Casting lead
- Thread starter Cactus92
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2015
- Messages
- 3,097
- Reaction score
- 1,109
I second what Ron said! Way to dangerous and not worth the effort and work to get to it. I wouldn't take the risk!
Respectfully, Cowboy
Respectfully, Cowboy
The lead plates in batteries definitely are not a good source of lead for making castings.
Not only will the acid attack anything it gets on but the plates are far from being pure lead.
Much of the plates have converted to lead sulphate, something that melting can not change.
Also, many batteries plates have calcium along with other things added.
Pure lead or usable lead alloys can be found at scrap yards, roofing companies and some (old) plumbing companies.
Scrap wheel weights are sometimes made out of lead and although it is often hardened with other elements it can be used in muzzleloading rifles.
(It works very poorly in Cap & Ball pistols and loading it in them can damage the pistol.)
Not only will the acid attack anything it gets on but the plates are far from being pure lead.
Much of the plates have converted to lead sulphate, something that melting can not change.
Also, many batteries plates have calcium along with other things added.
Pure lead or usable lead alloys can be found at scrap yards, roofing companies and some (old) plumbing companies.
Scrap wheel weights are sometimes made out of lead and although it is often hardened with other elements it can be used in muzzleloading rifles.
(It works very poorly in Cap & Ball pistols and loading it in them can damage the pistol.)
Pass if you like your health.
I tried it years ago before I knew better. Not really much there anyway after you tear it down. The only thing worth anything is the battery posts.
excess650
50 Cal.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2009
- Messages
- 1,671
- Reaction score
- 639
Old wheel weights contain several percent antimony. New wheel weights vary: the stick on type are mostly lead, and soft enough to cast RBs. The clip-on types can be zinc, iron, or lead. Iron won't melt, zinc is much lighter and will contaminate your good lead. You can check each with a pair of side cutters to see if they mark at all, cut hard, or are easily marked (lead).
I've cast with cable sheathing and sheet lead. Depending upon the source, it might contain other than lead and tin (solder joints). IIRC, antimony was added to enhance extruding, and copper may be present. If you observe a pile of oatmeal looking mess on the top of your lead, skim it off! If more of the stuff floats to the top as you add to your pot, skim it off! It only takes a small percentage of antimony and copper to make the metal almost unuseable for roundballs.
I've cast with cable sheathing and sheet lead. Depending upon the source, it might contain other than lead and tin (solder joints). IIRC, antimony was added to enhance extruding, and copper may be present. If you observe a pile of oatmeal looking mess on the top of your lead, skim it off! If more of the stuff floats to the top as you add to your pot, skim it off! It only takes a small percentage of antimony and copper to make the metal almost unuseable for roundballs.
