dieguy59
05-29-2011, 11:10 PM
Okay, been chomping at the bit to start melting some of the WW's, x-ray sheeting and other forms of pure lead, that I've been scrounging. So this morning, I finally bought the turkey fryer, split the old propane tank, welded a handle on a discer blade(to form a lid) and rounded up an assortment of skimmers, paint stir stick, gloves, welding coat, mini candles,face shield...etc.
A huge thanks to Blaser306 who stepped up with ingot molds and a ladle(mine are en route). He also stuck around to field some dumb questions and give some helpful pointers.
The goal was to melt a 3/4 of a pail of WW. I started with about 1/2 in the pot. As the mass started to melt down, it became apparent that I could safely add the rest. Scooped out all the clips and a couple of steelies that slipped in. Fluxed with beeswax and started making ingots. Fluxed a second time about 1/2 way through. The result was 102 (approx 1lb) ingots.
With more time on my hands than expected, I got ready to do the pure stuff. Stuffed in a big roll of sheeting, a 6"x6"x6" block and cut up a bunch of flat bar to fill the spaces. Fluxed twice, again. The result was a pile of 136 shiny ingots.
Some of the things I learned for next time: a) Get cinder blocks to raise(safely) the burner up to a more comfortable height. My back is less than impressed. b) Pay attention to the heat/thermometer as the volume in the pot goes down. Some of my latter WW ingots were a little dull in color. c) Have a stronger work table. It's easier to stack ingots that have been poured on a flat table:lol:
Thanks to everyone that posts tip here. Especially the one that mention their mistakes. I've learned a lot from reading your experiences. The fun has just begun.http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_176724de30968f2a2e.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1015)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_176724de309cf2c00d.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1016)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_176724de309e219e20.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1017)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_176724de30a059c2ec.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1018)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_176724de30a16bf11d.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1019)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_176724de30a2a30ac6.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1020)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_176724de30a44b1e69.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1021)
A huge thanks to Blaser306 who stepped up with ingot molds and a ladle(mine are en route). He also stuck around to field some dumb questions and give some helpful pointers.
The goal was to melt a 3/4 of a pail of WW. I started with about 1/2 in the pot. As the mass started to melt down, it became apparent that I could safely add the rest. Scooped out all the clips and a couple of steelies that slipped in. Fluxed with beeswax and started making ingots. Fluxed a second time about 1/2 way through. The result was 102 (approx 1lb) ingots.
With more time on my hands than expected, I got ready to do the pure stuff. Stuffed in a big roll of sheeting, a 6"x6"x6" block and cut up a bunch of flat bar to fill the spaces. Fluxed twice, again. The result was a pile of 136 shiny ingots.
Some of the things I learned for next time: a) Get cinder blocks to raise(safely) the burner up to a more comfortable height. My back is less than impressed. b) Pay attention to the heat/thermometer as the volume in the pot goes down. Some of my latter WW ingots were a little dull in color. c) Have a stronger work table. It's easier to stack ingots that have been poured on a flat table:lol:
Thanks to everyone that posts tip here. Especially the one that mention their mistakes. I've learned a lot from reading your experiences. The fun has just begun.http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_176724de30968f2a2e.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1015)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_176724de309cf2c00d.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1016)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_176724de309e219e20.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1017)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_176724de30a059c2ec.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1018)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_176724de30a16bf11d.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1019)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_176724de30a2a30ac6.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1020)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_176724de30a44b1e69.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1021)