KaliforniaRebel
05-12-2012, 01:25 AM
Instead of using wheel weights this time, I thought I'd try to melt down the battery terminals instead to see if it's feasible to substitute the connectors once the death of wheel weights is upon us (maybe). I go to a nearby junkyard for scrap lead and usually they'll part with some. The yard doesn't care if I take a pocketful or two, but I couldn't have it all otherwise CAL OSHA would be asking questions where their scrap is going due to possible hazmat contamination through public means. :-x I call it B.S.
Anyway, I get what they'll separate with and I toss it into my melter.
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad120/Swagman00/CIMG1723.jpg
Yes, I know it's aluminum and I hear the "You really shouldn't use aluminum" argument quite a bit. The heating element is only 1000w and it takes FOREVER to heat up. Being that I have it as low as possible for casting, I have no fear of the lead either overheating or the aluminum getting hot enough to melt the pot.
Anyway, the junk and lead part ways in the pot. I can't believe how much garbage the terminals have compared to wheel weights. It must be like 3 times more then just the clips you pull out.
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad120/Swagman00/CIMG1726.jpg
End result after junk removal is about 19 and one half 1/2 ib. bars. I stick with the half pounders for the Lee 10 ib. bottom pour. I have no idea on hardness or alloy content, but I imagine somebody here has already tried it.
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad120/Swagman00/CIMG1729.jpg
Other then that, I let my henchmen stack it up for casting later. : )
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad120/Swagman00/CIMG1731.jpg
Anyway, I get what they'll separate with and I toss it into my melter.
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad120/Swagman00/CIMG1723.jpg
Yes, I know it's aluminum and I hear the "You really shouldn't use aluminum" argument quite a bit. The heating element is only 1000w and it takes FOREVER to heat up. Being that I have it as low as possible for casting, I have no fear of the lead either overheating or the aluminum getting hot enough to melt the pot.
Anyway, the junk and lead part ways in the pot. I can't believe how much garbage the terminals have compared to wheel weights. It must be like 3 times more then just the clips you pull out.
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad120/Swagman00/CIMG1726.jpg
End result after junk removal is about 19 and one half 1/2 ib. bars. I stick with the half pounders for the Lee 10 ib. bottom pour. I have no idea on hardness or alloy content, but I imagine somebody here has already tried it.
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad120/Swagman00/CIMG1729.jpg
Other then that, I let my henchmen stack it up for casting later. : )
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad120/Swagman00/CIMG1731.jpg