Rotometals ingots

[SgtErv]

So, this might be a silly question...but maybe not :idunno:

Ive obtained a couple of 5lb pure lead ingots from Rotometals. I managed to take off a couple of pound sized chunks, one to repay a fella who cashed some balls for me, and the other to eventually do some casting...

What method do you guys use to separate the stuff into more manageable pieces for a primitive ladle? I used an old chisel and a hammer. :rotf: Buuuuut I'm thinking there has to be a much better way.

The plan is to pound a few ounces of it flat into a thin sheet and sort of roll it up, that way I can break off small pieces to melt and cast. I'm not doing a ton of casting at a time, maybe a dozen or so, and mainly for interpretation purposes (although I've a fancy for shooting the hand cast round balls)

Please feel free to laugh at my expense :rotf: But Id value some input. Thanks gents

 

[Kansas Jake]

I have some roofing sheet lead and I just use an axe to chop off a chunk to put into my casting pot. You are probably looking for a smaller piece so the chisel isn't a bad way to go. Also, a bolt cutter might be able to cut off a piece. Sawing would work too, but leave lead dust.

 

[jethro224]

The chunks I get from work are about 25 lb. I use a torch to melt the ends off into an ingot mould. Oxy-acetylene works best/fastest but propane will do it too.
The hammer and chisel method was way too much work for my tastes. :haha:

BTW, you can make an ingot mould from angle iron. Just weld the ends closed with pieces of scrap. You don't need to fill the angle all the way to the top. 1/4" thick should do just fine for your purposes.

 

[smoothshooter]

An acetelyne torch can work well, just be careful about molten lead spraying back on you when you pull the lever to blow through the material.

A Saws-All with a coarse toothed blade works pretty good also, but you may have to stop occaisionally to brush some lead build-up out of the teeth.

 

[mooman76]

5# is larger than needed during a session but not so large, it's not manageable. Melt down the 5# blocks and recast it into smaller ingots. I like 1# or less ingots to add to the pot while casting. I used to use 9# blocks at a time when I cast on a stove pot that would hold about 20. Then you have to stop while casting for the lead to melt. Adding smaller ingots, you can keep casting without delay.

 

[Docgp]

Go get you a cheap pot from the goodwill, put it on your coleman stove outside, and melt the whole thing, then find something to pour whatever size ingot you want and pour them for future consumption.

Doc

 

[Don Steele]

I'd do like Doc suggests.
Melt it down and cast into smaller ingots.
Cast iron "cornbread" pans can often be found at thrift stores and are just right.
To facilitate melting, fashion a cover for the pan you put the 5# lump in. It will hold the heat in and make it a lot easier to get the thing to melt.

 

[TFoley]

Run the blade through a stick of chalk first.

tac

 

[BrownBear]

I'm kinda redneck, but it works. I put ingots on the chopping block out by our woodshed and swing a big old axe. Done in a few whacks, if my aim is good. More on days with too much coffee. :grin:

 

[rmatt]

I use a saws-all with chalk also. Works great for me.

 

[Archer 756]

:surrender: Harbor Freight Saws all CHEAP!

 

[Kansas Jake]

You don't need a cast iron corn bread mold to cast ingots. I sheet metal one will work fine.

 

[Artificer]

I'm kinda redneck, but it works. I put ingots on the chopping block out by our woodshed and swing a big old axe. Done in a few whacks, if my aim is good. More on days with too much coffee. :grin:

Gee, I didn't know it was possible to have a day with too much coffee. :shocked2: :haha:

Gus

 

[coloradoclyde]

Recasting is the best option....The OP indicated that he wanted to (I assume) make it easier to hand cast them using a primitive ladle....Sounds like he's doing the bag mold trekking thing.....In that case why not pour the lead into "trade bars". Make a mold out of wood. Pour the lead into bars 1/2" wide x 1/4" thick and as long as you please...They can be cut with a knife or tomahawk for use with a trekking ladle.

 

[ZUG]

Most if not all my lead is from scraps and I use a turkey fryer as my heat source. My "pot" is a 10" steel wok and I melt my lead in this then pour the lead into muffin tins. I then transfer the lead pucks to a 20 lb Lee dip pot for the actual bullet casting but you can use the wok also.

 

[mooman76]

Don't use steel muffin pans. The lead won't come back out unless you remelt it. Aluminum is ok or cast iron. The nonstick pans will work too.

 

[SgtErv]

You nailed it CC. Primitive all the way. I portray a backcountry militiaman. I currently just carry some scraps - like balls I need to recast or the little bits that you cut off along with the sprue.

I think it was Loyalist Dave that mentioned using a wooden mold to make smaller trade ingots in another post as well.

So I think I'll go with the frying pan method. I should be able to find one easily enough since we've got a ton of thrift shops and antique stores around, and a rough mold will be easy enough as well.

Thanks for the input gents. Figured you fellas had your ways!

 

[Semisane]

One more option. Melt your five pound bar and pour it out on clean smooth concrete. It will peel up just fine and you will have a lead pancake that can be cut with shears into any length and width you want.

 

[Auldgoat]

a log splitter worked quite well for me.

 

[MC One Shot]

One more option. Melt your five pound bar and pour it out on clean smooth concrete. It will peel up just fine and you will have a lead pancake that can be cut with shears into any length and width you want.

Make sure the concrete is dry or it may spald back on you or leave grains of sand and concrete in the lead.