DAL357
09-30-2007, 01:10 AM
Today, after the wife and son left for a few hours, I set up my camp stove in the garage to smelt some WW. Since I don't have a thermometer, yet, I kept the temperature low and increased it slowly until the lead just started melting. It was slow going, but I finally found the spot on the control where to heat it just right. After skimming the clips, fluxing, and skimming the scum, I poured the contents into a muffin pan.
So far so good.
The problem came when I attempted to smelt my second batch of WW. This batch started to melt, but it seemed to stop after only about 5 mm of lead was melted on the bottom (the rest of the metal over the small amount of molten lead stayed the consistency of mud). I cautiously increased the temperature bit by bit, but it didn't seem to help. Finally, fearing zinc contamination, and running out of time and patience, I stopped for the day and threw away the contents.
Has anyone ever heard of this happening before? I'm new to casting (in fact, I haven't even used my bullet mould yet) so I thought I'd ask the pros here.
BTW, this casting on a camp stove leaves a lot to be desired. I don't need an operation for a huge volume, but I would like to more efficiently use my time. What I have on hand, about 200 pounds of WW, will likely last me a long time, but I need a better set up. Someone on another thread mentioned a weed burner from Harbor Freight that I think is on sale right now for around $20; I believe I might just look into this, the only problem being that I hate to buy a 20-lb. propane tank for something I'll probably only do once a year. Maybe I can rent a propane tank somewhere.
Thanks for any help on the above you can throw my way.
DAL357
So far so good.
The problem came when I attempted to smelt my second batch of WW. This batch started to melt, but it seemed to stop after only about 5 mm of lead was melted on the bottom (the rest of the metal over the small amount of molten lead stayed the consistency of mud). I cautiously increased the temperature bit by bit, but it didn't seem to help. Finally, fearing zinc contamination, and running out of time and patience, I stopped for the day and threw away the contents.
Has anyone ever heard of this happening before? I'm new to casting (in fact, I haven't even used my bullet mould yet) so I thought I'd ask the pros here.
BTW, this casting on a camp stove leaves a lot to be desired. I don't need an operation for a huge volume, but I would like to more efficiently use my time. What I have on hand, about 200 pounds of WW, will likely last me a long time, but I need a better set up. Someone on another thread mentioned a weed burner from Harbor Freight that I think is on sale right now for around $20; I believe I might just look into this, the only problem being that I hate to buy a 20-lb. propane tank for something I'll probably only do once a year. Maybe I can rent a propane tank somewhere.
Thanks for any help on the above you can throw my way.
DAL357