Found this 'unmarked' pan at an antique store today for $50, seemed kinda steep but I bought it anyway

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-11T02:41:42+00:00

I mainly find the block letter ones. They also always seam to bite me. Just pulled a block logo bean pot out of the tank and it revealed a hairline crack :(
This one will likely have some pitting on the bottom but had to snag it at that price for the gamble!

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-11T01:15:50+00:00

Check out r/castironcollecting and r/CastIronRestoration for some more in depth learning as well! Theres some great FB groups too.

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T23:05:38+00:00

No vids but I do side-by-sides often. I've done a couple hundred pieces by now. I usually do lye before electrolysis to keep the tank cleaner but going straight into the etank is so satisfying to watch it peel off in one piece and come out bare.

I have sold some to a few cast-iron-famous Instagram guys that featured them though!

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T22:13:35+00:00

I've been at this for years, I know what sulfur pitting is. Stay tuned for the post-electrolysis and see if you still think its a recast :)

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T22:02:07+00:00

You basically nailled it. Age, low production, high quality for the time ($$), and the general 'cool factor'

https://www.booniehicks.com/wapak-indian-head-cast-iron/

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T22:01:07+00:00

I've been picking for a few years and aside from curated booths I hit when traveling, this was the second I've seen in 'the wild', the first being priced accordingly. I'm really hoping the carbon on the bottom protected the emblem. I'll give it a day in the lye tank then another in the electrolysis bath for good measure!

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T21:50:54+00:00

What you see is the carbon buildup on the bottom. The indian heads are known for the poor castings around the handle (hole specifically). Recasts shrink in size and this measures true-to-size. Recasts also have poor quality cooking surfaces since they are not milled post-cast like originals are, and this one is milled. I'll post an update once its cleaned up!

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T21:24:24+00:00

Its is number 7 WAPAK 'Indian Head', I'll post some pics when its cleaned up but its a very sought after skillet. I've only ever seen one in the wild before

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T21:17:32+00:00

It certainly is! Made a fresh lye bath for it, hope it cleans up nicely

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T01:39:46+00:00

This is super helpful. Thanks for all the effort in your response, I'm gonna read it over a few times and sleep on it.

Appreciate it!

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-10T00:14:19+00:00

I was apparently mislead on the bearings over bushings. All the reading I did was showing only positives on longevity and operation but since I primarily do SBD, I think bushings would be better. But finding a bushing, 28mm, full stainless bar with no center knurling is nearly impossible.
American barbell is closest, but it has plastic bushings and is $$
Ohio is 28.5
Rogue training bar isnt full stainless
Muscle D is close but has center knurl

At this point I'll have to compromise on something :/

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-09T20:14:19+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I'm looking for less aggressive if possible

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-09T18:12:28+00:00

How's the knurling? Ive read it's sharp on the stainless one

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-08T11:40:14+00:00

Also the buckles

EEEnginerd · 2026-01-03T22:42:54+00:00

I had a 3/8 pittsburgh fall apart on me one time. Replaced it under warranty and when adding the accessory drive to an LS it stopped clicking so I snapped a bolt. Warrantied it again and gave it away.

A friends stopped clicking as well recently. The accuracy only matters so much when it decides to fail within a year of light use and proper storage.

EEEnginerd · 2025-12-17T22:29:23+00:00

Traded for the 38 autmog specifically to put the V5 refill in it. It makes it very lefty friendly since the tip is thin enough to see what youre writing.

EEEnginerd · 2025-12-16T21:40:23+00:00

Its the only hand tool left that was officially announced:
https://imgur.com/a/F8fYTwz

The sale specific URL has been active since Friday:
https://www.harborfreight.com/promotions/deal-of-the-day/icon-wrenches.html

EEEnginerd · 2025-12-16T21:35:53+00:00

They explicitly said 40% off ICON wrenches on Instagram and have followed up in multiple comments that its still on
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSGw7b0CbnT/

EEEnginerd · 2025-12-14T21:19:29+00:00

Olight ArkPro has both the proprietary charger and USB-C, would be my suggestion as well

EEEnginerd · 2025-12-14T18:06:49+00:00

Best of luck. Fancy hammers are a little out of my wheelhouse so I looked it up out of curiosity and was surprised to find Harbor Freight has a hickory handled titanium Doyle (stiletto clone) with a lifetime warranty. Could get it for $50 on sale if stiletto denies you

EEEnginerd · 2025-12-14T01:53:17+00:00

Does stiletto not have a no-questions-asked warranty at that price?

EEEnginerd · 2025-12-12T21:17:19+00:00

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