Keeping Tin In Range Lead

[Muser]

Wow, everyone great advice, and pics makes this an invaluable thread for smelting; at least to me.

To be safe, after reading about moisture in this thread, I held off adding some scrap that had sand in it because it still retained moisture. I'll take care of that before smelting it. That could have been disastrous.

I'll re-read through this thread several times and find a way to get to it easily for reference. For new guys like myself, this is seriously helpful information.

Things like: fluxing before scooping out the boolit cases; maximum melt point (750*) aim for 700* to prevent alloy vaporization(didn't have any idea there can be a loss of lead from it); avoiding adding moisture to a molten mix.

Conditor, this surprised me when you said, "Harder alloyed metals will melt at lower temperatures than pure lead." And thanks for your pics, they gave me a couple ideas, like your wisk.

Is this thread worthy of being stickied?

[Burnt Fingers]

Wow, everyone great advice, and pics makes this an invaluable thread for smelting; at least to me.

To be safe, after reading about moisture in this thread, I held off adding some scrap that had sand in it because it still retained moisture. I'll take care of that before smelting it. That could have been disastrous.

I'll re-read through this thread several times and find a way to get to it easily for reference. For new guys like myself, this is seriously helpful information.

Things like: fluxing before scooping out the boolit cases; maximum melt point (750*) aim for 700* to prevent alloy vaporization(didn't have any idea there can be a loss of lead from it); avoiding adding moisture to a molten mix.

Conditor, this surprised me when you said, "Harder alloyed metals will melt at lower temperatures than pure lead." And thanks for your pics, they gave me a couple ideas, like your wisk.

Is this thread worthy of being stickied?

You're not going to lose lead to vaporization unless you get it well over 1,000°.

[Muser]

Thank-you for this.
I've been concerned about losing lead from the pot in this way.
Having just bought a 220,000 BTU burner and being totally new at this, I just didn't know.
For my first day of melting scrap I don't know what temps I hit, but I will after Sunday when my Tel-Tru 200* - 1,000*F thermometer arrives.
Based on the wisdom here I plan to keep my melt running between 700-750*F.

Thanks again Burnt Fingers.

[Sasquatch-1]

This is not Gospel, but the golden color usually indicates a harder alloy, bluish will indicate a softer and closer to pure lead.

after removing the bullet casings and dross, the surface of the melted alloy is golden.
Does this indicate a need to change the heat +/- to the pot?