Casting round ball

[mooman76]

Any lead that is questionable to me, I do outside and I put the lead in the pot before it starts melting so it gives it a chance to burn off any water it might have.

 

[Flintlock]

I once put a piece of lead pipe in my Lee lead pot to melt down. This piece of pipe was in the dry garage for years and was plenty dry ...I thought. There must have been a drop of water under all the gunk and calcium that was on the inside of the pipe. As it started to melt, I heard a sizzle then a bullet blob of molten lead shot out of the end of the pipe across the garage !! Lesson to be learned ... never point your lead pipe at anyone as it might be loaded !! Good thing I wasn't standing in front of it..
Ohio Rusty ><>

I think sometimes a air pocket will do that in pipe, seems it's happened to me before as well but then again I can't remember why I just came back

 

[Stony Broke]

I always liked to do my casting in the garage. I'd open the big door and get it all set up near there.....with a fan behind me to send the fumes out the door.

 

[Griz44Mag]

I think sometimes a air pocket will do that in pipe, seems it's happened to me before as well but then again I can't remember why I just came back

That why - if I do any smelting - is done outside with a very large cast iron Dutch oven on a turkey fryer burner - with the lid on!
I learned my lesson the hard way while smelting range diggings.