smelters questions

[potenza]

does anyone have any suggestions for a beginner melting down wheel weights into ingots for casting bullets or does anyone know shops that will give away wheel weights for free?

interstate battery buys all the lead, it is considered hazardous waste. They pay about $75 for 75 lbs

 

[Going Postal]

how do you flux?

Every time one of my Grandkids has a birthday, I will collect the used birthday candles. When I am smelting some lead, I will drop one into each potful of lead. It brings the trash to the top so it can be skimmed off. I have heard of people using sawdust but I have never used that!

 

[pistolpat]

yeah im using teacup candles now and it seems to be working ok

 

[jglenn]

I've used candles for years to flux my mixture.. simply dip in the mix and stir it a bit slowly then skim the dross off the top

anytime you add material always flux again

 

[darrenmd]

If you have never smelted any lead before, let me give you one little piece of advice. When you have a pot of molten lead in front of you - do not, and I repeat DO NOT, look down into it if you are sweating!! I have this scar over my left eye that got there because no one ever told me that and I didn't have enough sense to figure it out for myself. Molten lead will explode if a drop of water (or sweat) hits it!!!!!!!!!

Great tip.... it always is those little things that get you.... Thanks

 

[45cal]

Try looking at some u tube vids,I am a smelter and caster myself and I have picked up some good additional tips there.