Testing lead hardness

[jtmattison]

I did some homegrown lead hardness testing today.

My step-dad just gave me a 11+ pound ingot of pure lead that his dad gave him from his days working the lead mines up north.

Using a sample of the pure lead I tested the hardness of wheel weight lead and my usual lead I use which is old telephone cable sheath.

I took samples of the lead and placed a steel ball-bearing between them and compressed them in a vice. I then measured the diameter of the depressions and used a formula to figure the hardness. The formula is L x L divided by X x X multiplied by 5. L being the pure lead dent and X being the other sample dent. Look on Corbins website for the article on this test Corbin lead hardness test

My results:

Pure lead BHN = 5 (according to sources this is the BHN of pure lead
Wheel weights = 12.8
Cable sheath = 7

So in conclusion, the 600+ pounds of telephone cable lead I have is very close to pure and will give me years and years of shooting pleasure.

Huntin

 

[Stumpkiller]

Send me 100# and I'll do some testing here and see if I can confirm your findings.

:winking:

 

[jtmattison]

:rotf:
Do you know how much work it is to split old telephone cable to get the lead off it?
NO WAY am I giving any of it up!!
Seriously though, if you were in my neck of the woods and needed some lead I would gladly give you some.

Huntin

 

[Stumpkiller]

Don't know if you were here and following, but last spring I was given 2,200 lbs of pure lead.

Unfortunately, it's in one piece and is still sitting right where it was 6 months ago.

I have to figure a way of removing it without putting lead shavings, dust or fumes into the surroundings (it's in a marina and there are tight restrictions on lead handling).

I've found two solutions, but they are slow. #1 is a ax/maul to section off chunks. #2 is a plane to shave strips. #2 was preferred by the "neighbors" in the nearest boats. :haha:

 

[jtmattison]

2,200 pounds is a heck of a chunk of lead.

How about option #3 - Take a torch to it and cut off chunks.

I thought telephone cable was hard to crack. You've really got your hands full with that chunk of lead.

Good luck.

Huntin

 

[Stumpkiller]

How about option #3 - Take a torch to it and cut off chunks.

Fumes. I'd have to tent & filter.

Chainsaw was out because of the "chips".

Originally, it's a piece of a sailboat keel that is the size of a bench seat from a small pick-up truck. They used a Industrial Size Sawzall to remove it, but inside a plastic tent with catch sheets & respirators. They get really "hairy" about any lead emissions and environmental issues. You can't sand or spray your own boat, and they won't allow many tasks (you're supposed to pay them $60/hr to do it).

Currently "my" lead is being used to straighten up a small tree that was backed into and partially uprooted by a truck. The yard's fork-truck can drag it but not lift it. :haha:

It would cost me $1,800 to be trucked to my house from the marina (I checked), but that includes getting it on and off the truck. $1.22 per pound is more than I will pay. :grin:

It's become a running gag between me and the yard crew. If I hadn't asked for it I'm sure it would be part of the breakwater behind the shed closest the water under a layer of crushed stone. :hmm:

I will prevail.

 

[riarcher]

Hmmm, wonder if dry ice would help it shatter when smacked? :hmm:

 

Stumpy, why the High shipping cost. There should be no problems with lead as a Hazmet problem if yer recycling it. Weird rules by the EPA Lead is only considered hazardous waste if you are disposing of it, if you are recycleing it the hazardous materials rules don't apply when transporting. :applause: If you got it quartered the hilo could set it on a pallet in the back of a pickup truck. Also another way to move it is by tow truck. They can handle that kinda weight, and you would only have a distance charge. Just a thought. Also a stone mason company, they specialize in dead weight like that. Bill

 

[Stumpkiller]

It's 120 miles for 2,200 lbs, including lift and lower without hydraulic equipment at either end. I could pay the yard to lift it onto a truck with their boat lift . . . that's a $200 fee.

Besides, I'm trying to get this home free. I can shave enough on the weekends to keep pace with my shooting through the winter. I have purchased scrap lead, but I much prefer the beer medium of exchange. It's part of the thrill of the chase. :grin:

I don't want to spoil this potentially free lead by soiling it with cash.

 

"I don't want to spoil this potentially free lead by soiling it with cash."
Beer trading I understand :rotf: Just get a bunch of Scot's drunk, and tell em it's a new Highland game "carrying O the Keel" :rotf: Kind of a triathalon for real Scotsmen. Ya should have it home in about a week. :rotf: Bill

 

[Cherokee]

Could you rent a trailer and just use a winch or come-a-long onto it and the be out the rental of the trailer? Unless it would be to far to drag to the trailer. That way theres no loading fees.
A come-a-long and some spud bars and your in business.
Me and a friend moved a whole machine shop with an equipment trailer come-a-longs spud bars and some bar stock on the ground as rollers.

 

[kentucky bucky]

If you could just get it to one of those storage rental buildings, you could have your way with it out of the sight of nosy treehuggers. In fact just hook a big eye bolt into it or a cable around it, and drag it upon a rollback carhauler. possible???