sparky508
02-24-2013, 06:00 PM
So I did my first castings this weekend. They were only ingots, but I think I learned a little bit from the process.
I think my lead was too hot, as I got some ingots that came out looking like they were case hardened, all rainbow colored. My lead turned purple after a bit, and then some other cool colors, and it seemed like I was constantly getting a layer of black junk on top, that after I skimmed and let cool, looked a lot like good lead later. (All coming from 99 pure lead stock i acquired.)
I was using a propane burner, a dutch oven and some cheap kitchen utensils for the operation. An electric pot is definitely in my future, along with a thermometer as controlling my temp was never achieved. Either so cold that only the center was molten or so hot that it turned cool colors.
I had a couple of commercial cast bullets on hand, and tossed them into the mix at one point, everything on top cleared up really nice, and then went to hell in a handcart again, I suspect that this was the heat issue again.
Here's what I think I learned......
• My lead was getting too hot
o Assuming color change and excessive dross was lead oxide?
o Ingots had a case hardened color to them?
• I need a thermometer to try and control temp better
• Ladles and spoons need to be hot or lead will stick to them
• A little paraffin goes a long way……………… :shock:
o Didn’t have sawdust to try but am going to keep a stash once the spring /summer projects kick in
• If your kitchen tools that you stole from your wife have welded handles, you might find yourself with handles and no tools, also a wife who wants a new spoon and ladle………………………..[smilie=1:
o I replaced the broken tools with one piece handles as the welds broke loose on the ones I liberated from the kitchen.
• Casting is fun.:mrgreen:
62323
Here's the product of my labor, 125#s of ingots, notice a couple of them look like the were case hardened?
I think my lead was too hot, as I got some ingots that came out looking like they were case hardened, all rainbow colored. My lead turned purple after a bit, and then some other cool colors, and it seemed like I was constantly getting a layer of black junk on top, that after I skimmed and let cool, looked a lot like good lead later. (All coming from 99 pure lead stock i acquired.)
I was using a propane burner, a dutch oven and some cheap kitchen utensils for the operation. An electric pot is definitely in my future, along with a thermometer as controlling my temp was never achieved. Either so cold that only the center was molten or so hot that it turned cool colors.
I had a couple of commercial cast bullets on hand, and tossed them into the mix at one point, everything on top cleared up really nice, and then went to hell in a handcart again, I suspect that this was the heat issue again.
Here's what I think I learned......
• My lead was getting too hot
o Assuming color change and excessive dross was lead oxide?
o Ingots had a case hardened color to them?
• I need a thermometer to try and control temp better
• Ladles and spoons need to be hot or lead will stick to them
• A little paraffin goes a long way……………… :shock:
o Didn’t have sawdust to try but am going to keep a stash once the spring /summer projects kick in
• If your kitchen tools that you stole from your wife have welded handles, you might find yourself with handles and no tools, also a wife who wants a new spoon and ladle………………………..[smilie=1:
o I replaced the broken tools with one piece handles as the welds broke loose on the ones I liberated from the kitchen.
• Casting is fun.:mrgreen:
62323
Here's the product of my labor, 125#s of ingots, notice a couple of them look like the were case hardened?