ARGGGGH!News flash to self...

[madcaster]

A hotplate is not the best for lead casting!Even one at 1000 watts.:(

[copdills]

are you trying to melt lead or just get your mold to temp

[Ron1962]

I'm new to all of this will a hotplate really work and how long will it take to melt lets say a 1lb. of lead

[Bret4207]

It depends on the hotplate! The run of the mill hot plate may not work, but if you find one, maybe an older one, it's a different story. I have an $8.00 Walmart hotplate of 1100 watts (IIRC) that will melt 30-40 lbs of lead in under 20 minutes. I use a 6"x5" measuring cup (12 cups I think) of stainless steel for a pot and have complete satisfaction with the set up. I've also used a standard 10lb Lyman cast pot with it.

Now OTH I have a $20.00+ double hot plate from Walmart that won't melt ice, much less lead. That was a learning experience. I suggest you find the highest wattage hotplate you can. Another alternative is to use the element from an electric stove, and the control too. Some place here there is a photo essay of a guy who did just that using a large coffee can for a base IIRC.

[Bret4207]

I'm new to all of this will a hotplate really work and how long will it take to melt lets say a 1lb. of lead

Yes, 5-8 minutes depending on the hot plate and pot. Generally we aim for a pot holding at least 10 lbs of alloy, 20 or 30 is better as it holds temp more evenly. Even an old steel cooking pot will work fine.

[jack19512]

I'm new to all of this will a hotplate really work and how long will it take to melt lets say a 1lb. of lead






Most definitely will work. This setup is all I have ever used to smelt my lead. I did have to bypass the temp control though, I'm not recommending anyone do this, just saying it's what I did. Always leave a little lead in the pot as in the pic when done, it will speed up the next melt. Both burner and pot purchased at my local Walmart.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a63/jack19512/DCP01460.jpg

[VintageRifle]

I was using a 1100 watt hotplate from Meijer. It works ok in the warmer months, but cannot melt pure lead or WW when the temperature outside drops and brings my porch temperatures below 40°F.

[montana_charlie]

A hotplate is not the best for lead casting!Even one at 1000 watts.:(
I used nothing but a hotplate for several years...in an earlier casting life.
The hotplates sold today may have 'safety features' built in that keep the device from working at the top of it's temperature range...but a thousand watt element will certainly melt lead.

Evaluate the 'heat control' to see if it can be 'adjusted' to operate at a higher temperature...without bypassing it completely. Otherwise, you can never leave it unattended...even for a few minutes...once the pot is hot.

CM

[mikenbarb]

Just solder the wires for the rhoestat and let it run wide open cherry hot. Just do it outside where you arent gonna burn anything down.LOL.

[jack19512]

Just solder the wires for the rhoestat and let it run wide open cherry hot. Just do it outside where you arent gonna burn anything down.LOL.







It's not like the burner is going to overheat with a pot full of lead sitting on it. Also no grease or cooking oil to get too hot and ignite. I use a small pot with my burner and I have never seen the coils get red. But like Mike said, it's simple, just do this in an area where there's no fire hazard.

[Beekeeper]

Brett,
Do you know what the model No. on your Wallyworld hotplate is?
Need one for heating moulds and that sounds like a super buy.

survivalists Dad

[GLOCKENNBOOMER]

tagged

[moptop]

You mean like this?
Very simple to make.



http://beta-api.joggle.com/media/?media_id=377124F2E57C4CD08BBF0C1CFBBF651B&sitename=moptop