Thought i'd add a little WW smelting/trouble saving tip in here.
When melting WW's into ingots, my least favorite part of the job was always skimming the steel clips.
A few months ago, while doing a batch of WW's, I thought of using this old fryer basket:
Basically you add WW's as they melt down, then when the pot starts to get full (my pot is around 100-120lbs) you pull the basket out and the clips, zinkers, and junk go out with the basket and you're ready to flux!
Just wanted to share.Cheers.
Matt
Very good idea! I like that.
ARMY Viet-Nam 70-71
Oh how slick is that! That there's thinking by George, good show.
Cat
Cogito, ergo armatum sum.
(I think, therefore I'm armed.)
I use an old basket out of the 1 gallon can of carburetor cleaner.
If grasshoppers carried .45's the birds wouldnt mess with them.
That's a good idea!
That's the beauty of this forum. Someone is always thinking.
Qajaq59
One slow hit is better then 500 quick misses. "It ain't the noise that kills 'em!!!!"
If you throw in some candle wax prior to pulling the bsket out you'll leave more of the molten led in the pot and have less lead clinging to the clips, etc.
EW
I learn something new everytime I log on here!
If you add a cup of diesel oil to the whole mess and light it just before you light the burner, it cuts your smelting time by half, saves propane, melts all the klingon dross from the clips, creates lots of soot to help flux the oxides, burns off the paint, cigarette butts and dog pee, and creates a low-oxygen enviroment in the pot which preserves the base metal. When the diesel burns out the fluxing is done for you and you're ready to pull the basket.
Gear
+1 geargnasher.
If you do not use flux before raising the strainer you will be tossing a lot of stuck-on and oxidized lead.
The fluxing during the end of the smelt releases the goody from the junk before you toss it.
Melting Stuff is FUN!Sent from my PC with a keyboard and camera on it with internet too.
Shooting stuff is even funner
L W Knight
+2. Flux before removing the clips. Flame fluxing right as the ww's melt fluxes the lead at the temp where it's impurities/crud/etc are least soluble, and most easily removed. Does save appreciably on melt time and fuel, too. Good luck.
A great idea! I used to pick the clips out so I could tap 'em on the side,
the basket and flux method looks like a winner.
PS: I noticed a rubber valve stem in there, pew!
PS: I noticed a rubber valve stem in there, pew!
Nah, that burning rubber smell gives your smelting session ambience.
I'm sure that I've wasted a few lbs of lead as the result of clingons. I think I'll try the flames in the basket technique.
I tryed that a while back, had a problem keeping the strainer hot enough. I'am using a Coleman stove for my heat, I may have to step up to a turkey fryer and try it again.
The valve stem aint nothin. Wait till ya get some chaws in the melt.
Melting Stuff is FUN!Sent from my PC with a keyboard and camera on it with internet too.
Shooting stuff is even funner
L W Knight
I sorted more WWs tonight, glad I did, found chewing gum, plastic tire labels, a broken ½" socket extension,
paper towels, busted flat washers, lots of valve stems & caps, lots of dirt clods...
At that tire shop the WWs are cheap at $5/box (maybe 50lbs), but the boxes are already taped up.
They load 'em in the truck for me, that's a plus.
I have a wire fry basket I've been using to separate walnut shell from brass,
I suppose it could be used like Ole's basket, will give it a try.
Boy, you guys know messy mechanics. I never get anything but the ww in my buckets. LOL
Qajaq59
One slow hit is better then 500 quick misses. "It ain't the noise that kills 'em!!!!"
Hey, beggars can't be too choosey!Originally Posted by qajaq59
Gear
Ayup, and if my buckets were full of junk I'd take them too!!!!!Hey, beggars can't be too choosey!
Qajaq59
One slow hit is better then 500 quick misses. "It ain't the noise that kills 'em!!!!"
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