Hi guys. The knowledge and expertise on this board never ceases to amaze me, even when the topic is NOT casting, reloading, shooting, etc. So here's my dilemma for today.
I came across my old Mag Lite 2 D cell flashlight. I've had this thing since the 80s. Unfortunately, the battery (batteries? I can't get past the first one to tell) had corroded/leaked, and the entire thing is just fused in place. A soak in some vinegar loosened up all the crap I could get at down at the base, and I dug that out with a screwdriver fairly easily. Problem seems to be the whole side of at least the first battery is just fused in with all that dried white powdery concrete. I've successfully salvaged things in the past that had milder cases of old battery leakage, but this is easily the worst I've ever seen. What to do?
How nasty/dangerous/poisonous are the insides of these things (batteries?) I was thinking I could drill out the center of the batteries an then pry them inwards?
I love the challenge of saving things like this, but if I'm risking my life or chancing growing a third thumb, I'm willing to concede defeat. And yes I realize I could just buy a new flashlight. That's not the point.
Who knows about these things??