Preparing lead for casting.

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  • Last Post 19 September 2010
Joe B. posted this 02 June 2010

:( I have about 7# of dirty lead slugs that I dug out of the dirt backstop at our local range. I have several slugs that have a copper jacket still attached. How do I get the jacket off so I can salvage the lead core?  It seems like a venture of futility but I would like the info even if it is “throw away the jacketed stuff".  :coffee

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RicinYakima posted this 02 June 2010

Just dump it all togather and melt it. Just clean the trash out of it as you cast ingots. Then clean your pot well! Ric

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Joe B. posted this 02 June 2010

What do you use as a strainer to skim off the debris?

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LWesthoff posted this 02 June 2010

I dunno 'bout these other bartenders, but I use a big, long handled slotted spoon like cooks use to stir pots on the stove. It's got a wood handle so it doesn't get hot. I was going to try to be more specific, and I asked my wife “what do you call this kind of spoon?"

She said “That's a slotted spoon."

Anyway, it works great.

Wes

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Joe B. posted this 02 June 2010

Excellent-got one of those.Thanks Wes.

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RicinYakima posted this 02 June 2010

And for the fine stuff, I bought a stainless ladle from goodwill for $1 and drilled a couple of really small holes in the bottom.

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leadsquirter posted this 04 June 2010

Don't throw that jacket material away after the melt. I just melted a bunch of outdoor range scrap a couple of weeks ago and got 220 lbs. of lead for casting and 78 lbs. of jacket material which I just took to the scrap yard this morning and got $1.35/lb. for it.

Please make sure you wear a full face shield along with safety glasses when you do this. They are only $4.99 at Harbor Freight,

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Joe B. posted this 07 June 2010

Excellent advice--I would have thrown away the copper jackets--What about a tea strainer for a strainer--did I just say that? :shock:

 

 

 

 

I grow too soon old & too late smart.:( 

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jppr26 posted this 07 June 2010

watch out for the ones that are FMJ, some have a plain lead base these are ok, but the ones that have a solid jacket will bulge till they bust, and in my case shot a needle size stream of hot lead about 4'. I found that if i try to crush them with a pair of channel locks first that they don't squirt on ya as much.

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JetMech posted this 08 June 2010

jppr26 wrote: watch out for the ones that are FMJ, some have a plain lead base these are ok, but the ones that have a solid jacket will bulge till they bust, and in my case shot a needle size stream of hot lead about 4'. I found that if i try to crush them with a pair of channel locks first that they don't squirt on ya as much.LMAO! To bad the handle “leadsquirter” is already taken. :dance

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CB posted this 18 September 2010

Be sure and use Ed Harris's flux or it won't come out right. What was it Ed “Putrid bat guano” I believe you called it!

Beekeeper

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Joe B. posted this 18 September 2010

Wow--beekeeper, are you trying to steer me away from beeswax---?

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Brodie posted this 18 September 2010

According to the CDC in Atlanta : Using PUTRID BAT GUANO is contraindicated, due to the frequency of RABIES found in many bat colonies.  The afformentioned flux needs to be autoclaved for at least an hour at 245 F, and 24 psi prior to use.

B.E.Brickey

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jppr26 posted this 18 September 2010

i was lucky enough to find a large heap of parafin wax at a shooting pit, got almost a half of a 5gal bucket full. No more spelunking for this guy.

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Joe B. posted this 19 September 2010

Hey--good find--you might try casting your own wax bullets now. would that mean  they would have to be lubed with a thin coating of lead--Mmmmmmmm

just a thought ( Dad always told me not to think)

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hunterspistol posted this 19 September 2010

     Sometimes I tell the guys that casting takes no more coordination than using a long handled teaspoon.  That's a bit literal because, I took a teaspoon and drilled 1/8th” holes in it, about six.  That's what I use to strain out clips and crud.  I just had more teaspoons than other kitchenware and had an electric drill. 

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