wiredhatred Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 (edited) I forgot to buy a lead ingot mold and was wondering if it would be alright to put molten lead in old soda cans (cleaned and dried first of course with lids removed). I know the melting point of aluminum is 1220.666 °F, around twice as high as lead (621.5 °F) but being so thin I wondered if it could melt the aluminum anyways. I feel almost dumb for asking, but I have always thought there are no stupid questions...especially about safety. Always better to be safe than sorry. I figure if it doesnt melt them, aluminum cans would be a great, easy, and inexpensive mold to use for extra lead. You could just peel away the aluminum to retrieve the lead disc. Edited January 10, 2009 by wiredhatred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSC Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 I have used them as "Drip Cans" for a long time ... until I foud my old SAECO Ingot Mold. I all ways cut them off just below the "Rounded Part" at the top of the can ... never had any trouble ... My JSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basseducer Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 You can always swipe an old cup cake or muffin pan from mamma, they are tapered and the lead just falls out of the when you tip them over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diemai Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 I cast lead disc sinkers in aluminium casings of tea warmer candles , no problems about it , even though these casings are quite thin . The lead is not hot enough to harm it ! greetz:yay: , diemai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 I don't know why it wouldn't work just fine. I have used a piece of angle iron with the ends bent for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jig Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 you can. a buddy of mine did it for heavy weights for deep water comm. fishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 You can always swipe an old cup cake or muffin pan from mamma, they are tapered and the lead just falls out of the when you tip them over. DON'T GET CAUGHT! I know others that have used the c-cake pans also. Never had a problem, until the "boss" found out lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiredhatred Posted January 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 Thanks fellas, appreciate it. Thought about the muffin pan deal but I didnt know they just fell out, thought it have to put work into just removing the lead. Now, ive got the lee precision melter and wondered since ive got to scoop out all the excess lead, would the remainder of the lead I couldnt scoop out (and I sure as hell dont want to tip the whole melter to get the rest out) just fall out too when the heater and lead cooled down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basseducer Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 (edited) OK wired, I'm confused. I suggested the muffin pan to make ingots. When cool, the ingots just fall out of the pan. Unless you are trying to clean the pot, why would you want to get all the lead out of it? Usually you just keep the top of the lead clean by scooping the surface gunk before pouring. When you are done you just unplug the pot and let it cool. When you are ready to pour again you just plug it in and let it heat up. Edited January 11, 2009 by Basseducer Add info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiredhatred Posted January 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 (edited) I wasnt sure if it was a good idea to leave lead in my melting pot for a while. Just wanted to clear that up. Never done this before, I want to go into this with confidence and knowledge. Just wondering if the lead would come out of my melter as easy as the muffin pans. I would want to clean it for storage as right now I do not know how often I will be pouring lead. I dont want to keep lead in the pot in case moisture built between the lead and pot (somehow?) and want to keep dirt and debris off the lead as well. Id rather learn from experienced people than to learn from serious burns. Thanks. Edited January 11, 2009 by wiredhatred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basseducer Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 You can rest easy if you leave the lead in the pot. I have an RCBS pot that I use all the time and a precision melter with soft lead for those difficult molds that I use less often. You can throw a shop towel over it after it cools or use a piece of aluminum foil to keep debris out. As far as moisture goes, if it does get any condensation in it, it will evaporate as the pot heats up and you most likely will never know it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiredhatred Posted January 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 Oh ok, thank you very much sir. Being inexperienced im taking safety to the extreme. Wont take long to be experienced though, im getting the rest of my order on the 13th so jigs away of me! I cant wait!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basseducer Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 Hey wired, it that Gustine CA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 Hey Wired, nothing wrong with being over cautious, safety should always be the first consideration. Nothing wrong with the questions either. Others have asked all of them in the past. Good luck with the pouring. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbor Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 You are wasting your time with cans, go to a thrift store and buy any steel or iron muffin type pan. Usually less than $2.50. Ive poured a few drags in tin cans and what a pain. Alum cans may easily burn through and the work of cleaning and removing the lids is not worth the hassle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
