Smelting Lead Ingots From Range Scrap

[@celowski6296]

just happed to stubble across this vid. Thank you.. You answered all my questions.

[@AdventureColorado]

I'm glad it helped, thanks for watching!

[@Farmerjoe1313]

How big is that Dutch oven?

[@stupidsmartmonkey]

Completely underrated video. This is simple and informative.

[@tfouts1967]

How much did the propane to power the fish fryer cost for the entire process. I plan to get into casting, but I wonder how much propane will be burnt throughout this process.

[@AdventureColorado]

WeekendWoodworker I have never actually calculated the amount of propane used. I have gotten several casting sessions and then still been able to throw the tank on the grill for awhile afterwards.

[@tfouts1967]

AdventureColorado Thanks for your reply, I now plan to invest in a propane burner

[@bubbacrabb]

Probably be able to find one used at a thrift shop

[@dido851985]

what it's the red,you put in the hot lead?

[@AdventureColorado]

That is a piece of candle wax. It helps to bring the impurities to the surface so that they can be skimmed off.

[@dido851985]

thank you for answer bro :)

[@TheStoned_Dwarf]

I added a comment above. Wax does not remove any impurities. Wax, along with any source of carbon, simply causes oxides to return to metal form. Wax is very thin, and will only sit on the surface of your lead. You can test this out by putting a small amount of your clean lead in the pan, and heat it up until your lead puddle gains a thick, colorful skin on the surface (you can literally just basically leave it there and it’ll oxidize to powder if you let it sit long enough). Throw some carbon on it while under heat, and watch it form back to lead metal. I do it all day every day for work lol

[@TheStoned_Dwarf]

So, the wax doesn’t remove any impurities. Wax is actually the worst thing you can use for your “flux” (not really a flux). Wax is a hydrocarbon, incredibly dangerous to inhale. The purpose of the “flux” is to prevent your lead from oxidizing. Carbon reduces oxides to metal. That “skin” on top is your lead oxide. It will turn rainbow colored, then red or yellow. Use wood or any other carbon source. Safer, and works far better. On a side note, you can’t really “purify” the lead by simply smelting. Scraping the bottom and the sides is all you need to do to get the dirt/rock out. To actually purify it, you need to remove the antimony, which takes a fairly difficult process to do. If you ever see a “thick” skin on the surface of your lead, that is zinc contamination. It can simply be scooped off the top. Zinc and lead will not alloy together (which is useful for other PM extraction processes, but not so for range scrap)

[@2manyhobeez300]

Do you cast with a ladle or that spoon?

[@AdventureColorado]

+2ManyHobEEZ I started out using a spoon, but have since switched to a Lyman "Lead Dipper." Eventually I would like to upgrade to a bottom pour spout, but I don't cast enough to justify that right now.

[@Honk_Clank]

Favorited :)