Highland Lofts
Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2019
- Messages
- 3,037
Ii try it about 3/4s and see how it goes, I can always cut it down farther.
If you did decide to go this route, I would suggest you build in a way to inject air. A hand blower like on a forge would be a one time expense and really durable. A fan injection system would use power and would require better planning.I've been buying scrap lead and processing it for own personal use and to resell.
So far processed over two tons.
Fairly new to the lead scene and learned alot in the past few months.
Two times had magor water problems plus a couple smaller problems.
When I first got into the lead scene I bought a new five quart cast iron Dutch Oven and borrowed a propane burner. Took three out dated 20 pound propane thanks it to 7/11 and got three fresh full tanks.
Now I can take them to the local Co-op and get them refilled.
I watched a butt load of melting lead videos on YouTube and learned a lot with the videos.
You can tell who has been at it and who is new to the game.
I seen two videos that recommended the GAS ONE propane burner. So I spent the $100 and bought one from Amazon.
Money well spent, it does work a lot better then the two that I borrowed. It does melt the lead down faster then the older version burners.
The only problem is the cast burner is twelve inches in diameter and the new cast iron Dutch Oven is around ten & a half inches so the flame wants to travel up the sides. So to correct that iwill pick up a piece of 3/8ths to a 1/2 inch piece of plate steel and have it cut to the size of the propane burner frame, 16 inches x 16 inches then have a 10 & 1/2 inch circle cut out in the middle so the Dutch Oven will fit perfect in the opening which will stop the flame from traveling up the sides.
One major safety concern is to leave the top on when you are not doing stuff to the lead, adding lead, cleaning the dress out, adding sawdust and candle wax.
I bought some roofing lead that had a lot of tar on it, once the lead melts and the tar turns to liquid tar it wants to burn. When first approach I turned the Gass of and tried scooping the goop out. I ended up throwing sawdust in to the burning mess and the flame went out and the soupy melted tar fused with the saw dust and became a powder that I took out with my slotted spoon.
Worked out really nice.
There is a bunch more to share if there are any of you who is interested.
We'll see where this goes.
https://www.rotometals.com/casting-ladle-bottom-pour-rowell-2-2-1-2-bowl-diameter-10-handle-length/Drilling lead is easy, for cutting a wood bandsaw works great for big stuff a chainsaw is good. I've been lable casting lately and is fine only thing is the bending over its nice to have a lead pot on the bench. The best long range black powder shooters all seem to Ladel cast since its the most consistent and fills the mold better. I'm looking for a ladel that has the funnel built in.
Don't think it will work for what I want to do, the one I'm talking let's you pour and the weight of the lead in the ladle helps fill the mold better.https://www.rotometals.com/casting-ladle-bottom-pour-rowell-2-2-1-2-bowl-diameter-10-handle-length/
try these...they work well in my opinion
Wow, 2 lbs. of lead. That's a big ladle. I think I will stick with the Lymans ladle. But I'm content with using 2 capacity molds.https://www.rotometals.com/casting-ladle-bottom-pour-rowell-2-2-1-2-bowl-diameter-10-handle-length/
try these...they work well in my opinion
Stack on the right come off today. I call it a rough smelt because it has not been fluxed and cleaned real good. Always outside playing the wind on this step. Roughly 20 pounds.I pray that with the volume your handling you have at least read the Osha safety requirements. I don't wish acute lead poisoning on anyone. I would also recommend you have your blood tested regularly. I hate being a safety nag, but I feel reloaders are my people....
Did you get your tester yet... do those values equate to a number?The flames running up the side of the Dutch oven heats the wire handle up and they want to bend.
I use a cheap ladle to scoop the lead out of the pot into the molds. When it gets low I pour the molten lead into a cast small cast iron frying pan and finish pouring ingots.
I completely empty the Dutch over each & every load if I am going to melt down another type of lead.
I have people taking soft lead
Mid-hardness lead
Hard lead.
I bought the SAECO tester but haven't used it yet, that checks the bullets.
I bought the Lee Hardness Tester and couldn't get it to read until I bought the microscope & flashlight stand.
View attachment 1071013
I can get a accurate reading now on my ingots.
My next purchase will be the
CABINE TREE HARDNESS TESTER
and get a out dated propane tank to cut it up for a melting pot.
I need to get some plastic milk crates for lead storage.
Proud aren't ya lol.This is a heavy subject
Don't think it will work for what I want to do, the one I'm talking let's you pour and the weight of the lead in the ladle helps fill the mold better.