Author Topic: Soft Lead Find (Read 738 times)

JCP · « **on:** September 17, 2004, 08:37:07 AM »

Today I found 4 bars of very soft lead (race car weights) they weigh 30 lbs. each. Got all 4 for 25 bucks. The guy has wheel weights by the 5 gal. buckets full. I can cast like crazy now. :-D

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2004, 01:33:18 PM »

Quote from: JCP

Today I found 4 bars of very soft lead (race car weights) they weigh 30 lbs. each. Got all 4 for 25 bucks. The guy has wheel weights by the 5 gal. buckets full. I can cast like crazy now. :-D

Did you get enough to share?

(sorry, couldn't resist)

JCP · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2004, 01:33:33 PM »

Melted about 7lbs. of the soft lead today and couldn't get it to fill out very well. I turned the heat up but all I got was a lot of scum on top. When you turn the heat down most of the scum goes away but it's to cold to pore. What am I doing wrong. The scum was shiny like tin , some of it had a grey oxide color. All I had to flux with was parffin wax. What am I doing wrong.

JCP · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2004, 01:37:54 PM »

No Cat, I guess i'll be gready and keep it all, sure would like to have some professional help though. My sons and myself are new to this casting and BPCR stuff but we will learn. Once you get into it you just can't stay away.

IntrepidWizard · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2004, 01:44:17 PM »

Use Crisco and vary your temp.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2004, 01:48:04 PM »

Pure lead doesn't cast well.

Adding a LITTLE tin will help, (1:20 1:40 or so) and will tend to harden the alloy.

Heating the mould will help too. You don't have to KNOW the temperature, but I've found moulds should be at least 400 d F to fill out well.

Preheat the mould by dipping a corner in the melt.

Another issue that you may be dealing with is needing to clean the alloy better. I always melt the scrap in large pot outdoors and stir and flux well. The the gray stuff is oxide of the metals. Skim often, keeping oxygen from the melt helps (burning something like a little wax or sawdust is typically done).

JCP · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2004, 03:49:40 PM »

Thanks for the help guys, i'll give the crisco and sawdust a try tomorrow. I will also heat the mold. Let you know how it comes out.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2004, 06:35:52 PM »

Poor man's temperature control is to drop a bit of parafin on your alloy. If it bursts into flames in less than a slow count of five or six, it's too hot. If it does not flame in 10-15 seconds, it's too cold.

JCP · « **Reply #8 on:** September 18, 2004, 03:47:05 AM »

Thanks leftoverdh, I tried the crisco and saw dust this morning and it worked like a charm. I only had time to cast about 30 405gr bullets and only three were rejects.