Did you know that.....

[BCRider]

.... molten lead is corrosive to copper?

About 8 years ago I made the side pour ladle shown in the pics below from a 1" copper end cap and a piece of steel flat stock for the handle. A few hours ago I was happily casting some dead soft round ball for my cap and ball pistols for an upcoming cowboy action match. And I noticed that the level in the cup was dropping faster than it used to do.... Like it was pouring without me even tipping the ladle.

I knocked it clean and looked it over only to see the holes you see in the second pic showing light through at me.

I suppose 8 years and probably 3000 round ball isn't a bad life span for this quickly home made ladle.... :D

[rancher1913]

more likely zinc in the mix, if lead was corrosive to copper they would not have used it for plumbing for umpteen years before switching to tin for health reasons

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I don't think corrosive is the correct word.
Molten Pb "absorbs" Cu

[Winger Ed.]

This is exactly the reason why you need to get yourself a new electric pot and cast Iron ladle.

[1hole]

I don't think corrosive is the correct word.
Molten Pb "absorbs" Cu

There's the answer. Molten lead literally dissolves exposed copper and they become a surface alloy. That's how/why solder (tin + lead) is used to make electrical joints, why copper (and brass) pipe connections are soldered and it's why the copper tips of soldering irons dissolve away.

[super6]

Humm..A sacrificial ladle, Should add some hardness to the melt!

[BCRider]

I hope not!

It lasted 8 years and a few thousand round ball and .38-55 boolits and I just bought another one for $3..... Geez copper stuff has gotten pricey.

A cast ladle would be nice. But it'll be a Lyman with the side pour spout that fends off the junk floating on top. I think I'll order one up through my favorite local purveyor....

In the meantime there's balls to be cast! So I give you Ladle 2 - The Pheonix Ladle! Old handle, new cup. With the slick and great working side pour spout drilled then formed in on the upper area and out a little on the chin of the spout to make a nice no drip spout lip. And a cut down 2 1/4 common bright nail (no zinc wanted for me) as a rivet.