What do I need to get now?

[Lead melter]

Okay, I got the turkey fryer for smelting, and have an old, slightly rusted cast iron dutch oven on the way [it pays to be nice to the ladies at work, they replace cookwear and hubby pays for it], and I have the mini-muffin pan I use for ingot molds. Now the question is, how do I transfer the 40 lbs of smelted metal from the dutch oven to the muffin pan without burning myself? Is there some sort of handy ladle or something?:confused:

[NuJudge]

You seem to be intending to operate in batch mode. This is how I have always operated, but with the advent of large numbers of Zinc wheelweights, I will probably shift to a continuous flow mode. By continuous flow, I'm saying look closely at each wheelweight as I throw it into the hot Dutch Oven, and when the level of Lead gets high enough, clean out the clips and ash, and Ladle out some Lead to ingot molds, leaving a Heel in the hot Dutch Oven, then continue examining and adding wheelweights to the pot.

In batch mode, my Dutch Oven has a Bail on it, which I pick up with a thick leather-gloved hand. I also put a pair of locking pliers on one end of it as a second handle so the Dutch oven does not slop any Lead down my leg. Lift, turn, and pour.

In the alternative, for continuous flow, Ladles are available up to 5 pounds or so. You can also quietly raid SWMBO's kitchen implements, but if you get caught, we will say prayers for your peaceful repose.
http://www.advancecarmover.com/details.php?sku=03603&line=Ladles&p (http://www.advancecarmover.com/details.php?sku=03603&line=Ladles&pname=Rowell_ladle_#3)
name=Rowell_ladle_#3 (http://www.advancecarmover.com/details.php?sku=03603&line=Ladles&pname=Rowell_ladle_#3)
http://www.theantimonyman.com/ladles.htm
http://www.target.com/Joy-Cooking-4-pc-Tool-Set/dp/B000HJZS7O/sr= (http://www.target.com/Joy-Cooking-4-pc-Tool-Set/dp/B000HJZS7O/sr=1-7/qid=1201457105/ref=sr_1_7/602-0204684-6495865?ie=UTF8&rh=k%3Akitchen%20ladle%20set&page=1)
1-7/qid=1201457105/ref=sr_1_7/602-0204684-6495865?ie=UTF8&rh=k%3 (http://www.target.com/Joy-Cooking-4-pc-Tool-Set/dp/B000HJZS7O/sr=1-7/qid=1201457105/ref=sr_1_7/602-0204684-6495865?ie=UTF8&rh=k%3Akitchen%20ladle%20set&page=1)
Akitchen%20ladle%20set&page=1 (http://www.target.com/Joy-Cooking-4-pc-Tool-Set/dp/B000HJZS7O/sr=1-7/qid=1201457105/ref=sr_1_7/602-0204684-6495865?ie=UTF8&rh=k%3Akitchen%20ladle%20set&page=1)

Some people here drill their Dutch Oven and put a stopper rod to allow them to tap directly from the Dutch Oven to Ingot Molds.

CDD

[Buckshot]

...............I just use a sauce ladle (I guess that's what you call it). Like one for ladleing out spaghetti sauce. Basicly a half a ball with a long handle.

.................Buckshot

[454PB]

Just be sure the handle is riveted on, welded handles tend to fail at the worst possible time. I got one at the Salvation Army thrift store for $1.50.

[grumpy one]

Depends how brave/macho/dumb you are. (Those are alternative terms, in this context. Males tend to choose left-hand options, females right-hand options. Sometimes I have to suspect they're ahead of us in some ways). It can be kind of unpleasant to find yourself holding a bulky container with 30 or more pounds of molten lead lead in it, when your hands are getting burned or one of the handles is slipping off.

I'm a small-batch smelter myself, so I've welded handles and a pouring lip on my 12/15 pound steel pot, and drilled lots of holes in the handles so they function as heat breaks: the part where my leather gloves go is kept cool enough so the heat doesn't break through excessively in the time I'm holding the pot. I only added those holes after I found my hands were getting burned, though. For a medium-batch smelter, you need (IM rather firmly held O) a ladle, with an insulated handle as well as using gloves. A large-batch smelter should have a bottom-pour spout, as well as some other more advanced safety features, such as being positioned on a slope with the operator standing higher than any of the surrounding ground.

[Lead melter]

With the weather forecast being sunny tomorrow, and seeing as I have about 165 lbs of WW to smelt, I may just give it a go with my current pot. It consists of a piece of 6" stainless 1/4" thick pipe with a 1/4" bottom welded on. A makeshift bail handle is attached via holes in the side and bent 3/16" rod inserted. It also has a 'formed' lip for pouring, and a 1/2" nut welded to the side in which I screw a 5" bolt to act as a pour handle. The whole gizmo will hold about 12 lbs of alloy. It works on top of the old Coleman camp stove, but brother is it slow. Stopped at a discount store today and picked up a stainless ladle and stainless skimmer for a buck each. They are not the heaviest possible, but for a dollar, it's worth a try.

[montana_charlie]

Is there some sort of handy ladle or something?
Get on eBay and type in lead ladle.
Even if you don't buy any of them, it will give you an idea of what is out there.
You can do the same trick for castiron pot, muffin pan, and lead ingot.
It is amazing what you can find, if you look for it.
CM

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I bought a stamped out stainless steel ladle and spoon kit at a dollar store when I started using the turkey cooker method. It's worked great for me. None of the tools is welded or riveted, as it's all stamped out of one piece, so nothing to break at a inopportune moment.

Hope this helps,

Dave