Walking Dead Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Yesterday, while pouring some lead into some football jig mold, I began to notice the amount of crud in the lead pot increasing while I was fluxing. I kept skimming and the amount kept increasing. I was not getting that silver lead color. I began to accumulate a gold in color 'plating' on the spoon I was using and it kept getting more and more difficult to flick it into the waste coffee can I use for the crap. Any idea what it was? I was thinking a brass or something was mixed into the lead or I got the bottom of the bowl from roto metals. first time this has happened to me. I had to toss at least 5 pounds. Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhahn427 Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 ........ Someone finally turned lead into gold........ Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking Dead Posted January 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 I have been informed I had to pot too hot. I will try again at number 6 on the Lee Pot and see how that goes. And Rhahn, If I only could! Darned stirring spoon now is gold plated at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apdriver Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Never seen anything like that. As I increase temps, my lead just turns blueish purple on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking Dead Posted January 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Spoon next to good lead bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 The description of the formation of the increasing crud, matches that of Zinc. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking Dead Posted January 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Here is a spoon of the crap next to an ingot of fluxed lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking Dead Posted January 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 The description of the formation of the increasing crud, matches that of Zinc. Dave Don't have a clue. Never seen this before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 I agree temp to high, as far as color could be any one of the many things added to different lead alloys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking Dead Posted January 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 OK. Learned something new. Just never had a Lee pot ever get too hot. Any recommendations on the number? Laser gauge showed 594 when this appeared. I understand neither the pot or gauge are exact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Hahn Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 This website might give you some answers! http://www.alchemywebsite.com/ Sorry, couldn't resist! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) Was there any bad smell associated with the yellow crud. A sulphur, bad eggs type smell. Here is a discussion very similar on a bullet site. Lots of informed comments from Sagacious, who used to post a lot here on TU. Dave Edited January 5, 2016 by Vodkaman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasilofchrisn Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 They have been able to turn lead into gold on a molecular level for years. Of course it's nowhere near cost effective. If only it was as easy as you describe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking Dead Posted January 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Vodkaman, your link was very informative and helpful. I believe I was melting the ingots way too hot for the pure lead I had and the results were a mess. I will adjust the heat and go for a lower setting. Thanks guys. Always a learner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 I have had this happen on a new Lee pot I bought a couple years ago. I have used this same lead in my RCBS and another Lee pot and did not have the crusty stuff except on the new lee pot. the lead I was using was hard lead, 6% antimony. I have had the lead turn gold before on top of the lead. I had some turn purple. The jigs I cast turned purple. I still have the jigs. don't know what to do with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 I have had this happen on a new Lee pot I bought a couple years ago. I have used this same lead in my RCBS and another Lee pot and did not have the crusty stuff except on the new lee pot. the lead I was using was hard lead, 6% antimony. I have had the lead turn gold before on top of the lead. I had some turn purple. The jigs I cast turned purple. I still have the jigs. don't know what to do with them. Paint them and go fishing. Heck, I go fishing some times with unpainted jigs and rely on the swim bait color and action. Can't say I see a difference. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salty's Posted January 6, 2016 Report Share Posted January 6, 2016 Well I see your problem you need to stop spooning with your lead Sorry I couldn't resist. That looks like calcium contamination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
