Total beginner's question about melting lead

Big Bad

Big Bad

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As I said, total beginner and probably going to remain very occasional.

Any problem with using one of these 14 oz cast iron melting pots, outdoors only, to melt lead for pouring into molds? When I was a kid, I did it with soup cans but I want to fancy up.


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Nothing wrong with it as long as you can live with lead spills, mind you, over time you can probably get good enough that you won't have any.

I use something similar in my wood stove to process my pewter and any small amounts of stick on weights I get. Good for casting ingots.

Personally I would get some kind of small ladle from a thrift store for pouring into the molds, using the cast iron one for melting the lead and keeping it warm.
 
I found when melting down wheel weights that I end up with a lot of crap in the container - lots floats to top, but lots still stuck to walls. I have tried various "fluxes" but plain fine saw dust seems to work as well as anything, seems to work best if mixed into the lead melt. All this scraping / mixing means whatever container you use has to be set up quite stable, beside just the weight of the lead, you are also going to be "working" it. I would think your melting pot would work well - nice to have a handle and a pouring spout, but check how stable it sits on your hotplate or heat source. Just because the saw dust seems to work, I have a selection of "kindling" sticks that I use as my "stir stick / scraper", then a big spoon with holes to dip off the "grunge" that comes floating up.
 
Used to use one as a melting pot only, far too heavy and awkward to pour from. Also slag is on the top always gets in the way. I used an old school metal gravy ladle as a dipper and to pour from, held just over 1 oz, Used for Lee slug molds. Moved on to electric bottom pour pot style now for casting. Still use cast iron pot for melting and cleaning up used lead though.
 
Just re-read your post - 14 ounce for pouring into moulds - don't think that is such a good idea! Too big, therefore too heavy to have much control!! As above, a real "ladle" works best!! I think you will find that you want your "pouring" technique to become very repeatable - change how you pour and the bullets come out differently!!
 
And I would get something bigger to melt a batch in like a big pan or Dutch oven at least.

That way you only have to melt ingots occasionally and you have consistent ingots (so same hardness etc.)
 
Personally I'd opt for a bigger pot to melt and definitely get either the RCBS or LYMAN LADLE to do the pour. The pot you show would be too heavy and hot to handle for long. The LADLES are wonderful to use, very controlled pour.
 
i use an aluminum MUFFIN TIN for making ingots and an ALUMINUM POT with spout for pouring- for heat i use the old 2 burner coleman - main side only and a propane torch to "ENCOURAGE" the lead to flow freely- and lyman makes a good ladel
 
t-star said:
i use an aluminum MUFFIN TIN for making ingots and an ALUMINUM POT with spout for pouring- for heat i use the old 2 burner coleman - main side only and a propane torch to "ENCOURAGE" the lead to flow freely- and lyman makes a good ladel
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Just a note of caution. Aluminum can get heat stressed and sooner or later the aluminum will catastrophically fail. Never use an aluminum pot to process lead, molds are probably OK
 
There are a few old copper saucepans, smaller ones, around here that don't get used anymore because the original tin lining has worn away and they aren't that food safe anymore- been meaning to try relining them with lead free solder but I suppose I could maybe use one of them for melting lead. Copper is strong and has a pretty high melting point I believe.
 
Find an old cast iron Dutch oven,or even a 10" cast iron fry pan with a flat bottom.(they hold the heat)
Flux your lead with a bit of sawdust and skim off the slag with a slotted/perforated spoon.
Use a stainless steel ladle for filling your ingot molds.
You might be able to pick up the pot and spoons at your local second hand store.
 
A tiny bit (pea size) of candle wax works also good as flux.

For skimming I prefer a stainless sieve, you know the kitchen style ones with handle.
They are better and faster to get the crud off the top then a slotted spoon imo. (I used both so speaking from experience).
 
Unless you have a contraption to hold your pictured cast iron pot over your heat source, I would switch to a broad flat bottom pot. It doesn't have to be cast iron either. A good, reasonably thick, deep steel pot with a lid will do.

2nd hand stores are great source for pots, steel ladles, steel skimmers, and aluminum mini muffin tins. You also need a steel tin to deposit scooped off dross, copper jackets, WW clips etc.....

LEE makes an exceptionally priced & versitile 20 pound casting pot. Buy a 6 cavity mold in your caliber & get set to save.....
 
A 25 cent thrift store stainless steel pot on a Coleman stove is my go-to.

And any steel muffin tins that I find at the thrift store.

Get a decent ladle of a size for doing the bullets you are making, or buy a bottom pour pot.
 
Have to agree with the guys recommending a flat bottom pot, the one you show in post #1 looks like it would have to be held while heating up. An old dutch oven would be my first choice.
 
yomomma said:
Just a note of caution. Aluminum can get heat stressed and sooner or later the aluminum will catastrophically fail. Never use an aluminum pot to process lead, molds are probably OK
Click to expand...
i'm only casting for an old m/l so it doesn't get that hot - pure lead only and I've grown disinterested in doing the black powder thing
 
I picked up one of the small RCBS cast iron lead pots last year.

https://
1jpuRrdl.jpg


It holds around 10 pounds of lead with is plenty for my needs and is nice and stable with a wide flat bottom. I think I now have everything I need to try my hand at some basic casting, pot, side-pour dipper ladle, moulds, stove and of course lead. Anything else I'm missing...:confused:
I just need a warmish spring day so I can fire it up outside and see what I can cast...:rolleyes:
 
kc34 said:
I picked up one of the small RCBS cast iron lead pots last year.

https://
1jpuRrdl.jpg


It holds around 10 pounds of lead with is plenty for my needs and is nice and stable with a wide flat bottom. I think I now have everything I need to try my hand at some basic casting, pot, side-pour dipper ladle, moulds, stove and of course lead. Anything else I'm missing...:confused:
I just need a warmish spring day so I can fire it up outside and see what I can cast...:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Gloves,safety glasses,a flux of some kind (sawdust,beeswax,etc)slotted SS spoon for skimming slag,SS spoon for stirring and lifting slag (both with longish handles).
 
flyr said:
Gloves,safety glasses,a flux of some kind (sawdust,beeswax,etc)slotted SS spoon for skimming slag,SS spoon for stirring and lifting slag (both with longish handles).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info flyr, much appreciated.
I have most of that stuff but do need a couple spoons for stirring and for skimming slag.
As far as casting outside goes any suggestions for minimum air temp? I'm keen to get a pour going but no point if its too cool out there. Spring and warmer days are coming .....hopefully soon!:rolleyes:
 
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