nwaskeeterman Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 Hey guys. I have just started pouring and a tackle shop gave me a 75lb block of lead. Man I though I had hit the jackpot right until the point that I tried to melt a portion of it. The block absorbs so much heat that my berzs torch will not melt it. How can I split this block of lead up???? Also, I have the Lee 5lb pot and wondering what is the "best" setting for pouring. I poured my first batch the other night and varied the temp but never felt that I got it right. I will be purchasing the Bottom pour soon as I now see how much time it will save. Also, what are your ideas on powercoating jigs with the weedguards already in them. My mold would not accept pins so I had to pour with them in. Now I would like to powercoat and don't want to ruin the jig. The jigs turned out great and I love the weedguard so its important that I dont ruin it. I would appreciate your help!! Thanks in advance. Shannon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidgrad Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 I'm new to all this as well, but one thing I saw on another thread here is to buy some sleeves to slide over your weedguard. They would protect it from the heat. Can't remember what kind, but try searching some earlier posts. As for the block, is there a way you could cut parts off? Like use a saw or something? Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flipper Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 depending on the shape of the block.....I have used a compound miter saw to cut lead before. be careful though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwaskeeterman Posted February 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 Tried to cut it and never found a good way. I used several different saws. Maybe someone has a good suggestion for blades for the saws. The lead is so soft that it binds the blade teeth. Thanks for the other suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dayooper Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 What are the dimensions of the lead? I can't image that 75 pounds is that big of a block. Try to find a cast iron dutch oven or a big cast iron frying pan and put it on a turkey fryer. Then ladel out the melted lead as it melts. Another way I heard (but never really tried) is to use an axe and chop it like wood. If it is soft lead, it won't damage your axe. Just be careful. Try putting a teflon tube over the weed guard before heating and only heat as much as you have to. Benjamin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwaskeeterman Posted February 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 The block is about 18X4X4. I am just guessing here but it is close. I tried chopping it and its a bit to hard. I make a dent but it would take forever to chop it in half. I wish I could find a way to melt it in quarters where it could be easily handled. No luck so far. Thanks for your advice so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 I have had big blocks of lead given to me to. I do like dayooper and use a hatchet on hint is to hold the hatchet in place and hit it with a hammer cuts quite well. On a block that big I would (if it was mine) cut all of it in to peaces to feed my lee pot. If it came from a tackle shop you most likely will not have to clean it up before you put it in your pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogajiga Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 I have almost an identical block and just tried a Stanley Short Cut 9 point crosscut and it started to cut alright with the coarse kerf shedding bits pretty well. And I too have used the hammered hatchet method. Might be more than your original plan, but you might consider an ingot mold, burner, large pot & ladle to make convenient size pieces to feed your melter. For scrap melting, any beat up old cooking pot will work but you'd still have to cut the block to fit to avoid melt overflow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 Shannon. If you are trying to saw the lead, make sure your doing it so any dust is away from children and you're wearing a particle mask to prevent ingesting the lead - lead is hazardous and be ingested if your not careful. Good luck getting into manageable sizes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagacious Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 Always spray a little WD-40 (or other light oil) on the sawblade when cutting lead. Makes life much easier and safer. OK, to cut the block, use a saw to cut a 1" deep notch in the block. Then use the hammer & hatchet method to split the block. If, as you say, the lead is "hard lead", the block will crack along the saw cut. Pigs of really hard lead, like linotype, are easily split this way. Good luck, and be safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhahn427 Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 after you cut it ......... melt it and pour it into some muffin tins coated with some high heat PAM to make ingots for future casting .......... Doesn't sound like pure lead ....... may have alot of other stuff in it ...... good luck and have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwaskeeterman Posted February 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Guys thanks for all the help so far. I am going outside right now to try the hatchet method. I think it will work. I will keep you updated. I have already purchased a egg size SS measuring cup to melt into ingots. Thanks for all your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Maxwell Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 If you have an air compressor you can use an air chisel to cut it apart. I use one to cut up old lead water pipe. Works slick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagacious Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 ... I have already purchased a egg size SS measuring cup to melt into ingots.Thanks for all your help. That works well, but you'll probably want to get several more so you can pour a bunch of ingots at one time. Also, don't pour that ss measuring cup more than 90% full, or you may have difficulty removing the ingot. As someone else noted, a thrift-store muffin pan works very well for ingots, but be sure it's steel, and not aluminum. Good luck, hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zib Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Hammer & chisel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwaskeeterman Posted February 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 The hatchet and a 3lb shop hammer worked great. About 10 minutes and had my first cut done. Melted it down and made a couple of ingots. Does it hurt anything to leave the lead in the pot? What about the temp. I have the small Lee 5lb melter. Any idea on what number. At times it looks like I am scortching the lead. It turns a slight brown color on top. After doing this for one day I have realized that I should have ordered the bottom pour. I ordered the small melter so I could do spinnerbaits, but I should have both. Thanks for all your help!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 I leave the lead in the pot. The crap on top is impurities remove it let it cool then get rid of it. You dont have to worry about scortching it but it not good on your molds might warp them. PS a bottom pour pot is safer and easy to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJT Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 I've used a sawzall to cut lead. Works out pretty good on skinny pieces but larges pieces can get to be a pain. I've also got a 75 pound block in the garage and need to cut it up today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rr316 Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 where are you guys getting 75 pound blocks from? Cripes I'm almost out and can't find anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDC Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Sent you am PM skeeterman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJT Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Look at your local scrap yards, they always have lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 I know you have already managed to cut the block, but my method would have been to chain drill a series of 1/4 dia holes close together across the block and then saw or do the hatchet thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwaskeeterman Posted February 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Man just get a hatchet and a shop hammer. I did it tonight and it worked. It takes some time but you will get through it. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogajiga Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 "rr316", got my block from a scrap yard. Trick with lead supply I learned over the years is not to wait to run low. Have maybe 1/2 ton but I'll keep buying if the price is right. I let everyone possible know that I'll buy lead scrap anytime, and run wanted ads in the local free classifieds trade paper and Craigslist. IMO price will continue to rise and supply will get tougher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwaskeeterman Posted February 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 I had actually chain drilled holes previous to trying the hatchet. You are correct it makes it easier. The lead will "run" up the bit so just pull it off and put it in the melter. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
