Haebar Posted August 8, 2003 Report Share Posted August 8, 2003 Anybody ever use battery lead for making jigs? I read where it has 12% antimony. How would that affect it's melting and durability? I have seen several old batteries dumped along the side of roads, under bridges, etc. and was thinking about splitting them open and salvaging the lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted August 9, 2003 Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 I have used batteries. It's a real pain in the neck! First I got some Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) from the local feed store and spread it over the batteries to netralize the acid. Them I chopped them apart the biggest portion of the lead came from the posts and the part on top of the battery. The plates had very little. On the average I got about 2 lbs of lead per battery, not enough to mesh with. So I never tried again. I read about how Doe Run Company in St Louis recycled old batteries. They run the batteries through a hammer mill to grind them up in small pieces, then they run that through water, the water floats out the impurities then the lead is ready to melt down. The antimony is lighter thant lead. It makes the lead harder and on hand pouring jigs antimony will make the spru harder to break off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haebar Posted August 9, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 If that's all the lead you get out of them, then it's not worth fooling with like you say. What is it that makes batteries heavy then? I always assumed it was mostly the lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celticav Posted August 9, 2003 Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 I got a good bit of lead from some batteries that were used in a couple of 18 wheelers. I like to use battery lead for jig heads, much harder than normal lead and really makes a jig last on those rocky bottoms. Overall they are not worth it though, the process is messy and not as productive as other sources, and there are other ways to make your lead harder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haebar Posted August 9, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 How much lead did you get from those batteries? How do you open them up, with a hatchet, saw? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celticav Posted August 10, 2003 Report Share Posted August 10, 2003 tons of baking soda and a hack saw, hammer, and a big screwdriver. Got a few pounds from each battery but as I said there are other ways to get hard lead that are safer and much more fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted August 10, 2003 Report Share Posted August 10, 2003 I used an axe to cut the batteries apart. I bought a bunch of big sheets of lead that had been used on walls of an x-ray room. I used a chain saw to cut it down to size to get in my pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maze Posted August 12, 2003 Report Share Posted August 12, 2003 One suggestion for a source of lead for you guys, your local Police, Sheriff and Fire Departments. Most have their own Auto Staff and if you toss them a few lures, tips or good spots, you can get a bucket full of wheel weights. They usually recycle them and use the cash gained to throw themselves a little lunch party every now and then. Last time, I got a 6 gal. pail full !! It's still in my garage waiting for me to get the equipment and motivation. lol I hope this helps. Maze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trollfish Posted September 7, 2003 Report Share Posted September 7, 2003 Nearly all the lead I have used has been recycled from batteries. When I get one I drain the acid by drill a hole low in each cell with a drill over a plastic tub. Let it drain by removing the caps and neutralize it with baking soda. Then I flush it with water and rinse. Using a hammer and sharpened cold chisel I cut away all the plastic I can. Sometimes I keep the acid in a plastic jug to clean up brass parts and such. Have even used it to restore a few batteries that were low on acid. Next I have a 55 gallon drum I have installed a grate in to burn wood and coal. The bottom has been dented out to make a depression like a bowl. Here in the bottom of the bowl I cut a hole for a drain. Poked holes for ventilation in the sides to keep it burning. Build a good hot wood fire, drop battery remains in. Put a collection pan underneath and let her go. The lead melts and runs out the bottom of the drum. Wait for it to cool and cut with cold chisel to fit my pot. I usually wait till I have five or six batteries and end up with enough lead to last a lifetime for peronal use. The lead makes nice jigs and spoons and are very durable. More so than pure lead which tends to dent easy. I use a Lee Production pot and have had no problems melting or pouring this lead. Be careful of two things, fumes from fire are noxious and are not good for you to breathe. Never do this in the rain, if water gets on lead that is in liquid form it will explode and splatter. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavu Posted September 23, 2003 Report Share Posted September 23, 2003 Other than recycling batteries, try going by you local tire dealers and making friends. They sell the used tire weights to someone, why not you? Another good source for lead type material is linotype. There is a lot of it around if youcan locate it. It was once used in the printing business. I got about 400 lbs from my local newspaper when they changed over to computers. Linotype is much harder than pure lead, and will leak from the pouring spout from some melting pots. I mix linotype at about 4 (lead) to 1 (linotype). Seems to be about right. Capt Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
