Smelting lead setup

M

Moose_Master

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Montreal
I'm getting ready to start rolling my own. I am thinking on buying what I need of good quality from the beginning and not replacing and buying over and over equipment. This post is only about the initial smelting process of transforming WW in lead ingots all fluxed and cleaned properly.
Here is what I decided to buy so any different idea would be appreciated. Constructive criticism is welcomed. I want to keep the expenses as low possible but not the quality because as I said above I want to buy only once and be set for many years to come.
Here I go:
1. A solid stand up burner fueled by a propane tank from Canadian tire. http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/masterchef-stand-fryer-0853259p.html#.VwHIJfkrJD9
2. A pot that with take a beating for many years also from canadian tire. http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/camp-chef-cast-iron-dutch-oven-12-in-0763592p.html#.VwHIbfkrJD8
3. A thermometer to keep the temperature under control at all times so in case one zinc WW got lost in the already sorted by my hands WW won't ruin my cast. http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/lead_thermometer.htm
4. A ladle bottom pour to pour the lead in the molds. http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/ladle2.htm

The skimmer I'll buy it from Dollarama.

Now I do have a question. Is it any advantage on using a solid dutch oven as in the link above over a cheap kitchen pot? Who casted before may give me a first hand experience input.
So my 200$ set up looks good? Did I miss something? Do you think is quality enough in here and will last, or I'm just kidding myself?

Thank you in advance gents.
 
Princess auto has these cast iron pots, they do not have a lid.
I was looking at them last week and they looked pretty good for the money.
The sales clerk said they go on sale sometimes.
10 in. Cast Iron Hanging Pot
SKU: 8584492
Weight: 7.0 lbs

Price: $26.99
 
I have that same burner, and built a skirt around the burner to funnel more heat to the 7"cast iron pot I use, as most of the heat was lost out the side.
For ladle casting, I would get the smaller Rowell #1 ladle, and for pouring ingots, a dollar store soup ladle is fine.
 
Thanx gentlemen for your input. I dropped from the list that fancy ladle and bought a cheap one with wood handle. The pot in the link I got it for 15$. Thanx for the idea of covering the sides of the burner to minimize the heat loss. I'll do that for sure.

What should I use for fluxing. Some say saw dust some candles. Any idea from first hand experience?
Thank y'all
 
I cut the top off an old freon tank and use a propane fired tiger torch to heat the lead. Use various things to Flux the mix, tea light candles, sawdust, marvelflux.
 
sawdust. i'd dump the thermometer think i got my ladel at princess much cheaper the pot seems to be discontinued here but looks nice, the lid will keep the heat in. keep it on until the lead starts to melt good, then you can add more to the mix. the zinc ones will be easy to spot.
 
That's why I had the thermometer in mind to make sure IF by accident one zinc weigh goes into the pot it will not melt if I know the temperature at all times. Not going over 650F will be a reassurance of having ONLY the lead melted.
Thanx for the input. I'll buy saw dust and forget about candles.
 
Any woodworker with a dust collector will have all the saw dust you want. Even a chop saw produce tons of saw dust.

A thermometer in the smelter pot can be a PITA. Clip can be finicky, don't let it fall into the pot. Need to take it out when fluxing as you need to light the candy/dust. Just watch the lead, as it starts to melt stir in solid pieces till it all melts, scoop out anything floating. At melt point looks like milkshake with all the zinc/FE floating on top.

WW stinks with nasty black smoke when smelted so be sure to do it in open area.
 
Moose_Master said:
Thanx gentlemen for your input. I dropped from the list that fancy ladle and bought a cheap one with wood handle. The pot in the link I got it for 15$. Thanx for the idea of covering the sides of the burner to minimize the heat loss. I'll do that for sure.

What should I use for fluxing. Some say saw dust some candles. Any idea from first hand experience?
Thank y'all
Click to expand...

The pot you listed is discontinued at CTC.
 
Thank you kindly gents for the advices and suggestions. Much obliged. One more time is proven that this place is worth staying on.

The cast iron pot it may be discontinued but all I can tell it is in my room as we speak. My wife bought it yesterday for a super price.

Everything that goes in contact with molten lead MUST be dry. Thanks again for the reminder. Safety calls are never to many. I also have a specialized face mask for lead fumes. It is damn expensive but my health is priceless so I don't care about the price. Now I need a face shield but Reno Depot has only cheapy humpty-dumpty face shields. I'll keep searching.

Now with the thermometer. Burnaby, you're right in what are u saying but I'm a human and I can do mistakes. If by accident zinc WW melts into the pot I will ruin 20 lbs of lead. The thermometer is 37$ so having one will probably save me from frustration and disappointing moments. Experienced casters can see just by looking in the pot but I'm just a rookie into casting chapter.

I'm in a middle of a deal with a specialized company who sells lead ingots. If I manage to get a decent price I'll buy 500-1000 lbs of lead ingots and I won't worry about thermometers and heavy fumes anymore. They'll go straight into the furnace for the final stage of casting bullets.

Thanx again gentlemen.
 
3-5% zinc actually hardens the alloy and is not detrimental to the mix. You may need to add little more tin to help with fill out.

I always presort all my tire weights, its just what I do. I have yet to use a mask or face shield but I do ware safety glasses, gloves and a cotton smock. I always smelt outside and play the wind. If you feel better with all the gear by all means use it.
 
Keep an eye on your smelt, when the melt won't stick to the clips on the COWWs, stir and zinc and steel will float. I agree not to contaminate with zinc. I used to sort diligently, now I just watch for the dull clips and stir/skim. Never had a bad batch and no more filthy sorting. Never owned a thermometer.
Be safe
 
I presort my wheel weights too. Piece by piece. Takes forever but is way better than watching TV. At least for me. But as I said I'm a human and I can do mistakes and ruin a 20 lbs pot of yummy lead coz of few zinc weights. I already ordered the thermometer so is a done deal. I'll let y'all know if the thermometer is worth it or not.

On a side note I would like to post the contact e-mail and number of a sales person from a big company who sell lead. I finally managed to find a company whp deal lead on industrial scale BUT sale also to individuals. It is the only company from Montreal area who does that. And trust me I called 40+ companies.
I need to get ahold of an admin or someone responsible with these things so I won't violate any policy here.
I don't want to post it on EE because is not me who sells it. I DO NOT make any money out of it. I am just trying to help other guys like me who struggle to find lead. Going from garage to garage is not funny at all and who sell the used WW will sell the whole bucket zinc and iron regardless and that's total crap.
This company sells pure lead ingots so no smelting required. They also sell different lead alloys for casting harder bullets for higher velocities. Just talk to the guy and tell him what you need. They sale a minimum of 250 lbs at 2$/lb. Who want less can find someone else and buy together.
I got form myself 500 lbs and after I set up my equipment I'll buy another 500 lbs. The bigger the amount the lower the price. I bought mine for 1.9$/lb.
So if anyone can guide me on where I can post the contact of this company please do so. I've been helped many times by people on CGN and I'd like to pay back in a way or another.
Thanx again for tips gents.
 
You can put that information right here, no problem. Just no hotlinking to websites, as in leave out the www part.
 
I will copy&paste the last e-mail I got from them so who reads it understands that I am not intermediate anything. I'm just trying to help the CGN-ers from Quebec with finding lead ingots. If there is any part that you don't like just remove it but I'll post it the way it is in all honesty.

Hi,

Those ingots are made of Pure Lead without any antimony. We manufacture many lead alloys if you would like one with antimony. For you information, we already sell those types of lead to some companies making commercial bullets. This lead has a Brinell Hardness averaging between 7 and 8.5.

We would be happy if you could refer us to other shooters, you can give them my email address and direct line without any problem. Concerning the minimum order, it is 500$ so around at least 250 pounds. The price will vary depending on the quantity ordered and also the lead market changes everyday so we won't be able to hold quotes for many days.

Arnaud Pouliot
Représentant Aux Ventes Industrielles / Industrial Sales Representative
AIM Métaux & Alliages / AIM Metals & Alloys
T : 514-494-5502 / C : 514-210-8188 / F : 514-494-6133
apouliot@aimsolder.com
 
Get a muffin pan and a cookie sheet with the rim all they way around for th muffin pan to sit in. With water in the cookie sheet you muffin ingots solidify super fast. Cost you $2 at a second hand store.
 
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