Got Lead!

[mmahlock]

I do that too. Only I just hit up my dentist. I've also found that garage sales are a good place to pick up fishing sinkers. I live near the coast and ocean sinkers can be huge and very cheap.

 

[wtilenw]

I just got some more lead from my buddy that runs the construction crew at the local hospital. 2 feet by 7 feet by 3/8" thick. I have no idea how much it weighs. Anyone have any ideas on how to cut it into chunks small enough to melt into ingots? The thinner sheet lead I got from him I was able to cut with heavy shears into 6" strips which I then rolled up like burritos and was able to fit them into a large ladle I have and pour them into ingots.
Idaho PRB

 

[guncobbler]

Hey PRB - Why don't you take an old axe to it. I wouldn't use my best ax on this job but would take the knife edge off the blade and make it a little more like a chisel blade. Just be careful when you swing and keep you toes clear. If it's going to cut lead it will cut your toes off too. GC

 

[guncobbler]

Thanks Bartek - I was wondering how things have changed since democracy. That is quite a history to your shooting club. Wishing you and all the new shooters in Poland the best learning about muzzleloaders. Glad that we can be of help. What brand of liquid refreshment is your icon depicting? GC

 

[sequoia]

Be careful melting down fishing weights. Over time water can seep into any cavaties in the lead. Water and hot lead can be an explosive combination.

 

[paulvallandigham]

post rider: Good warning on fish weights. Why not simply dry them out in a hot oven over night? Put them on a cookie sheet, and turn the oven on low( 250 degrees, and let them dry all night long. Next morning they are ready for the lead pot. At 250, any water will boil and find its way out.

 

[ButlerFord]

I just got some more lead from my buddy that runs the construction crew at the local hospital. 2 feet by 7 feet by 3/8" thick. I have no idea how much it weighs. Anyone have any ideas on how to cut it into chunks small enough to melt into ingots? The thinner sheet lead I got from him I was able to cut with heavy shears into 6" strips which I then rolled up like burritos and was able to fit them into a large ladle I have and pour them into ingots.
Idaho PRB

Reverse the blade in a circular saw and you have an excellent metal cutting blade.

 

[thehorn]

I just got some more lead from my buddy that runs the construction crew at the local hospital. 2 feet by 7 feet by 3/8" thick. I have no idea how much it weighs. Anyone have any ideas on how to cut it into chunks small enough to melt into ingots?

Use a wide masonry chisel (type used for scoring brick) and hammer to indent. Then just bend it along the score line until it breaks apart easily. Safer than sawing as you want to avoid small and arborne particles of lead.

 

[brubincam]

large pair of tin snips..