Cutting large chunks of lead

[Abarnes]

Hello,
I have a literal brick of lead. Obviously much too large to fit into my casting pot. What method(s) could be used to cut small sliced off this mass?
Thanks,
Bruce

I have had a few of those, I put them in a coffee can on a fire until it liquefies and recast into more manageable blocks

 

[CaptainKirk]

Best to use something to cleave like a cold chisel, axe or hatchet that won't created dust. Be safe.

 

[morehops52]

My first try was frustrating. I didn't want to use the saw as I didn't want any more airborne exposure or clean up. What 'worked" for me was using a med size axe pounded on with a 3lb hand sledge. What a work out,. While the cost is a bit more I only needed to cast about 80lb for a life time supply. I ended up buying 1lb ingots from Rotometals and wouldn't ever consider chomping on big ingots again. I do admit that a sawz-all or circular saw would have worked much better than the axe.

 

[Togo]

I use a bandsaw. Seen a couple others use a cast iron pan then pour it into 1LB ingots.

 

[BillinOregon]

I recently had the pleasure of discovering that the valve was stuck open on my Lee Production pot, which I had plugged in and left to heat. Dumb mistake right there. I tried a cold chisel and a hacksaw with poor result. The propane torch did the trick. Never occurred to me to try the Sawzall.
Tom, what do you think of the AZAD Factory blower? I tried one of the little Zomax blowers with a charcoal forge and it didn't have the volume to do the job.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

Propane torch works for me. I am less concerned with vapors than I am with microfine particles from a saw. Work outdoors with a mild breeze and stay upwind!

ADK Bigfoot

 

[Whughett]

I’ve used various ways. A saws all works well with a blade designed for tree limbs. My wood shop band saw, but that leaves a lot of chips to clean up.
Had a large number of plumber ingots that would not fit my small Lee pot. I used a propane torch to melt them into the pot.
Any hand saw that is sharp will cut lead.

 

[52Bore]

3-4 tpi bandsaw blade (for wood) cuts thru 2” thick soft lead with ease .. smaller tpi seem to clog up.

 

[SmileMaker]

Bolt cutter works for me.

 

[Wncman]

Hello,
I have a literal brick of lead. Obviously much too large to fit into my casting pot. What method(s) could be used to cut small sliced off this mass?
Thanks,
Bruce

I have work on remodeling Radiation Vaults that required additional lead . They are “bricks “. The installers used a miter saw. Be sure to wear a mask.
When they needed to cut thick sheets they used a circular saw.

 

[Mogadishu Meanderer]

Hello,
I have a literal brick of lead. Obviously much too large to fit into my casting pot. What method(s) could be used to cut small sliced off this mass?
Thanks,
Bruce

Bruce, methods are many and vary, and everyone has access to different tools, what tools do you actually have access to???

 

[akroguy]

I missed out on a 500 plus pound lead pig. IF I had to deal with it I would have used a chainsaw.

Are you talking about the metal we use to make bullets or Jerry Nadler?

Just trying to clarify.....

 

[earlwb]

I still have a 100 pound ingot. The cold chisel doesn’t my work with it. But it is too heavy to heave up on a band saw. I thing a chainsaw or a sawzall or even a gas torch might do the trick though. Of course maybe a nice back yard camp fire and a big iron pot would work too,

 

[treebone]

A three inch wide "flooring chisel" and four pound plus "mashie" (sledge hammer) lets you 'shave' off what you need or want.

 

[torpedo]

I used a skill saw, worked very good, block of lead was 2 inches thick.

 

[IanH]

A big campfire works, too. Let the lead melt and run through the ashes. Break up pieces when cool and remelt in a pot.

 

[Lippy984]

Splitting wedge and a sledge hammer is how I do it

 

[Juice Jaws]

I've never tried it but maybe a cold chisel may do it.

That works, have done that many times

 

[Juice Jaws]

Hello,
I have a literal brick of lead. Obviously much too large to fit into my casting pot. What method(s) could be used to cut small sliced off this mass?
Thanks,
Bruce

Cold Chisel

 

[Sidney Smith]

Careful with the Oxy-Acetelen torch. It will get the lead hot enough to create lead vapors that will make you sick.

And melting lead in a pot won't? Just do it outside where there's fresh air. I think you will be fine.