Cutting large lead chunks down

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  • Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    I’m looking to cut these large lead pieces down so I can melt them down in my Lee Big Dipper

    Suggestions?
    33ec16d7167b8fabe2a85f6e3664760d.jpg

    36ad575030336516b78ea311ede0a732.jpg



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    Art3

    Eqinsu Ocha
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 30, 2015
    13,267
    Harford County
    Hammer and chisel

    This! No messy toxic dust. Use a fairly wide chisel. Wiggle it out every few hits so it doesn't get stuck. Don't go all the way through (because you could damage your chisel or whatever surface is under it), but after you get 3/4 or so, you can just break it the rest of the way.
     

    inkd

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 4, 2009
    7,512
    Ridge
    It's a shame you cant melt it down into smaller ingots. I would probably go the hammer and chisel route too. That lead dust slinging around wouldn't be good at all!!!
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Hammer and chisel hurts at the shoulders. A 7 tooth carbide saw works but throws shit all over. My best way of shrinking lead is to melt it with a torch outside. I let it flow into a steel pan and fold it up to fit in my Lee furnace.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    Big cast iron pot. Gas or electric burner, go for it.

    I had a lot of scrap linotype that was too large for my pot.

    Used a 1 burner electric hot plate and a cast iron skillet.

    Trick is, put some small stuff (culled bullets) in to start and melt quickly. Once you get some melt in the pot, the new bits melt faster due to better heat transfer.
     

    byf43

    SCSC Life/NRA Patron Life
    I used to cut leads, quads (spacers) and Linotype on the "Slug Saw" in the Print Shop I worked at, in La Plata.

    http://www.briarpress.org/30579

    It was nothing but a compact table saw with an aggressive kerf saw blade.

    To quickly cut those chunks of lead, I'd use a Sawzall with a metal cutting blade, outdoors.
    (Cut over a tarp or plastic tub, to retrieve the 'saw dust' (lead particles) so that you don't contaminate the lawn.



    Just my humble 2 cents.
     

    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    Well, I want to do it with tools I already have, I tried the propane burner on the grille and it was just not hot enough, the propane torch also did not melt it after a few minutes. That circle chunk is 2” thick. Chisel was working but will take some time. Going to borrow the big Maillot from work.




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    Blacksmith101

    Grumpy Old Man
    Jun 22, 2012
    22,156
    Go to Good Will buy a cheap cast iron dutch oven or frying pan and a steel muffin tin, pick up a bag of charcoal, build a charcoal fire in the back yard. After it is going well put the cast iron pot with lead on top and use the exhaust blower from a vacuum cleaner to add an air blast to the fire..... it will get hot enough. When the lead melts pour into muffin tins to make ingots.

    Be sure to wear proper protective clothing including goggles or face shield. If you get a visit by the tinsel fairy you will need it.

    Here are some references that may help:
    Some good introductory discussions.

    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=6774

    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=6520

    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=6203

    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=6108

    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=6059

    There are more threads here:

    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?57-Lead-and-Lead-Alloys
     

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