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I've noticed on several BPCR Sites, new Shooters asking about the Lead Processing phase
of Bullet Casting. I took these the last time I was working raw product.
I prefer to do this stage outside. I keep everything low to the ground to avoid burns
and spills. The CDX makes a good flat
surface to work from. Even with the CDX you are going to heat damage the grass underneath. Long sleaves,
heavy gloves and boots are a safety must. I usually set up a canopy for hot sunny days or if a rain should start.
Some Casters use everything from Plumber's Pots to Turkey Fryers. I prefer a 2 burner
cast iron stove. These are cheap and
will do the job. I use the large Channel Locks to move or pick
up the molded ignots. To the left of these is a cast iron spoon
with holes in the bottom this allows you to skim the pot faster
with less motion.
Starting from the left notice on top of the white bucket is beeswax used to flux the
lead pot. A large Ladle to pour lead into the Mould.
A one pound bar of Tin to mix alloy.
A cast iron cup cake pan makes a good one pound mould.
Don't worry about cleaning the lead product. The dirt and in the case of Wheel
Weights even the steel clips will float to the
top. Once melted the residue can be skimmed to one side and
removed to a metal coffee can.
I mould appox. 2 1/2 pound cakes of lead. I took a piece of 3/4" plywood and built this
frame around a standard cupcake pan. The trick is to use machine bolts and nuts in the center
of each cupcake to hold it in place . Do not use
screws, the heat from the lead will soon burn the wood away from the screw threads. This will damage
your pan. Notice the
wood extension on the front, this allows for easy turn over and
later serves a device to push the hot cupcakes away to allow
room for the next batch.
Once turned over you will find not all the lead has fell out.
You can either drop the mould again or use a hammer to
lightly hit the plywood backing.
The next two photos look the same, but they are not.
In the second photo the lead has melted and what you see is
the residue, dirt etc. that remains as a ghost.
Roger Wier favors the Turkey Fryer to melt his lead. Roger reports he can process 100 pounds into ingots in one
hour.
| Photo courtesy of Roger Weir |
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Anybody see anything wrong with this picture?
Please do not wear shorts or sleeveless shirts, tennis shoes are also bad news. One shooter from
Mc Donald was wearing
a leather apron, gloves, goggles and house shoes. He was badly burned in a spill and
was limping for months. Besides that none of us have the legs
to pull shorts off anyway!
Exiting Soap Box....
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