Apologies if this isn't the right forum. I have a block of lead that was poured into a coffee can long ago. Managed to cut the tin off but now to get small enough hunks of it to fit in my melting pot. Tried cutting it with various saws and blades, not much luck. Only have a propane camp stove for outside and I doubt there's enough BTU for that to work, or is there? Guess I'd need a cast iron pan to try that. Any suggestions out there? Thanks.
Cutting a block of lead.
- Thread starter lyman54
- Start date
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Can't help you directly, but if you apply direct torch heat, like with a propane torch, tiger torch, oxy acetylene, it will melt, but you will overheat the lead and get ingots with blue and gold colours. You can probably guess how I discovered that! If I were in your shoes, I would probably try cutting it up with my big chisels, or an axe - use the shearing / cutting action - the lead should yield. I tried many saw types, including skil saw, hand saw, hack saw, jig saw, reciprocating saw and none got more than an inch or two before seizing in place. If you can get a $2 cast fry pan, might try tiger torch underneath - would melt before tempering the lead?? If you build wind/heat shield around pot and stove, I have melted 10 lbs or more at a time on a two burner Coleman propane camp stove - in a flat bottom cast iron bucket - took 1/2 hour before it was melted.
Should have melted it in the tin coffee can. Then poured/scooped it into a liquid graphite coated muffin tin. Buy a plumbers propane torch and melt it into a graphite coated muffin tray. Cutting it is a lot of work. Ask the guys who cut a sailboat keel in pieces. Chainsaws with extra oil poured on.
Borrow a buddy's dutch oven?
Just kidding! Maybe a steel pail 16lt -20lt on tope of a propane burner like the ones used to deep fry a turkey might work.
I have cut much smaller sizes with a power saw, it took two of us a long time, not fun at all.
You could try a place that recycles metals,they have big press cutters, maybe for a small fee they would chop it for ya, it might be worth it.
Just kidding! Maybe a steel pail 16lt -20lt on tope of a propane burner like the ones used to deep fry a turkey might work.
I have cut much smaller sizes with a power saw, it took two of us a long time, not fun at all.
You could try a place that recycles metals,they have big press cutters, maybe for a small fee they would chop it for ya, it might be worth it.
Put a piece of steel mesh/ expanded metal (mine has 3/4" holes) over a steel pail half full of water heat the block with a tiger torch the lead melts through the mesh like rain drops and cools in the water making a bunch of pellets that will fit easily into your furnace. I salvaged a lot of lead that way.
I should mention to do this outside with a respirator
I should mention to do this outside with a respirator
257Roberts
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Peterborough ON
Head to the second hand store.
Find a 2$ pot that will hold the chunk of lead.
Fire up the camp stove and have at it.
Ladle the lead to smaller ingots. I use muffin tins. You can pick up one at the second hand store.
Use the pot later to smelt wheel weights.
That's what I did.
David
Find a 2$ pot that will hold the chunk of lead.
Fire up the camp stove and have at it.
Ladle the lead to smaller ingots. I use muffin tins. You can pick up one at the second hand store.
Use the pot later to smelt wheel weights.
That's what I did.
David
redbirddog
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Maple Syrup land Ontario
thrift store, buy a cheap SS pot
melt down on camp stove
pour into muffin tins
melt down on camp stove
pour into muffin tins
