Casting Lead Ingots

[357mag357]

How much are most people casting into 1 pound ingots during a casting session? I did about 8 pounds of used wheel weights and my back and legs are killing me. I am using a propane burner from a turkey fryer which is on the ground. Instead of me picking up the large cast iron pot with hot lead in it can I use a laddle to pour it into my ingot molds? Eventhough I have a few aches and pains this is almost as fun as reloading and shooting. Thanks for any advice.

 

[ohman11]

I did 70 ingots the first time, I was not working on the ground though.

 

[Ditchtiger]

My ingot mold is an aluminum baseball bat that has been cut in half length-wise. After the large ingot cools I hit the rounded side with a hatchet to make a single cut every 3 inches to make a weak spot. Set the ingot on a step or anything to get the end of the ingot unsupported. Have the notches facing up and strike the segments off with a hammer.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

First, I suggest you get your pot and fryer up off the ground. If the original turkey fryer frame isn't strong enough, I suggest you have it reinfoced so you can get it to a reasonable working height.

Second, go to your local dollar store and buy a package of the stainless steel spoons and soup ladle. You can use these to stir your melt, scoop out clips and use the soup ladle to dip lead into your molds.

This should solve your back issues.

Regards,

Dave

 

[RustyFN]

My last smelt was three buckets, I'm going to guess around 300 pounds.
Rusty

 

[scrat]

Yep like others mentioned. You need to get more comfortable. Re set you equipment up. My back never hurts. If anything my arms get sore from pouring and pouring.

 

[Griz44]

I cast into 1 pound ingots cause that fits my Lee pot really nice. I did 66 pounds last night in about 1.5 hours. I use a stainless gravy ladle to dip and a Lee ladle to stir and flux. (Just about all it is good for actually) I have a back door in my loading room, so I set my burner and pot next to the door.
Melt - Flux - dip - knock them out - repeat til I run out of material! Goes pretty fast that way.

 

[glicerin]

I melt 400lb of ww about once a year, takes about 5 hours(I'm 65 years old). I use a propane turkey fryer, outdoors, under a roof(no rain please). Use a wide mouth pot, ingot moulds are on a table at waist level. A ladle(4lb), with a long 30" handle is easy on back and cooler for hands. AVOID the dust from clips and dirt, stay upwind. Use boots with pants out, heavy clothing and hat, even in hot weather. If you hear bubbling, immediately rotate face away from pot. One wet ww can cause a steam explosion. Have fun.

 

[SSN Vet]

How much are most people casting into 1 pound ingots during a casting session? I did about 8 pounds of used wheel weights and my back and legs are killing me

I can relate.....

Sqatting down over a cast iron skillet on a single burner Coleman backpacker's stove in my gravel driveway, I poured about 12 lbs. during my first smelt, picking the clips out one at a time with needle nose pliars.....

Oh well, I got's me my ingots, and have yet to use it all up.

 

[Bula]

Are you using your casting ladle? If so, get yourself a large stainless ladle ast mentioned above. I can pour 2 or 3 'mini muffin' ingots per ladle. That makes short work of a 100 lb pot. Also, I keep lots of ingot mold handy, while some are setting, the others are getting filled or getting emptied of their ingots. I had great luck finding ladles, a big restaurant sized strainer basket spoon (like for scooping fried food out of oil) and such at my local goodwill, cost was next to nothing, and I get to stay married by not using anything from my wifes kitchen! good luck and pour carefully!

 

[357mag357]

Rusty,
Thats alot of ingots. I have to get a better setup. Thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[dmftoy1]

I cast 4 lb'ers until the pot gets low and then pour 2 lb muffins and 1 lb corn bread molds for the rest of it. I'm tired after 100lbs (5 gallon bucket) but I wouldn't say I'm sore. A big (4lb ) ladle helps alot. I found a used one on Ebay for $10.

 

[RustyFN]

Rusty,
Thats alot of ingots. I have to get a better setup. Thanks everyone for the advice.

I'm not saying this is the best way to go but this is my setup and it works good for me. I bought a Bayou Classic burner off the internet for $45. It's 186,000 BTU and will melt some lead quick. The pot is a six quart cast iron dutch oven with lid from Harbor Freight that cost $12.

I use wax to flux. I bought the 20" slotted spoon to scoop out the clips and the 24" solid spoon to clean off the top. The spoons were $3 each at the restraunt supply store in town.

I made the ingot molds out of 3" channel and my wife bought me some cast iron muffin pans.

Then I bought a Rowell #3 ladle to pour the ingots with, it will hold 4 pounds of lead. It's also a good idea to get a thermometer to keep track of your smelting temp.

Hope this helps.
Rusty