Mystery Gunk in Sprit

[hpeer]

Cutting off my sprit to replace it I find it is filled with some kind of black material. Kind of like dirt, but a bit more fluffy. It can be packed down, but is not as I uncovered it.

No discernible smell. Black. Not the least bit oily.

The sprit, a 3"x3" box beam, mild steel, was packed about 2/3 full of this stuff.

What the heck is it?

And............as a bonus question..........

Bought a brand new Rigid 7" grinder. Stuck in a cutting wheel and was cutting off boat bits. Wore out the wheel and am trying to get it off to replace the wheel. No can do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Damn thing won't come off. Used the spanner, used Vice Grips. I have a bunch of other grinders, my other 7" grinder died so I bought this new one. So I know how they work.

Something about the arbor nut is wrong and it is now jammed.

I stuck it in the freezer overnight, and I'll try it when I get home.

If that doesn't work I put a propane torch on it.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Therapy]

My guess would be that the sprit was foam filled and has deteriorated to what you see now.

As far as the bonus, I am guessing you are turning the nut the wrong way. I am not all that smart so I would read the manual that came with it.

[hpeer]

Thanks, but not foam, too dense. It fells more like loose dirt.

Not turning it the wrong way, Wife made me check, she knows my limitations!

[DeepFrz]

A good picture of black stuff might help.

[SailPenelope]

May have been wood at one time. I've had wood turn into a mysterious peat-like substance........

[hpeer]

Deep, thought of that, maybe this coming weekend I will remember. But think black potting soil. It dries kinda powdery.

SailPen, it's all through an eight foot long tube, that has a 5/8" pin through it. Must have been packed in there.

[justlearnin]

If you are talking about getting the wheel off keep in mind the nut turns opposite to the direction the grinder turns. Other wise it would come loose all the time . Push in the lock and turn the wrench <G>
don't put heat on the grinder cause it has a rubber inset that you will melt.

[hpeer]

Thanks for the heat tip. I was gonna do that.

[hpeer]

Took the grinder out of the freezer. Managed to bend the spanner.

YES, YES, YES. I AM TURNING IT THE RIGHT WAY!

[micah719]

Does the mystery gunk burn? The smell might identify what it is/was. I suspect it is bellybutton fluff from seabirds landing on the sprit.

Take the grinder back and let them worry about it. Give them some seagull bellybutton fluff as a token of gratitude.

[hpeer]

Yeah, I'm gonna take it back to Home Depot. Kinda feel stupid though.

[perchance]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Took the grinder out of the freezer. Managed to bend the spanner.

YES, YES, YES. I AM TURNING IT THE RIGHT WAY!

If the retainer nut is the type with four holes in the face, have someone hold the grinder with the lock engaged while you smack the nut with a hammer and pin punch in the direction of removal. This usually never fails.

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by perchance

If the retainer nut is the type with four holes in the face, have someone hold the grinder with the lock engaged while you smack the nut with a hammer and pin punch in the direction of removal. This usually never fails.

I think I'll try returning it first. Easiest solution may be to whine sufficiently.

If that doesn't work, yes, YES, YES, a bigger hammer.

[micah719]

I think I'll try returning it first. Easiest solution may be to whine sufficiently.

If that doesn't work, yes, YES, YES, a bigger hammer.

That's the spirit!

Clerk: "No, we're not replacing this grinder you wrecked!"

Hpeer: <clouts clerk on knuckles with dinky little tack-hammer>

Clerk: "Ow! No, you still can't have a new grinder!"

Hpeer: <clouts clerk on kneecap with sledgehammer>

Clerk: "Would you like a complimentary microplane disk and a pack of cutoff wheels with your new grinder, Sir?"

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by micah719

That's the spirit!

Clerk: "No, we're not replacing this grinder you wrecked!"

Hpeer: <clouts clerk on knuckles with dinky little tack-hammer>

Clerk: "Ow! No, you still can't have a new grinder!"

Hpeer: <clouts clerk on kneecap with sledgehammer>

Clerk: "Would you like a complimentary microplane disk and a pack of cutoff wheels with your new grinder, Sir?"

Heee, heee, heeee.