Yes I did, and do. :grin: I was surprised that it worked but the wood burned and hardened, and I get pretty close to a one pound ingot. I figured I would need to hack the lead piece out of it, but ok I got lucky.
LD
Rotometals ingots
- Thread starter SgtErv
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
Yes I did, and do. :grin: I was surprised that it worked but the wood burned and hardened, and I get pretty close to a one pound ingot. I figured I would need to hack the lead piece out of it, but ok I got lucky.
LD
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2013
- Messages
- 20,091
- Reaction score
- 1,026
Another option is to simply use your trekking ladle as an ingot mold...that way you have the perfect amount and size lead to fit your casting ladle.....You can also easily calculate the number of moldable balls this way also..
- Joined
- May 6, 2014
- Messages
- 17,489
- Reaction score
- 16,602
I cast a large number of balls from a small cast iron skillet on top of an electric stove, back in the 70's. Worked very well.
However and fair warning, make SURE you are wearing stout shoes when you cast balls over a stove. I didn't one time and the mold I had perched on the rim of the skillet slipped and fell into the pot. That sent lead flying and a glob landed on my sock covered foot. I did the "Native Hotfoot Dance" while trying to tear off the sock. :redface:
For your impression, I think you have the right idea to make lead strips from a wood mold, that would not be difficult to add to a small period pot. Since I'm sure you are not going to cast balls in front of tourists, may I suggest you leave a ball in the mold with the sprue still on it? That way you could show tourists what it looked like when you first take the ball out of the mold and maybe even show them how to cut the sprue.
Gus
However and fair warning, make SURE you are wearing stout shoes when you cast balls over a stove. I didn't one time and the mold I had perched on the rim of the skillet slipped and fell into the pot. That sent lead flying and a glob landed on my sock covered foot. I did the "Native Hotfoot Dance" while trying to tear off the sock. :redface:
For your impression, I think you have the right idea to make lead strips from a wood mold, that would not be difficult to add to a small period pot. Since I'm sure you are not going to cast balls in front of tourists, may I suggest you leave a ball in the mold with the sprue still on it? That way you could show tourists what it looked like when you first take the ball out of the mold and maybe even show them how to cut the sprue.
Gus
smoothshooter said:
There's no need to ever "pull the lever to blow through the material". Sounds like a good way to waste a lot of lead and get a lot of burns.
Just use the flame to melt the lead into your choice of ingot mould. There's no need to cut it. Just the flame without the extra oxygen boost will melt the lead pretty fast. A rosebud tip is even better than a cutting head.
For use in a primitive ladle over a fire, thin is best when you pour your "ingots". Small, thin pieces will melt much faster than thick chunks. Once there is a puddle of molten lead in the ladle more, and thicker, pieces can be added. The already molten lead puddle will help melt the added pieces. More surface area ratio = better heat transfer.
Nah, don't have a bandsaw. I'll probably use the frying pan method and make a bunch of smaller ingots. That seems to be my ticket here. Of course, the axe method might have some more exercise involved haha. Exercise is never bad!
The little trekking ladle I have is very small, so I'll probably make those little ingots thin enough to break off chunks with a hawk.
The little trekking ladle I have is very small, so I'll probably make those little ingots thin enough to break off chunks with a hawk.
excess650
50 Cal.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2009
- Messages
- 1,671
- Reaction score
- 639
Use cast iron if you can find it. I have a 40# plumbers pot that came with the plumbers' furnace. I've since opted for the turkey fryer and dutch oven for more capacity.
Aluminum muffin tins will soon give up from heat, so avoid them. Steel muffin pans may not release, as in soldered on. :shake:
Aluminum muffin tins will soon give up from heat, so avoid them. Steel muffin pans may not release, as in soldered on. :shake:
