Beartrap SASS#57175 Posted April 1, 2018 Share Posted April 1, 2018 What's the best way to remove built up lead from the face of SG knock down targets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Bill Mathewson, 37826 Posted April 1, 2018 Share Posted April 1, 2018 Why would you need to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coyote, SASS #63736 Posted April 1, 2018 Share Posted April 1, 2018 Bear, we've done it with an acetylene torch with a rosebud tip. But somebody's got to pay for the gas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 1 hour ago, Don Coyote, SASS #63736 said: Bear, we've done it with an acetylene torch with a rosebud tip. But somebody's got to pay for the gas! Hope you wear a proper respirator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 really scary way is use Mercury, Hg; also great way to shorten your life if done wrong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assassin Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Your club must really be hard up to recycle lead. It'll build up and fall off on it's own. Our targets have lead build up and we've not had any complaints. Heating the lead with a torch is not worth the gas, and one's health. If it's really necessary do it outside in a high wind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beartrap SASS#57175 Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 The reason I'd like to clean then up is that we're getting a lot of splashback due to pitting in a heavy build up of lead. It's not falling off. Would sand blasting them work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=331256 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Most likely, what is really causing the splatter - the underlying steel has gotten pitted over the years. Shotgun pellets hitting a layer of soft lead is not going to cause splatter. But the pitted steel under that will throw lots of splatter until you smooth it. Chemical removal will not solve the real problem - the pitted steel surface. If I were doing it, I'd get a lead particulate respirator and face shield to wear, coveralls that you will be able to discard when done, find a spot outdoors to set up a generator, and use an angle grinder to smooth the steel back down. Be cautious to work from up wind side so dust is carried away as much as possible. Doing this on the range will minimize moving the steel and keep what lead you do grind off on the range with the rest of the lead. Sand blasting first will help remove any lead stuck in the pits, but you will have a pitted surface (now with extra roughness) after the sandblasting. So sandblasting is probably a wasted step. If you hire this done, tell the metalworker about the lead contamination. That will make the job cost 5 times more than just "grind the steel smooth" would. Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 It also sounds like you may be a "Multi-Use Outfit" and someone is using your Shotgun Poppers for Jacket Pistol or Rifle targets?? It's really difficult for lead shotgun BBs to "pit" steel. Pitting of the steel will cause Back-Spatter. Lead will stick to lead. I have never seen a Shotgun Popper that did not create tons of Spatter. The physics of most Popper designs guarantee it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beartrap SASS#57175 Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 The reason I'd like to clean then up is that we're getting a lot of splashback due to pitting in a heavy build up of lead. Would sand blasting them work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 5 minutes ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said: It's really difficult for lead shotgun BBs to "pit" steel. It's real EASY for the latest target loads with STEEL SHOT in them (Winchester is notorious for these) to badly pit shotgun knockdowns, AND splatter the posse severely too. Just a couple shots tears up the surface of most any knockdown. Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 4 minutes ago, Beartrap SASS#57175 said: Would sand blasting them work? Already answered this above. GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beartrap SASS#57175 Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 The lead buildup is about a good 1/8" thick and is heavily cratered on the steel knock downs, so It's coming from those not the steel. They've seen a lot of use but are in good shape, except for the lead build up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.S. Sooner, SASS #73526 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Can you turn the steel around? We have SG knockdowns that we alternate each match, marking the back side so we know the side to face the shooter next match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Sometimes just a hammer and chisel - and wearing good personal protection from absorbing the lead. I've seen the lead come off in sheets that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 If you have that much lead on them and you're getting that kind of dangerous splash-back, perhaps you should consider retiring the targets? Not really worth losing an eye or giving yourself lead poisoning, IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokestack SASS#87384 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Heat them with a torch. A propane weed burner should do the trick. Then set them a little further from the firing line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace_of_Hearts Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 27 minutes ago, Smokestack said: Heat them with a torch. A propane weed burner should do the trick. Then set them a little further from the firing line. https://www.lowes.com/pd/BernzOmatic-Lawn-and-Garden-Torch-Handheld-Head/50126417 This is the item you need. Needless tto say. Use it outside in a NON-Combustible area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beartrap SASS#57175 Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 1 hour ago, Smokestack said: Heat them with a torch. A propane weed burner should do the trick. Then set them a little further from the firing line. Heck, you can't hit 'em where they are! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace_of_Hearts Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 18 minutes ago, Beartrap SASS#57175 said: Heck, you can't hit 'em where they are! BOY! Do you have THAT right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Have you seen chunks of that lead come back and hit shooters? Or is it just the fired lead shot rebounding and hitting folks? From a mechanical engineering point of view, it's going to be VERY hard for lead shot to rebound off of a lead sheet and come back; it's going to try to stick to the lead already on the target. If anything is coming back, I would expect it to be slivers and chunks that break off the lead sheet covering the target. Even after EOT's 800 shooters firing for 3+ days, none of the SG targets have any residual lead buildup on the target face. They collect a chunk of lead on the target frame (stand) that sits perpendicular to and directly below the target face - but that can be brushed off with a whisk broom if needed. Your accumulation amounts seem rather unusual. Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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