Lead smelter? Something else?

[mikeinct]

You might turn up the heat a few degrees. Castings look cool poured. It's ok, Keep going you have a lot of space to fill between those studs. Perfect spot to store them.

 

[dhagerty40]

I have to agree you were too cool on the lead temp. I normally keep my pot around 700 and get good pours.

 

[Zeke 225]

I have poured a hand full of plain cat litter when melting scrap lead helps keep the smoke down.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Cast a few more today. I fluxed the pot probably 5 or 6 times with wax and wood chips once. Infrared was mid 600s on side of pot dead on lead was like 300, underneath around flame was low 800s with gun. Probe thermometer will be purchased if I continue for sure. Seems the lower my pot got the more goo appeared on top. Preheating I got tray fixed popping spatter. What .38 cal mold y'all recommend?
Here is pic of goo.

 

[mikeinct]

What pistol or revolver will you use it in. ??? Do you have a preferred bullet style or weight in mind. ???

 

[brokeasajoke]

What pistol or revolver will you use it in. ??? Do you have a preferred bullet style or weight in mind. ???

Gp100 .357 6" and a S&W 4" 38sp. Probably won't see Magnum velocity's. This is more of just a novelty I'd say. Maybe 150s gr? I'm more of which if it matters, would help a beginner make better. I was also so thinking maybe a 9mm 124gr. I don't shoot pistol a whole lot.

Today's ingots

 

[brokeasajoke]

Looks like I've found a mom and pop tire shop that will give me wheel weights if I continue with this.

 

[RegionRat]

Just make sure you learn to identify lead and bullet friendly lead alloy, versus non-lead materials.

Powder coating can help mitigate many shortcomings with contaminated lead alloys, but it is still good to study how to spot the bad actors when gathering scrap lead to avoid screwing up your mix.

 

[brokeasajoke]

I've already seen the Zinc and Fe stamped weights as well as the pure lead stick on which is the majority of why I have now. Looks like powder coat, butter bowl, and a toaster oven is the way to go.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Think I've decided to try this bullet mold. Should I get 2 or 6 cavity as a rookie? I guess one don't have to use all 6 in the 6 cavity mold.

 

[mac86951]

Think I've decided to try this bullet mold. Should I get 2 or 6 cavity as a rookie? I guess one don't have to use all 6 in the 6 cavity mold.

View attachment 1361922

I'm very happy dad taught me casting. I'm using a smaller electric furnace from Lee; the 20lb one which is very temp stable to regulate. I'd recommend one as you get more involved in casting. I'd think this propane let pot best for making ingots, but it'll work for casting too with a good thermometer.

A Lyman 358156 is a great mold.if.you.can find one. Most likely an estate sale, or pawn shop, or etc... 158ish gr semi-wad cutter.

I tumble lube with Lee liquid alox as well, easy and quick.

Lyman cast bullet handbook is still in print and a great casting reference to get you hooked.


Keep an ear out for anyone with lead drain pipes. They pay $$ to get rid of them, but some dead soft lead is needed to mix with wheel weights for a little less brittle of a casting (totally depends on the weights).

Another source of lead:. Indoor shooting range. Sometimes they do clean out the stops and when they do, they would love to hear about a lead furnace which allows you to separate copper from lead.

-Mac

 

[K22]

Make sure you understand the hazards associated with handling lead and inhaling lead related flumes. This is a very serious health issue and should not be taken lightly.

I know of one individual in western PA that over time succumbed to toxic lead poisoning casting bullets in the 70's. Just be careful and take all the necessary safety precautions.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Make sure you understand the hazards associated with handling lead and inhaling lead related flumes. This is a very serious health issue and should not be taken lightly.

I know of one individual in western PA that over time succumbed to toxic lead poisoning casting bullets in the 70's. Just be careful and take all the necessary safety precautions.

Maybe something to request on my yearly blood work.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Just found they make specialty heavy metal wipes that's recommended as well as hand washing.

 

[ebb]

I have that same lee mold you posted in a 2 cavity and later bought a (mm .355 mold in a 6 cavity. By all means get the 6. All of my scrape is pure lead or close to it. My first batch of bullets were wrinkly, I added 1.5 % pewter to the next and the tin helped a lot. They look much better.

 

[K22]

Maybe something to request on my yearly blood work.

The best course is not to become exposed to the point that the toxicity shows in medical tests. I'm not a medical professional but the case I cited is true not a scare tactic. The only reason I posted this was in the spirit of not having a fellow shooter become seriously ill.

I don't know all the precautions but a few I'm aware of are cast in a well-ventilated area, wear a protective breathing device that will protect you from lead fumes, wear protective gloves and wash your hands after handling lead. There are others for sure, but these are the ones I'm aware of.

I had a few friends that successfully cast bullets for many years without becoming ill, at least as far as I'm aware of but they all took precautions. Also, it's my understanding that lead toxicity is cumulative over time and the damage is irreversible.

 

[brokeasajoke]

The best course is not to become exposed to the point that the toxicity shows in medical tests. I'm not a medical professional but the case I cited is true not a scare tactic. The only reason I posted this was in the spirit of not having a fellow shooter become seriously ill.

I don't know all the precautions but a few I'm aware of are cast in a well-ventilated area, wear a protective breathing device that will protect you from lead fumes, wear protective gloves and wash your hands after handling lead. There are others for sure, but these are the ones I'm aware of.

I had a few friends that successfully cast bullets for many years without becoming ill, at least as far as I'm aware of but they all took precautions. Also, it's my understanding that lead toxicity is cumulative over time and the damage is irreversible.

I do it outside and wash my hands if I even handle the tools, but I don't wear a breathing device of any kind. Are we talking N95 or respirator with filters and if so which filters. I have a respirator with face shield for spraying Fluid Film under my vehicles.

 

[K22]

I do it outside and wash my hands if I even handle the tools, but I don't wear a breathing device of any kind. Are we talking N95 or respirator with filters and if so which filters. I have a respirator with face shield for spraying Fluid Film under my vehicles.

I don't know - I would consult a medical / safety professional regarding the proper breathing device. Perhaps there is such an individual on this site that can properly advise you. Maybe you can find guidance on the net.

I've never cast bullets but know a few guys that did. One guy used a fan to keep the flumes away from him. How effective that is I don't know.

The bottom line - just take all necessary precautions so you don't become exposed to toxic lead poisoning.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Tried casting for the first time this morning with a cast iron ladle. Took a while to get mold to temp. Got it too hot once. Most important what do you think of the galling on the aluminum especially at the hinge? There's also a good one at tip of Allen wrench. I wonder if it was a piece of rust from my rusty casting ladle maybe. I lubed with synthetic 2stroke oil. This may all be normal but just curious. I did enjoy it. Mold temp seems to be a supreme factor that I'm assuming just comes with time/experience.

Edit: all dropped .361 and 161.7 to 162.5 of the 6 in pic.

 

[brokeasajoke]

I got the push through lee sizer. I plan on powder coating so do I need to lube then size or can I size without lube then apply PC without having to clean off lube?