide, aka rust, supports this. Dunking it in water for a few days would be telling.

I love basements. I love materials science. This thread delivers.

Took some close ups:

[ntblanks]

Do you own a magnet?


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Duh! The power of the collective brain at work.

I used the magnet in a mini level and presto.

So it's got iron. Does that narrow it down significantly?

[ntblanks]

Do you have a 'mild mannered' friend or neighbor that's possibly a doctor? Sneak it into his car or briefcase and wait.

Just don't make him angry.

Nope, only dirt bags and meth heads.

[abraham]

I think cobalt 60 is kinda magnetic...

Pretty sure Cobalt's one of the other magnetic metals.

[ntblanks]

What is the hole on the side?

Some kind of pulley weight maybe.


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I actually think that was some debris and a shadow.

[irul&ublo]

How do you know so much about swallows?

More than your mom?

[ntblanks]

I think cobalt 60 is kinda magnetic...

Pretty sure Cobalt's one of the other magnetic metals.

Google agrees with you. So, at least it's not plutonium. But does Cobalt / Cobalt - 60 rust?

[ntblanks]

Sniff. Bite. Taste. That order. No exceptions or deviation.

If it passes, then pee on it. Wait three days. Still there? Then, yup it's lead or led. Science!

.

[bonewrenched]

Nope, only dirt bags and meth heads.

Pretty sure if you sprinkle meth on magnetic steel it tastes like plaid and smells like rainbows. Try it out and report back.

[AK47bp]

I actually think that was some debris and a shadow.

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[snoqpass]

Seemed pretty hard. Definitely not lead.

Determining density is what my nephew suggested, too. I'll take the measurements but not for a few weeks - heading out of town tomorrow.


Took some close ups:

looks like a shim from raising the house

[ntblanks]

looks like a shim from raising the house

Interesting. Steel shims are a thing? It wasn't wedged in tight, but that could have been several decades ago. Seems plausible.

[jono]

Monolith protoype. Did the prior owners move to the desert?

[JimmyCarter]

It's an original tungsten cube(-ish)! see if stalefish will buy it off you, crypto people love those.

[::: :::]

Yeah, steel shim is a thing. It seems unlikely in wood construction tho.
I’m thinking it’s a piece of steel but no idea what it was for or why it was in your basement

[nickwm21]

A steel shim would be 4” x 4” x X/X” dimension. A steel shim would be cut out of flat stock steel and have somewhat sharp edges. It’d also likely be more rusty if it had been sitting around for years.

Because it’s relatively clean and has chamfered edges I feel like it’s a sample of some stainless steel alloy


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[chicken feathers]

Ya, a chunk of steel bar stock is what my first thought was. The guy I bought my place from was a metalsmith in his free time, and left behind all sorts of similar pieces for me.

The call to poison control cracked me up.

[snoqpass]

A steel shim would be 4” x 4” x X/X” dimension. A steel shim would be cut out of flat stock steel and have somewhat sharp edges. It’d also likely be more rusty if it had been sitting around for years.

Because it’s relatively clean and has chamfered edges I feel like it’s a sample of some stainless steel alloy


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Steel shims come in all different thicknesses and sizes, I was a Journeyman Ironworker we used stuff just like that

[snoqpass]

Interesting. Steel shims are a thing? It wasn't wedged in tight, but that could have been several decades ago. Seems plausible.

Wood will shrink over time plus settlement of the house. The house could have been raised to level it or add a new foundation at some point in time