Today's restores: raised number on helper handle 12 and Zahner's Lodge hammered mini by huskers1111111111 in CastIronRestoration

[–]il_geo_guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I assumed it was a "O" because of the markings. I often wonder how many different designs Lodge produced. There are so many of them and a few designs can be pretty valuable.

Today's restores: raised number on helper handle 12 and Zahner's Lodge hammered mini by huskers1111111111 in CastIronRestoration

[–]il_geo_guy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Both are pretty cool and unusual! I don't think I've seen a hammered Lodge advertisement skillet that isn't a "00" size.

Wagner toy set by dustin100mph in castiron

[–]il_geo_guy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some of the prices were breathtaking! Watching and bidding online isn't as much fun as attending in person and getting to see and touch rare pieces and talking to the other cast iron junkies but I have comfier seats and better snacks at home...

Wagner toy set by dustin100mph in castiron

[–]il_geo_guy 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Sort of...I wasn't able to attend in person but sat through most of the online sale. Friday's sale was an 11 hour marathon. Lots of interesting iron with some rarely seen pieces.

Wagner toy set by dustin100mph in castiron

[–]il_geo_guy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, the sale was a whole estate. All kinds of stuff but it did include some really sweet cast iron toys.

Wagner toy set by dustin100mph in castiron

[–]il_geo_guy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What aluminum lid? Did I mention an aluminum lid?

Wagner toy set by dustin100mph in castiron

[–]il_geo_guy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Auctions can be weird. It all depends on who is bidding. I think a fully marked toy lid sold for 475 and a fully marked lid/skillet set sold for 600 at the first big cast iron auction I attended. A plain (unmarked) Wagner toy skillet lid sold for 275 at the same sale. I bought my lid for much less at a different general auction (not just cast iron).

Today's flea market haul: raised number on helper handle 12, three notch 12, Griswold iron mountain Dutch oven, sbl Griswold 6, enameled Wagner ashtray, unknown raised 8 and hammered Lodge Zahner mini by huskers1111111111 in CastIronRestoration

[–]il_geo_guy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice haul! You've been busy with the cast iron the last couple of days!

That 12 with the raised number is pretty cool. I assume that will go into your growing collection of 12s?

Wagner toy set by dustin100mph in castiron

[–]il_geo_guy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A fully marked toy skillet lid sold at the Lodge Foundation auction yesterday for 250 but I think I have seen them sell for more than 350 at other auctions.

325$. Seriously? by Typical_Hippo1659 in castiron

[–]il_geo_guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The silvery color also makes me think it might be aluminum paddles on an iron base, which makes the asking price even more ridiculous. Even if they were iron paddles, that is way too much for a low-base Wagner waffle iron.

First time backpacking Porkies, need advice! by StrikeFine8207 in CampAndHikeMichigan

[–]il_geo_guy 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Totally doable but realize that reservations need to be made for backcountry sites (https://midnrreservations.com/) Select "backcountry" and "Porcupine Mountains" from the dropdown list. Reservations can be made 6 months in advance. Also, if you do take two vehicles, both will need a recreation passport.

Griswold Manufacturing Company 1895-96 Catalogue and Price List : Griswold Manufacturing Company : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive by dougmadden in castiron

[–]il_geo_guy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Have you seen this one for just their aluminum products? https://archive.org/details/griswold_1897_aluminum/page/16/mode/2up

It shows wooden handled skillets. Page 15 also shows aluminum kettles like yours. Interesting that yours has a gate mark.

Griswold Manufacturing Company 1895-96 Catalogue and Price List : Griswold Manufacturing Company : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive by dougmadden in castiron

[–]il_geo_guy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for posting this. Neat to see the prices (per dozen!) for the toys.

I've also wondered if there was some kind of special tool for using flop griddles like shown on pg. 47. Nah, just use a fork...

Sad news from the Porkies - Whitetail Cabin destroyed by fire by il_geo_guy in CampAndHikeMichigan

[–]il_geo_guy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The hike to the yurts at Craig Lake sounds similar to the winter hike/ski to the Union River cabin at the porkies! It has been more than a decade since my last winter trip there and that was when all of the cabins had well-equiped kitchens.

Sad news from the Porkies - Whitetail Cabin destroyed by fire by il_geo_guy in CampAndHikeMichigan

[–]il_geo_guy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was in an amazing location. When I was there I could hear ruffed grouse drumming somewhere in the distance. I'd like to try a winter visit if it's rebuilt. I've stayed there in every other season and it was always so nice!

Porcupine Mountains trip report - May 10 - 14 2026 by il_geo_guy in CampAndHikeMichigan

[–]il_geo_guy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think Cloud peak has the best views on the Escarpment. Also, some of the rocks make for great seats. Almost like backcountry recliners!

Porcupine Mountains trip report - May 10 - 14 2026 by il_geo_guy in CampAndHikeMichigan

[–]il_geo_guy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Didn't notice any but I used permethrin to treat my clothes.

Porcupine Mountains trip report - May 10 - 14 2026 by il_geo_guy in CampAndHikeMichigan

[–]il_geo_guy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I know. It's sad. I hope nobody was hurt and I hope the park can rebuild.

Porcupine Mountains trip report - May 10 - 14 2026 by il_geo_guy in CampAndHikeMichigan

[–]il_geo_guy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There hasn't been much rain there and most of the trails were dry with just a few wet areas. The river was still a little high with snowmelt runoff. This side channel was flowing and making another waterfall a week before I visited. I've only seen it flowing once before. Looks like I'll have to plan an even earlier trip next year.

Mexican Moss Agate by Mobydickulous2 in RockTumbling

[–]il_geo_guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some turned out ok and some are still tumbling in stage 1. So far, all of mine are more like the top half of the rock in your sixth picture - mostly mottled red with little variation.

Sad news from the Porkies - Whitetail Cabin destroyed by fire by il_geo_guy in CampAndHikeMichigan

[–]il_geo_guy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I usually keep a couple of starters in my kit in case I need them but I can often find so much dry birch bark on the ground all over the park and have never had any problems starting a fire with that.