Pics of proposed lead melter

[Just Duke]

How does this set up look? I would run 2 very large cast iron Dutch Ovens.
I would use it without the leg extensions though.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd255/EBRSOPMODS/50%20CALIBERFORUM/01453.jpg


http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&
catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=67016&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults






Logic Dutch Oven with Spiral Bail and Iron Cover 9 Qt.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd255/EBRSOPMODS/50%20CALIBERFORUM/9qtDutchOven.jpg


https://secure.lodgemfg.com/storefront/product1.asp?menu=logic&idProduct=3948






.

[VTDW]

Duke,

If'n I had one of them contraptions I'd have to go a noodlin for sure.:-D

Dave

[C A Plater]

Rather than spend the money on a fine Lodge dutch oven, you might want to consider a cheaper alternative like these 10" dutch oven (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44706) and 12" dutch oven (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44705) from Harbor Freight. Way cheaper and they do not come with pre-seasoned coating that will have to be burned off. Buffalo Arms also carries this nice 8" dia. Cast Iron Lead Pot (http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,3442.html) with a long bail handle and a pouring spout.

[Just Duke]

Duke,

If'n I had one of them contraptions I'd have to go a noodlin for sure.:-D

Dave


Noodlin for Catfish! I remember those days when I was a kid. ;)

[Just Duke]

Rather than spend the money on a fine Lodge dutch oven, you might want to consider a cheaper alternative like these 10" dutch oven (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44706) and 12" dutch oven (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44705) from Harbor Freight. Way cheaper and they do not come with pre-seasoned coating that will have to be burned off. Buffalo Arms also carries this nice 8" dia. Cast Iron Lead Pot (http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,3442.html) with a long bail handle and a pouring spout.

Wow! Thanks for the links. I can just hacksaw the legs off and grind them flat. Great price!

[imashooter2]

Wow! Thanks for the links. I can just hacksaw the legs off and grind them flat. Great price!

No requirement. The legs just go down between the supports in the grill.

[Just Duke]

No requirement. The legs just go down between the supports in the grill.

The legs on the Dutch Oven sir.

[imashooter2]

The legs on the Dutch Oven sir.

Yes, the legs on the Dutch oven will just fit down in the openings on the grill and the bottom of the pot will sit flat. You could even call it a safety provision... keeps the pot from sliding off the grill.

[OBXPilgrim]

BTW, if you're going to put two of those on that stove, you better have a firm support under it. It would be no fun having 2 6qt dutch ovens full of molten lead tip over - most definitely will ruin your day.

Some of these guys will probably chime in to tell us how much weight you'd have on that stove, and I think you'll be surprised. If you can stand on it, after you have it set up, should be plenty strong enough.

Be safe, have fun.

[Just Duke]

Your right. Looks like it needs center supports front and back.

[waksupi]

Oops! Sorry, Duke. I was "shortening" the links, and accidently removed one of your pictures!

[Just Duke]

Oops! Sorry, Duke. I was "shortening" the links, and accidently removed one of your pictures!


I fixed it sir. :-D

[GLL]

Duke:

I use a modified Camp Chef stove like yours for my smelting. Mine is a single burner version which I would think you should examine. It is the "HIGH PRESSURE" (60,000BTUs)model and sounds like a 747 on take-off when cranked up ! Infinitely better than the standard pressure version. In the photo you can see a couple of the smelting pots I have welded up from heavy steel tubing remnants. Subsequent to the photo I have welded extra braces on the burner so it will now easily support 400 pounds in the larger pot with added safety margin.

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/884739BFB73F683/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/81709C22AE6BD45/standard.jpg

[Just Duke]

Thanks sharing the pics GLL. Yea it sounds like the camp chef is the way to go.

[hotwheelz]

Nice set up GLL, do you have a crane or some way to top pick your melting pots looks like you have some rings at the top for picking???

[94Doug]

Shop around for the burners too..... I think that might be a little high. Even Chef Paul Prudhomme sells a single cast iron burner on a 22 inch high stand for $95 in his catalog.... 35,000 btu burner. A real nice 2 burner on wheels for $329. You could smelt on one, and Blacken a steak on the other. Or not.

Doug

[Just Duke]

Shop around for the burners too..... I think that might be a little high. Even Chef Paul Prudhomme sells a single cast iron burner on a 22 inch high stand for $95 in his catalog.... 35,000 btu burner. A real nice 2 burner on wheels for $329. You could smelt on one, and Blacken a steak on the other. Or not.

Doug

Ouch! That is a little pricey! The Camp Chef from Basspro is only $130.00
I would not cook on this burner after melting decayed ur**anium which is what lead is if I recall.

[GLL]

Duke:

Take Doug's advance and shop around for good deals. I still recommend the HIGH PRESSURE Camp Chef single burner model though. It puts out over 60,000BTUs. I have purchased several of their burners (for camping purposes) from a local Mexican restaurant supply house here in Los Angeles for heavily discounted prices (speaking Spanish is required though ! :) ).

Jerry

[GLL]

Hotwheelz:

I have made up six of the smelting pots out of steel tubing. Each has "lifting" holes. I have a heavy portable engine hoist that is rolled up and chained onto the pots once the smelting is done (never rolled with liquid metal). Each pot is used for a specific alloy and there is always some left in the bottom. 200-300 pounds of wheel weights can be handled with ease. I can also move hot (but solid) material on or off with safety without having to wait for everything to cool off.

I am really cheap (Scottish) and the remnant steel tubing was a really inexpensive way to go !
Having access to a heavy duty plasma torch and welding equipment was a bonus !

Jerry

[Just Duke]

Duke:

Take Doug's advance and shop around for good deals. I still recommend the HIGH PRESSURE Camp Chef single burner model though. It puts out over 60,000BTUs. I have purchased several of their burners (for camping purposes) from a local Mexican restaurant supply house here in Los Angeles for heavily discounted prices (speaking Spanish is required though ! :) ).

Jerry

Gotcha! Further reading netted mee the one I have pictured only has one side the cooks at the higher BTU's.


Here is the one you suggest I should get.


http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd255/EBRSOPMODS/50%20CALIBERFORUM/CAMPCHEFBURNER.jpg

[Springfield]

35,00 btu is OK,but I have much better luck with my single burner 70,000 btu model. I got it at the sporting goods store. I can melt 200 lbs at a time with my pot. Those cast iron pots look too shallow to me. Just go find a big steel soup pot.

[Just Duke]

Hotwheelz:

I have made up six of the smelting pots out of steel tubing. Each has "lifting" holes. I have a heavy portable engine hoist that is rolled up and chained onto the pots once the smelting is done (never rolled with liquid metal). Each pot is used for a specific alloy and there is always some left in the bottom. 200-300 pounds of wheel weights can be handled with ease. I can also move hot (but solid) material on or off with safety without having to wait for everything to cool off.

I am really cheap (Scottish) and the remnant steel tubing was a really inexpensive way to go !
Having access to a heavy duty plasma torch and welding equipment was a bonus !

Jerry


Can you sell me one? :-D

[Just Duke]

Here it is

http://www.campchef.com/catalog/item/1/10/0/SH140L/132/Maximum+Output+Single+Cooker.html

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd255/EBRSOPMODS/50%20CALIBERFORUM/CAMPCHEFBURNER.jpg

They have them at Sports Authority $74.99

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=848738

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/sm-camp-chef-sportsman-series-maximum-output-single-burner-cooker--pi-848738.html



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[GLL]

Gotcha! Further reading netted mee the one I have pictured only has one side the cooks at the higher BTU's.


Here is the one you suggest I should get.


http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd255/EBRSOPMODS/50%20CALIBERFORUM/CAMPCHEFBURNER.jpg

Duke:

That is the one ! Higher BTUs plus very stable grate and support when used with the short legs only !

Jerry

[Just Duke]

Thanks again for all your help guys. :-D


:castmine: real soon!

[Just Duke]

35,00 btu is OK,but I have much better luck with my single burner 70,000 btu model. I got it at the sporting goods store. I can melt 200 lbs at a time with my pot. Those cast iron pots look too shallow to me. Just go find a big steel soup pot.

Where would one find a big steel soup pot sir?


I have 2 of these NIB in with all my horse pcking gear.

https://secure.lodgemfg.com/storefront/storeimages/%7B12D86397-608C-47F2-B89B-A8AECB1191EA%7D_deep_oven_lg.jpg

https://secure.lodgemfg.com/storefront/product1.asp?menu=logic&idProduct=3970

[Just Duke]

Is it ok to leave the lid on while melting the lead? For higher temp quicker.

[hotwheelz]

I leave a lid on mine just leave a little room for smoke to come out.. Dam ww are dirty

[Just Duke]

OOPS! I have two of these 8 qt. also and they are deeper

https://secure.lodgemfg.com/storefront/product1.asp?menu=logic&idProduct=3970

https://secure.lodgemfg.com/storefront/storeimages/%7B12D86397-608C-47F2-B89B-A8AECB1191EA%7D_deep_oven_lg.jpg

They also have a 10 quart.

Thanks for the lid info.

[smokemjoe]

I seen a one burner at wall market with pot to cook birds in, $37.00, Big burner, How do this work. Also on my Goss melter there is no pressure guage, just straight from the tank to the burner, Am I wasting gas. Thanks

[Southern Son]

Duke,
Mate, that fancy setup you getting makes me look cheap. I got an old single gas line ring burner and a peice of 8 or 9 inch pipe that slips over the top of the ring burner. I managed to get a gas regulator that works at a higher pressure than the normal regulators used on BBQs (spitting chips on that front, had to buy the regulator new, everythings else I needed except for the bullet mould I got free or improvised). What I melt the lead in is a little gas bottle I got from the dump. I pulled out the valve, filled it with water, then cut the top off it with a grinder (don't forget to fill the bottle with water before you cut the bottle or the neighbours will hear more than cursing). The old gas bottle is a tight fit into the section of pipe that sits on the ring burner and the whole thing sits on the floor. I use an old ladle to dip and pour the molten lead into a couple of old muffin tins. I only use this setup when I am melting wheel weights or large chuncks of lead, stuff that is too big for the Lee 20 pound pot. If I can work out how to size a picture and then post it I will.

Ron.

[Just Duke]

Duke,
Mate, that fancy setup you getting makes me look cheap. I got an old single gas line ring burner and a peice of 8 or 9 inch pipe that slips over the top of the ring burner. I managed to get a gas regulator that works at a higher pressure than the normal regulators used on BBQs (spitting chips on that front, had to buy the regulator new, everythings else I needed except for the bullet mould I got free or improvised). What I melt the lead in is a little gas bottle I got from the dump. I pulled out the valve, filled it with water, then cut the top off it with a grinder (don't forget to fill the bottle with water before you cut the bottle or the neighbours will hear more than cursing). The old gas bottle is a tight fit into the section of pipe that sits on the ring burner and the whole thing sits on the floor. I use an old ladle to dip and pour the molten lead into a couple of old muffin tins. I only use this setup when I am melting wheel weights or large chuncks of lead, stuff that is too big for the Lee 20 pound pot. If I can work out how to size a picture and then post it I will.

Ron.

That sounds better than my last set up which was a 1950 vintage Coleman stove and a Dutch oven both from different garage sales. Net cost was $20.00. For me now with the cost of factory bullets and rising I am swinging over to anything I can shoot a free cast bullet out of.

[Just Duke]

The wife just ordered me this bad boy today.



http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd255/EBRSOPMODS/50%20CALIBERFORUM/L14DCO3DeepCampOven.jpg

L14DCO3 Deep Camp Oven
10 qt., 14" dia., Depth: 5" $119.95

https://secure.lodgemfg.com/storefront/product1.asp?menu=logic&idProduct=3970




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[fourarmed]

Duke, one thing I have done to raise the heat production of those type burners is to take off the little sheet metal air baffle. Most of those burners will profit from more air.

[Just Duke]

Duke, one thing I have done to raise the heat production of those type burners is to take off the little sheet metal air baffle. Most of those burners will profit from more air.


Copy that FA and thanks.

[pearson1662]

Duke, one thing I have done to raise the heat production of those type burners is to take off the little sheet metal air baffle. Most of those burners will profit from more air.

Is this in contrast to those who say that a burner needs to have a wind shield fashioned from metal flashing?

I'm in about the same stage of gettin' ready to cast as Mr. Nukem and am lookin and thinkin about how I want to line up my ducks.

Jay

[fourarmed]

The baffle I am talking about is the circular piece with the two cutouts whose center the gas hose screws into. The idea of it is that you can rotate it to limit the amount of air mixing with the propane. For my use, I find I always want more air, not less.

[MT Gianni]

The baffle I am talking about is the circular piece with the two cutouts whose center the gas hose screws into. The idea of it is that you can rotate it to limit the amount of air mixing with the propane. For my use, I find I always want more air, not less.

The air shutter should be open for Lp and mid range for natural gas to begin. Adjust your flames with the shutter to a defined tip with out it being too pointed or floating as a candle flame does. You should be able to slightly see a secondary cone inside the outer flame cone if it is really set well. With nat. gas you want absolutly no yellow at the burner tips, with lp you may be stuck with some. [orange is ok, it is generally dust particles in the flame. if it looks like a candle tip add air.] Excess air is 78% nitrogen and carries heat away with it creating inefficiency. Gianni

[Dale53]

Here's a one burner 56,000 BTU;

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=67087&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

Whichever one you get, make VERY sure that it is sturdy enough (the suggestion that if you can stand on it safely, then it should be fine is well taken).

Dale53

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

On the windshield/heatshield thing:

While it's good to get air to the burner, you want to "focus" the flames from the burner upwards and you want a windshield/heatshield around your smelting pot to hold heat in the pot.

I use a turkey cooker and have a flame shield around the flame portion, while leaving a space for air to get to the bottom of the flames and I have a heat shield made of steel I place around my smelting pot (a dutch oven) to keep the heat in. It works very well and helps me to maintain a more stable level of heat, as well as bringing temperatures up much quicker than you'd see with the wind whipping around your flame and pot.

Another thought: While a lot of heat is good to bring the pot up to temperature, you want to remember, especially when you're dealing with wheel weights, that you are very likely these days to see zinc wheel weights and these are not desirable to be melted, so you want to keep your pot temperatures below the melting temperature of zinc and above the melting temperature for lead.

The wind/heatshields help you do this in a major way. You'll see similar heat shields with modern plumber's pots.

Regards,

Dave

[compass will]

Here (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44705) is the dutch oven that I got from harbor freight for under $20.00. 6 QT, 14" across. It will get me started. fits on top of the turkey cooker my brother gave me great. I made a bracket to support the thermometer so I don't end up dropping it into the lead. When I fire it up the first time I will take some pictures.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/44700-44799/44705.gif

[Just Duke]

I saw those. We went with the Lodge Brand for a higher quility cast iron only after the wife read the thread where if you bang the pot to hard while it was hot it is real likely to crack and dump the lead out. We are heading to Home Depot to pick up a sheet metal hot water heater tray to do our smelting in just in case I manage to crack it. Can't be too careful with molten lead you know.
Should give me some running time.

[OBXPilgrim]

you are very likely these days to see zinc wheel weights and these are not desirable to be melted, so you want to keep your pot temperatures below the melting temperature of zinc and above the melting temperature for lead.

+1 what Dave said.

As I started catching back up on the status of this, zinc contamination is the first I had with all those big btu numbers coming up.

I've seen lots more zinc that looks just like lead WW now, & I'm not talking about the zinc stick-ons. I found a few "floaters" that slipped by my sorting, in my little pot on the Coleman stove. From what I've seen from zinc contamination threads on her, I'll stay in the low temp ranges.

[Just Duke]

+1 what Dave said.

As I started catching back up on the status of this, zinc contamination is the first I had with all those big btu numbers coming up.

I've seen lots more zinc that looks just like lead WW now, & I'm not talking about the zinc stick-ons. I found a few "floaters" that slipped by my sorting, in my little pot on the Coleman stove. From what I've seen from zinc contamination threads on her, I'll stay in the low temp ranges.

Me too. I got a lead thermometer coming as we speak from Brownells.

[compass will]

Me too. I got a lead thermometer coming as we speak from Brownells.

Here (http://surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2008031207051399&item=21-1632-AI&catname=) is the one I bought (thanks to someone posting it here). Under $20.00.

http://surpluscenter.com/images/p21-1632-AIC.jpghttp://surpluscenter.com/adphotos/P21-1632-AIX1.jpg

[Just Duke]

Looks like a gas or liquid thermometer by the looks of the fittng. Will it handle submersion in lead and still function. $20.00 is a good price though.

[compass will]

If it ever stops raining on the weekends I will find out!

[Just Duke]

If it ever stops raining on the weekends I will find out!

Did it ever stop raining Compass? :-D

[pearson1662]

Will,
Can we see a picture of your setup? I'm particularly interested in the bracket that you fashioned for your thermometer. I also went the Harbor Freight / Dutch oven route but bought the 4 quart size.

Jay

[JSnover]

http://www.kingkooker.com/detail.php?ID=8

I really like the little workbench attached to this one. If it was a little taller or a little cheaper I think I'd pry my wallet open. 18" high, 54,000 btu.

[Old Ironsights]

I just got the Buffalo Arms 8" Lead Pot in today, and it looks like it will be a winner. Absolutely perfect for the small melts I like to do.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/prodimg/8POT.jpg

Pourable size even... and only $36.20 with shipping.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,3442.html

[Sundogg1911]

GLL. Nice setup! I use a big dutch oven from Harbor Freight. (was a gift) and a turkey fryer. I welded a bit more reinforcement for the added weight. Your setup would at least double my output. I tend to do my smelting while doing something else in the yard, so it's really not slowing me down any. I have to be carefull now though. One dog seems very interested in watching the burner go. Always have to make sure he's indoors then. If I could only get the cats interested in jumping it things would be ok ;-)

[Old Ironsights]

Except for the smell of burnt cat hair and unlimited quantities of tinsel....

[Just Duke]

Here it is

http://www.campchef.com/catalog/item/1/10/0/SH140L/132/Maximum+Output+Single+Cooker.html

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd255/EBRSOPMODS/50%20CALIBERFORUM/CAMPCHEFBURNER.jpg

They have them at Sports Authority $74.99

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=848738

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/sm-camp-chef-sportsman-series-maximum-output-single-burner-cooker--pi-848738.html






.



I came back here to see when I ordered this cooker from Dicks Sporting Goods.
STILL NOT HERE! I am having the manager call me when he gets in!










.

[cohutt]

Little late for me to add this but I have a bayou classic 180000 btu high pressure rig, works well, price is right- $42

http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/sp10_propane_burner.htm

http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/images/bcsp10_propane_burner.jpg

you can get it from amazon.com with free shipping for same price here

http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-SP10-High-Pressure-Outdoor/dp/B000291GBQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1207388967&sr=8-1

[No_1]

This is he one I have. I like this one because it has 4 legs. Same price as COHUTT picked:
http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/sq14_propane_burner.htm

I have used it maybe 6-8 years and the only problem I had was with the regulator hose as I melted mine. The fix was this :
http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/m5hpr1_propane_regulator.htm

Robert

[montana_charlie]

on my Goss melter there is no pressure guage, just straight from the tank to the burner,
As quick as some folks are to jump on 'safety issues', I am surprised nobody has replied to this question.

I have a weed burner (mostly used for heating branding irons) which is a straight shot from the tank to the fire...with a valve to adjust the flame. The unit came this way from the manufacturer, but it still seems like an accident waiting to happen.

I don't plan to modify it, as it heats irons quite well. But, I keep it well away from the branding work area, and only approach it when getting, or returning, the branding iron.

A situation which required me to work close to it, such as a lead melting operation, would lead me to the same question asked by smokemjoe.
CM

[DLCTEX]

I made one from the burner from an old gas water heater I replaced for a customer. I see them all the time at the metal recycle bin at the City Center. I let a friend have it or I would post some pics. I plan some improvements to the next one. The burner produces plenty of BTU's and with my welder it is simple to make using scrap metal. I scavenge hoses and valves from old gas grills from the recycle bin, angle iron from old bed rails, large pipe remnants from pipe line welders and companies. I'm too frugal to pay for what I can concoct from scrap. I hook it to my gas line for the house using an air hose with quick couplings. That way I'm not paying for filling those little bottles that seem to love to run out in the middle of a smelting session. DALE

[cohutt]

This is he one I have. I like this one because it has 4 legs. Same price as COHUTT picked:
http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/sq14_propane_burner.htm

I have used it maybe 6-8 years and the only problem I had was with the regulator hose as I melted mine. The fix was this :
http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/m5hpr1_propane_regulator.htm

Robert

I saw that one when i was looking for the link; it is lower btu but the 55000 is plenty to smelt with (duh or you wouldn't have used it for 8 years!)

The 3 legs hold it ok so far but I do get a litte nervous when I have a lot in the big dutch oven I ususally smelt in- so I brace it underneath with a couple of bricks.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/bermining019.jpg

[Just Duke]

Dicks Sporting Goods called me a on Friday and said the cooker was in. Went there today and nobody had a clue. Hung around 1 hour while they hunted for it. No cooker!
Went home and ordered it from Sports Authority. Online <shiver> eashhhh!!!

[Just Duke]

OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE IT FINALLY CAME!!!

<Bells and Wistles>

You would think I was ordering a space craft or something. lol
Sport Authority came through.