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Thread: smelting issues

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    smelting issues

    I am looking for suggestions. I was given 3 pcs of hard lead that are 9" in dia. and 1.25 thick. These do not fit in my smelting pot. Would a slow cooker element with a large pan for the lead work.....would it get hot enough?
    Or...is there a good method of cutting each of these into 2 pcs?

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master

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    An hatchet should cut thru them pretty well you just need to go deep enough on each side to be able to bend and break them. For easy of the cut a large hammer can be used to drive the hatchet in a straight line easier than swinging it

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master Tripplebeards's Avatar
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    Saws all, circular saw, or a $10 12" cast iron pan from Walmart.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master



    skeettx's Avatar
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    Propane torch and hang the lead from both top corners above your pot.
    Melt down the middle
    NRA Benefactor 2004 USAF RET 1971-95

  5. #5
    Boolit Master Retumbo's Avatar
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    I've used a stainless mixing bowl and hot plate before

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    Nice dilemma to have though!

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    I have just used a map gas or propane torch. Just melt the edge and let it drip in the pot

  8. #8
    Boolit Master Dan Cash's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by country gent View Post
    An hatchet should cut thru them pretty well you just need to go deep enough on each side to be able to bend and break them. For easy of the cut a large hammer can be used to drive the hatchet in a straight line easier than swinging it
    DO NOT STRIKE THE HATCHET WITH A HAMMER. Hammer or hatchet can and will spall sending a high velocity steel fragment flying. If it flys at you, it can penetrate leather gloves and then softer human tissue.

    Chop at the block with the hatchet, use a chisel or saw as recommended.
    To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, the trouble with many shooting experts is not that they're ignorant; its just that they know so much that isn't so.

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
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    Sounds like a job for a cold chisel to me, use EyePro & EarPro o'course

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
    toallmy's Avatar
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    It's time to get a bigger pot for smelting .

  11. #11
    Banned
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    Quote Originally Posted by toallmy View Post
    It's time to get a bigger pot for smelting .
    +1

    Get a heavy 12" steel pot at a thrift store

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
    triggerhappy243's Avatar
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    i like skeettx idea, but if all you have is a lee pot, i would lay it on a 2x4 on the concrete and let the lead melt and run off on to the concrete.

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy
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    Clamp a piece of lead in a vice. With a lubricated 3/8 inch bit, at low speed, drill holes across the piece as close together as possible. With line of holes horizontal, clamp lead on bottom half with vice. Grab top half with pipe wrench. Using gravity, pull down with pipe wrench to break piece of lead across line of holes.

  14. #14
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Like the others have said, you can cut them with several different types of power or hand saws. Or you can use a cold chisel, or a wedge or you can melt them with a torch. But why not go ahead and get a turkey fryer and a propane sized smelting pot? You will eventually have a chance at other large pieces of lead.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check