cutting a big chunk o lead ?!?

[Pertsev]

Recently aquired a 400lb counter weight from an old lathe.Looks like nice soft lead. Fellow drove into shop and dropped it on the floor.
Now,what can I do with it ??Too big to move easy,what is the best way to cut it up into smaller pieces? Have a large cast iron pot,will hold about 60lb.Thanks in advance.

[Jim]

Any chance you could post a photo? Sometimes, to see it helps with coming up with a solution.

[454PB]

If it's dead soft, an ax works, but it's a real workout.

[Wayne Smith]

Sawzall is your best solution - just collect the sawdust! If it's dead soft use a woodworking blade.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

If it's not too thick. 4" or less.
I'd use a Skil saw using the thinnest
carbide tipped blade you have.
cut about 1" deep per cut.
use some wax on the blade to lube it.
Jon

[NVScouter]

I had lots of stuff over the 100lb range to cut and asked this too.

1) Air Chisel works great with a angled chisel for making stuff smaller.

2) Sawzall w/wood blade worked ok but beats you up.

3) NEVER EVER USE A PLASMA CUTTER! I did and was istantly covered, after the tinsel fairy visit I realized I was stupid in trying. But the frustration had gotten to me by then.

4) Cutting torch lets you sluff off pieces the easiest.

[Wally]

I had a 150 Lb block of lead---I used a torch to melt it into pieces. Cutting will gum up the blade and you get lead dust---something that you are better off not ingesting IMHO. I tried an axe as well---I did not get very far when doing so.

[Triggerhappy]

Try a chain saw, use a tarp to contain the lead sawdust. Works well with a sharp chain.

[jpatm2]

Would a log splitter work?

[ronbo]

I used an air chisel to cut up soft telephone splicing lead. I was a cable splicer am retired. The air chisel works pretty good.

[Smoke-um if you got-um]

If it's dead soft, an ax works, but it's a real workout.

I keep a sharp hatchet and an 8 lb hammer beside the bench just for that purpose. Works very well.

[Pertsev]

Thanks for suggestions ! Will give the SKIL saw a try,my chain saw is not working. Will try to take a pic of the chunk beforehand.

[bigjake]

Would a log splitter work?

you bet it would!!

I've used one for a pipe/tube bender too!

[Lloyd Smale]

I keep an old chain saw just for cuting lead.

[a.squibload]

Only 400 lbs? Toss it aside to make room for the big one...:bigsmyl2:


Someone in another thread suggested a skilsaw with the blade backwards works pretty good. Lube with wax.

A friend has a tractor weight like that, won't give it up.

[Tom W.]

A cutting torch will get it into manageable pieces safely...

[Pertsev]

OK.thanks for all the suggestions.This is a great forum and some swell guys here. Do not have bottles for cutting torch,so we went with the Skil saw idea. This lead very thick,had to make several shallow cuts with saw,it kept binding.Had a cheap Harbor Frieght special$23.99 saw ,so do not feel too bad abusing it. After shallow cuts were made ,started pounding steel log splitting wedges into it. Managed to get one piece chopped up into several smaller ones.Largest piece weighs 70lbs. Am cooking them down right now in a large MAGMA bottom pour pot.Too much like work !
Have two more large pieces to go ! May wait till it warms up a bit and use pulley to lift them off floor and put them on top of a large propane burner to melt down to a better size.
Next time someone has a really large chunk 'O lead I might leave it be and stick to scrap yard stuff.................

[lwknight]

Its worth whatever work if its free or really cheap.