Warden Callaway Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 Oldest son found some lead for me. 60lb. I'm not sure it's pure lead. It scratches easily. I melt bulk range scrap and such in a dutch oven. But I'm afraid this ingot wouldn't fit well. Any suggestions as to how to change into smaller denominations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crooked River Pete, SASS 43485 Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 You can saw it with a band saw or porta band, or melt it with a torch. 20 years ago I might have put it in a coffee can and put it on the kitchen range, but know better now too much lead fumes in the house, maybe the gas grill outside? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon A Bovine SASS 27688 Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 I have used a propane torch on large pieces before, had one end in the melting pot and melt off what you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Timber SASS #19724Life Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 A,saws all or hack saw,works too I done it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 Maap gas torch. Hotter than propane. Melt it into a biscuit tin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 Hatchet. Or hammer and chisel. I’ve done both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted February 21, 2021 Author Share Posted February 21, 2021 I have a firewood processor that may sheer it. But, I may use it as a doorstop until some time when I may need it. I have several hundred pounds I've not dipped into. This is my BIG lead pot I use to recycle lead from my traps and scrap lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy B.SASS#26902 Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 I've seen it done on a wood splitter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Creek,5759 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Band saw Sawzall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Careful using a power saw. Get the lead too hot and it will gall. I would try the wood splitter. Can't hurt it and it should work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kloehr Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Bandsaw or sawzall with large-tooth blades. Chainsaw teeth makes a good reference for tooth spacing. So use a chainsaw. Sharp chainsaw blade. Collect and melt the shavings. You want blades with large gullets or they will fill up and slow cutting or even get hot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Ax or hatchet is the cleanest and easiest. kR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grass Range Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Flooring blade for a circular saw works in my table saw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyesa Horg Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 I used a circular saw on a large 1/4" thick chunk. Set up a tarp to catch the lead dust as it were. I used a general construction blade and it cut like 1/8" plywood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex M Rugers #6621 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 I'm with the hatchet and chisel guys. Cut it into three pieces and it should fit into that big melting pot. Rex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 I have used a 2lb hammer and chisel on thick pieces...on sheet lead my saber saw or sawzall works well. Hochbauer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Creek,5759 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 Sounds like this is going to be a big project. I am going to be down your way next in March . On my way to Ft. Smith Arkansas. I can take the lead off your hands, save you the agravation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 Just scored a big hunk of 4" drain pipe out of my mother-in-law's house. I've been eyeballing that piece of pipe for 30 years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted February 23, 2021 Author Share Posted February 23, 2021 25 minutes ago, Michigan Slim said: Just scored a big hunk of 4" drain pipe out of my mother-in-law's house. I've been eyeballing that piece of pipe for 30 years! It should be dried out by now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 24 minutes ago, Warden Callaway said: It should be dried out by now. I'll slow heat it in the spring. Been bit by "dry" water lines. Tinsel shower! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted February 23, 2021 Author Share Posted February 23, 2021 1 minute ago, Michigan Slim said: I'll slow heat it in the spring. Been bit by "dry" water lines. Tinsel shower! I tend to put range lead and scrap in a cold pot, put it on the fire and walk away. It seems to steam off any moisture before reaching critical heat level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted February 24, 2021 Share Posted February 24, 2021 5 hours ago, Warden Callaway said: I tend to put range lead and scrap in a cold pot, put it on the fire and walk away. It seems to steam off any moisture before reaching critical heat level. That's what I do NOW. I dropped a cut of pipe in once and emptied my pot. I was a newbie with no idea that could happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Springfield Slim SASS #24733 Posted February 24, 2021 Share Posted February 24, 2021 I've cut up a couple of sailboat keels, 1- 600 and 1- 300 lbs. Found that a crosscut circular saw blade works best. Sawzalls take WAY too long. The chips just fall onto the ground/tarp, easy to pick up and melt with the rest of the chunks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted February 24, 2021 Share Posted February 24, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted February 24, 2021 Author Share Posted February 24, 2021 Scored even more lead! I took the mystery coil back to scrap yard to see what they had to say. They kept repeatedly saying "it's lead". I'd ask, not zink? And they reply no, it's lead. If it's lead it has a lot of tin and antimony in it. I kept it. I asked if they had gotten in any more soft lead. The old guy went hunting around the piles of junk on the muddy lot. He pulled out a tangled wad of lead pipe. Turned out to weigh 90 pounds. I can cut this up with an ax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Angus McPherson Posted February 24, 2021 Share Posted February 24, 2021 2 hours ago, Warden Callaway said: Scored even more lead! I took the mystery coil back to scrap yard to see what they had to say. They kept repeatedly saying "it's lead". I'd ask, not zink? And they reply no, it's lead. If it's lead it has a lot of tin and antimony in it. I kept it. I asked if they had gotten in any more soft lead. The old guy went hunting around the piles of junk on the muddy lot. He pulled out a tangled wad of lead pipe. Turned out to weigh 90 pounds. I can cut this up with an ax. How much useable lead do you figure you'll get out of that 90# pipe once you melt it down into ingots? Angus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted February 24, 2021 Author Share Posted February 24, 2021 20 minutes ago, Black Angus McPherson said: How much useable lead do you figure you'll get out of that 90# pipe once you melt it down into ingots? Angus I'll let you know. I hope to get to it sometime soon. I hope it's not full of lime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted February 24, 2021 Share Posted February 24, 2021 1 hour ago, Black Angus McPherson said: How much useable lead do you figure you'll get out of that 90# pipe once you melt it down into ingots? Angus About 88 pounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Springfield Slim SASS #24733 Posted February 24, 2021 Share Posted February 24, 2021 Lime, water, hair, who knows what else. But it sure makes nice soft lead once ingotized. Just be very careful putting it in the pot, and NEVER aim the back of the pipe at your self, they make nice steam cannons! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted February 24, 2021 Author Share Posted February 24, 2021 33 minutes ago, Springfield Slim SASS #24733 said: Lime, water, hair, who knows what else. But it sure makes nice soft lead once ingotized. Just be very careful putting it in the pot, and NEVER aim the back of the pipe at your self, they make nice steam cannons! I always fill scrap lead into my big Dutch oven when it's cold and empty, set it on the fire and walk away. When I see it's stopped smoking and has black junk floating on top, I come and check, clean, flux and start making ingots. I don't add scrap lead into a pot of molten lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Springfield Slim SASS #24733 Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 I should do that also, but when I have 300 lbs of scrap to do I get impatient. So I just wear lots of protective gear and be as careful as I can. I have been a victim of the tinsel fairy on occasion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 I'm working at melting the lead pipe that I scored yesterday. Looks REALLY good. Thick walls and clean inside. I'm cutting it up with limb loppers. I could probably go right into the Lee 20lb pot but there is always a chance water is trapped in a coil. I'm set up and going now anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 I was just given a five gallon bucket of WW. Almost all lead. I'll add it to what I have and melt this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconKC Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 When we went to move some young guys from our church were helping us load. When they grabbed those 5 gallon buckets of wheel weights they almost died from shock! And thanks for the idea of the limb lopper, never would have thought of that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 On 2/21/2021 at 7:19 PM, Kid Rich said: Ax or hatchet is the cleanest and easiest. kR Double bit axe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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