Author Topic: cutting lead (Read 1052 times)

kevin.303 · « **on:** May 05, 2005, 02:34:24 PM »

Ive got about 60 pounds of lead to use for bullets and sinkers. Problem is its all in 20-pound bars. Whats the best way to cut it apart so it will fit into a melting pot?

Robert · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2005, 03:52:23 PM »

A skillsaw or chopsaw with a carbide blade cuts it cleanly without clogging the blade. A Reciprocating saw does not work. Just be very careful that it is held tightly and don't get cut.

mjgear · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2005, 04:00:59 PM »

I just use a coal chisel to pound around the bar which cuts in about an inch all around. I then have an old brick layers bolster which I have sharpened up and a few hits with the lump hammer on that cuts off the chunk.

You can work up a sweat but it only becomes real hard work if you need to do more than 10 or 15 cuts in a sitting

Regards

Michael ga

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2005, 04:04:06 PM »

im suprised no one said this one,

use a propain torch have it seting on some thing proped over one of them cheapo toss a way metal rosting pans

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2005, 11:01:10 PM »

if you go this route make sure your outside and down wind as you will be heating the lead to the point where it will be giving off lead vapors and belive me from personal experience lead poisoning is not fun.

Quote from: SLAVAGE

im suprised no one said this one,

use a propain torch have it seting on some thing proped over one of them cheapo toss a way metal rosting pans

Smokin Joe · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2005, 04:31:30 AM »

I use a small axe

Robert · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2005, 04:54:51 AM »

I have used an Axe and a torch, both ar Brutal for any large quantity. Once you try a good carbide tooth blade, you will never go back. It cuts cleanly and easily. Use the saw over some carboard or a drop cloth and you can easily pick up the lead shavings like the shavings from a router and throw them in the pot. They come off in little slivers that look like Christmas tinsel the width of the cabide teeth. In fact..the el-cheapo carbide blades with the fatter teeth cut the fastest. I don't know if you have ever tried beating lead with an axe....but it aint no fun. The saw is quick and painless.

jh45gun · « **Reply #7 on:** May 06, 2005, 07:27:43 AM »

I melt it and pour it into a muffin tin that is for small muffins. These fit into my Lee furnace real nice. Jim

Robert · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2005, 02:38:19 PM »

I forgot to mention....for small ingots....the absolute easiest thing is a Bolt Cutter....and like j45gun...I make weird ingots. I use the little cast iron spoon holder/ashtrays that they sell for camping supplies. I call them cookies...about 4 inch diameter..1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. These are great beacause I can scratch WW, PL or whatever allot they are into them and then stack them neatly.....and they fit right into my Pro 20. If I want to change alloy....I just heat up whats in the pot and pour it out the top into another cookie. Wait 2 minutes and just turn it upside down and it falls out. Anothe GREAT thing about these 'Cookies'...if in doubt what they are...just tap it with a screwdriver handle. W/W rings like a bell...Pure lead just goes 'thunk'...other alloys make a sound somewhere in between.

Will52100 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 06, 2005, 08:29:38 PM »

I use my metal cutting bandsaw.

powderburner · « **Reply #10 on:** May 10, 2005, 05:40:37 AM »

Kinda sounds like you need a bigger pot to smelt lead to cast into ingots

.......................... Dean cannot never have a big enough pot

Will52100 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 10, 2005, 05:21:39 PM »

Well, I recently got ahold of some old plumber's lead that was melted in aparently a Large pot, had to 1/4 them just to fit in my pot and found out the band saw won't quite handle that thick a lead. Oxy propane torch worked wonders. :shock:

willbird · « **Reply #12 on:** May 17, 2005, 06:53:21 AM »

I have used an oldish hatchet and a large hammer.....worked OK for me

Bill