cleaning lead

[duckndawg]

Ok guys I'm at my wits end. I have been melting lead pipe to make shot. For flux I've used crayons, parrafin wax, wood chips soaked with transmission oil. Now when I cast boolits with it there is no issue, but when I make shot the drippers plug up. I was able to make 150 pounds of shot before the gremlins showed up. I use a Littleton shotmaker, so the question is what do I need to do different? This is an ongoing issue with me and this shot maker.
Dawg

[green mountain boy]

FLUX FLUX FLUX, and try and keep the lead level as high as possible so anything on top tends to stay there. this worked for a friend of mine.

[shootinfox2]

Try fluxing with sulfur. See the many threads here. A very small amount of zinc will clog the drippers.
Remove the drippers and heat them to red color, tap on the bench to clear any residue in the holes. Reinstall. Eventually, you may have to use a wire/ drill to clean out the small drip holes.

Clean alloy is the key.

Fox

[heebs]

Your lead is too pure. You need to add some Linotype (or other harder lead) to it to make it flow better. You get your best shot from COWW. I know hard to get. I use the lead alloy calculator and shoot for 96% lead, 3% antimony and 1% tin. If you want your shot to be round, you HAVE to have arsenic in the mix. Arsenic is what makes the pellets round. Has to do with molecular bonding. Thats why it is in commercial shot. Make sure your metal is clean. I flux with sawdust or shavings, then again with paraffin wax or beeswax. Good luck. What size shot are you making?

[jsizemore]

Check the melt temps for pure lead and then lead alloys. You'll notice that lead alloys melt at a lower temp than pure Pb. Littletons cast better with alloys. If your outside temp is low, and casting with Pb, your gonna have some issues if the melt level gets low. Adding some Sb/Sn will help lower the melt's flow temp also casting on a warmer day.

[JWFilips]

How To really clean lead:
http://www.jimfilipski.com/forumphotos/DukeInMaine-Fluxing.pdf