What is this large rusted metal thing with lots of spring-loaded bolts bolts sticking out of it? It has dense timber inside it and weighs about 30-40kg. About 400mm diameter.
Posted Jul 20, 2022, 8:53 AM UTC
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This looks like a bearing of some sort. Oil-impregnated wood is used on wet bearings like ship's propellers. The spring-loaded bolts could be there to keep it under a specfic amount of pre-load.
Something like this:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=lignum+vitae+bearing&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images
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Thanks. We’re in a coastal area (old whaling town) so I think this is close.
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My title describes the thing. It was found in New Zealand (coastal area, former whaling port). The other side not shown in the photo is filled with thick, dense timber. The bolts all have large springs or perhaps washers on them. We thought it could be something to do with a ship’s mast or a train? Thanks in advance, Reddit!
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So the bolts on top are breakaway bolts that snap off when they are tightened to a certain pound. They have already been snapped off. Looks Like something you would put on pipe. Hope this bit helps. Looking at it is looks similar to a well head cap. Possibly it was a hollow wood cased well? I know we have to fill them and cap old wells in the US due to children falling into them.
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Thanks!
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I'm thinking something to do with pile driving, maybe the hammer cushion. Is there a bridge nearby?
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Hey fellow kiwi here, is this near any railroad? The bolts are identical to the kind used on our railways so if it’s nearby it’s something to do with that 🙂
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Not near per se but could be something from a railroad if those are the bolts used. Maybe the timber is the stuff used for railway sleepers 🤷🏻♂️
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Drilling head? Maybe those square headed things are replaceable "teeth"?
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Some kind of boring head, with replaceable teeth. Used in bridge building.
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The hub of a wagon wheel?
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lol it lookes like a sea mine
-23
Not at all, you've watched too much Hollywood.
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hehe i just remembered that one scene from finding nemo
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There is a good chance that is a live explosive. I would leave it and call someone to come check it out.
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Very unlikely to be an explosive as that is something that isn’t really found here and it’s filled with timber and has railway screws running through
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Some kind of clutch?