My latest acquisition was a second Potter Model C casting pot. Plugged it in and got it drained of the questionable contents and was able to scrape, poke and Dremel wire brush out the innards to an acceptable level. I turned my attention to the outside. the baseplate screw actually came out and i was able to pull off the outer shield/insulation.
I should have taken pictures, ill try to describe it, now exposed is the internal post connections and heating element. The heating element is a wire coil type wrapped around the cast iron pot and secured with a hardened white substance that is crumbling a bit at the two ends where the wires go back to the post. The exposed coils are about 3/8 in in length
This is where my trouble/concern lies, any idea if what this material could be? it seems to be the consistency of a hardish chalk or almost a gypsum consistency, i would not be surprised if it might be an asbestos paper machea. I think leaving the coils exposed could eventually lead to a hotspot/coil burnout. Any thoughts on a replacement filler like wallboard compound?
Ill try to grab a picture tonight