Separating Zinc from Lead

[jskellington]

Since they started mixing lead and zinc together to make wheel weights, I heat a full pot to approximate 600 degrees and skimmed off all the zinc/other junk. Do eyeball the obvious zinc and discard prior to filling large pot. Then I made 5 pound lead blocks for the bullet caster pot. Would loose a little lead, but not much.

Question--Does this method absolve me from incurring any zinc damage to large melting pot. I have seen no damage to pistol barrells. Can i damage the large pot?

jim

[lightman]

I would not think the zinc would damage you pot or your barrels. Guys that don't sort wheel weights run some risk of a zinc weight getting trapped in the bottom of the pot and getting hot enough to melt.