Good lead find, hard work required.

[Oreo]

Sawzaw. I concur.

Get a handfull of good sharp, long blades too. Probably make the work go quicker.

[jeepguy242]

after trying the saw method, i am going to cast my vote for the cutting torch and melting it into ingots

[Huntducks]

Last year I got into a keel my share was 12> 3/4 full 5gal buckets of shot which I figured the weight at appox 1100lbs it was a mix of 4-5-8-9 the doves and crows did not seem to mind.

My cost was about $125 buying some buckets and lunch for two 15 year olds + gas.
They also went thru about 20 box's of shells.

[a.squibload]

Nice score!
Hard to imagine that much lead on something that's intended to float.

I would saw off a piece off for testing, see how it casts, etc.
Then you'll know if sawing is how you want to cut up the whole thing.
It's already one big ingot, no need to melt and re-ingotize if sawing works for ya.
Melting and pouring would cost a lot of fuel.

[Littlewolf]

my vote is on the torch

[blikseme300]

my vote is on the torch

Nah, I would just make a large enough melting pot.

Bliksem

Ps What a score

[blackthorn]

I think I would build a BIG bonfire over it and then the run-off should be easier to handle.

[greenbud]

so how much does it weight and what is it worth....

The as far as my wife is concerned answer

[Revolver]

Chainsaw wins. Cut about 1/4 of it off today and hauled home just under 1000 lbs. BIG JOB! Greenbud and I worked together and we were pooped! Cutting it was not very hard compared to loading it on the truck, next time will cut it smaller. The saw cut about 60" then needed to be sharpened. The blades weren't dull, they were rolled, strange... greenbud sharpened it up good for next time.

I took video, will post it up soon if you all are interested.

[mold maker]

Cutting torches that would do the job are too hot. You will vaporize lead and produce a dangerous fume.
I'd use a mechanical cutter of some sort. A chain saw over a big tarp will produce collectible chips. Cut around the fasteners and expect there to be angles bent, or heads, on the embedded ends.
Thats a great find

[Revolver]

Here is todays haul...

I calculated the big one to weigh 673 lbs, small one 272 lbs, and the bucket of shavings weighs in at 47 lbs, which is from 2 cuts.

992 lbs.

I have an old 1 ton truck and it was dogging pretty hard going up hills. The big chunk slid to one side when I turned a corner (even though I went slow to avoid this) and the truck was sitting very crooked. Took 5 minutes on the side of the road to re-center the load.

[Fishman]

Those chips would make some interesting shotshells. Wonder what they'd be good for?

Anyway, congratulations are in order. You may have a lifetime supply.

[canyon-ghost]

Good going, that is a LOT of lead!

[Revolver]

The chainsaw vid... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5oz9IJ_5O0

[a.squibload]

Not bad, I vote for chainsaw!
Doubt the respirator was necessary, how big was the
smallest bit you found? Thinking that even a tiny piece
would not become airborne.

[greenbud]

Not bad, I vote for chainsaw!
Doubt the respirator was necessary, how big was the
smallest bit you found? Thinking that even a tiny piece
would not become airborne.

There was alot more dust from the chain saw then you would think. The resperator was needed big time.

[greenbud]

Click for video of us removing it.

note filming was limited do to safty concerns that the keel could let go at any time. This is by far one of the most scary things I have ever worked on. The thump when it hit the ground reminded me of godzilla in the old films!!!!

[Lizard333]

Maybe it's just me, can't view the video, says it unavailable.

[greenbud]

Maybe it's just me, can't view the video, says it unavailable.

nope its just you just checked all of them