Hi Guys/gals;
Well I've accumulated all the equipment I think I need to start melting lead. To start, I plan to just practice with 1/2lb and 1lb ingots to get the feel and safety aspects down. Ultimately, I hope to be casting .562/.570 round balls for my Fowler and .476 bullets for my Turnbull.
I have a 20lb electric melting pot (ladle not bottom spout), ladles -lee lyman rcbs and Roto's, Lead thermometer, lee and lyman ingot molds, and a lead tester for equipment. (yes, I know I went overboard on the beginners equipment, but this is as much a hobby as an economical endeavor)
I have a full face shield (plastic flip down type) and leather gloves and full length clothing.
I have over 200lbs of assorted lead. Unlubed mini, maxi and round balls. 1oz sinkers, and larger sinkers. I have 1, 2 and 5lb divers weights. I also have a lot of .357 lubed bullets I think another thread said to boil off lube first, wont use these now.
My prospective melting place is a 300lb very sturdy old wood workbench right in front of a window and I have small and large fans. I have an old baking sheet and towel to drop the lead on.
So, here goes my questions.
1. Which lead to start practicing with? Good hopefully pure lead like the round balls or scrap like the sinkers of unknown composition? I am concerned about contaminating the pot, whats left in the bottom when done.
2. Do I clean the molds? They are brand new in box.
3. Do I try to heat the molds? the pot is a lee magnum melter and doesn't' seem to have much of a "shelf" to heat them on.
4. Should I try to use 15-20 lbs of lead or start with less?
5. Should I add it all at once or 1/4, 1/2 at a time?
6. Where do I "hit" the mold to drop the ingot out?
7. Finally, MY Big questions is about whats left in the pot at the end. I assume (there's that word!) the ladle will not get all the lead out of the pot. Do I just leave it in there to cool? Will that damage the pot? Do I somehow remove it and how? Will leaving the last bit contaminate the next melting if the lead is of a different hardness/composition?
Any advice you can give a beginner from an ease and safety point of view on how to start and finish would be greatly appreciated.
Mountain Meadow (muzzleloaders)