Hello all,
Just cast my first ingots today after just having acquired materials/WWs to cast over the last couple of weeks, and got happy enough with the results that I decided to post. Figured that today was a good a day since I had some free time after everyone opened their presents. I'm also looking for ideas about something towards the end of the post.
I acquired everything you see, except for the 3 buckets of WWs that I scored recently on the lower left, from an older gentleman who no longer felt the need to cast. After researching the basic tools required to get started, I discovered that I was given literally everything I would need to start; hence my ability to cast so quickly. He left alox, wax, ladles, molds, etc., etc....pretty much everything I've been reading about and/or seeing on videos.
After setting everything up and getting the pot to 600+ degrees, I began melting the WWs and removing lots of dross...was surprised how much I kept removing!
I think I took out lead with the dross as well, but I'm sure I'll get better with more practice. Once the lead started looking clean, I fluxed with wax a few times to ensure a better result.
Final product! I was amazed at how much the ladle weighed when I was pouring the molds, but I'll get used to that too, I suppose.
Now to my question. I found it difficult to get the last bit of molten lead from the bottom of the pail in to the ladle, while also noticing that this last amount of lead had what appeared to be a good bit of dross. Do y'all:
a) Keep removing the dross and use up every bit of molten lead? If yes, how do you get it out short of trying to pick up that very hot pail?
b) Pour out the last bit of molten lead, apparent dross included or not?
c) Let the remaining lead cool until the next melting session.
I thought about doing (a), but had a heck of a time getting that last bit out...any ideas? Thanks for reading.