Workers Of Wood

I was passing slabs of maple and walnut through the DW 735 to thickness for a new cutting board when much to my surprise should I see but the two culprits shown below. Both remnants are very tiny and were in the same piece of walnut about 18" apart. As the cuts were less than 1/32" I didn't see either piece until the very last pass. Neither piece is magnetic either. All materials were purchased at a reputable wood retailer. I haven't examined the cutters for damage yet but will prior to making any further passes.

Possible old lead shot?

Could be lead shotgun pellets.

Nothing to worry about damage if they are lead,which I would guess they are. If they were iron, I think there would be a sign rust around them. Test with a magnet.
HErb

I did test both with a magnet and neither one was attracted.
Had not thought about the "rust" angle. Thanks.

So, what do you do now Jon? Leave them in or cut around them.? Nor sure if you would want them in a cutting board, probably wouldn't
hurt anything, and would be conversation pieces.

Bushwhacker

I have been gathering up material for Cutting boards and stashing them away for this summer when my son will be coming to visit. He wants me to show him how to make cutting boards.
I plan to start him of with a plain long grain board , then advance to end grain , then maybe chaotic. I like them.
I sent him a chaotic board this last Christmas and that seems to have peeked his interest.
Who knows, he may even ask what the other machines in my shop are for and how thy work. What is this world coming to.
6 kids, 17 grand kids, 3 great grands and one has finally shown an interest in wood other then some thing to pick your teeth with.
my my !!

Bushwhacker

@Bushwhacker

I decided to cut those pieces out and after I photographed them I split them with an old chisel to see what was there. One was just a tiny piece that would just fit into a micrometer. It was about .03". The other piece was just a flake.

That is great news about your sons interest in cutting boards. Hopefully that will lead to an expanded hobby. A good plan to start him with a long grain board. My neighbor wanted to make one for his wife and that is what I started him with. He enjoyed the process but his wife refused to use it, "too pretty" she said. So, he gave it to his son who uses it heavily and now his wife wants him to build her another one. So, another project to share.