Tools for the job

[The Great Wallsendo]

Am looking to accumulate me the neccessary for making my own leads

What are the necessary tools?

Obviously a heat source - that bit's easy...what about melting pot and pouring device - are there specific things I should be looking for?

Cheers in advance

 

[northeast1]

Wallsendo i can give you a melting pot, heat proof gloves upto +60c and some stainless 1.2 and 1.6mm wire for starters.

I use a cheap work bench to clamp the moulds and i also use a croc clip that you see people using on stalls to hold the cover on.

Also just get a large serving spoon and fit a wooden file handle if you cant get one with a wood one on.

Apart from that your set. Just made 120 10oz leads this week...about 8 trips worth lol

 

[thewestwind]

A good lead pot is essential. You can buy them specifically for the purpose but they're not cheap. BUT if you can get hold of a good old Cast Iron saucepan it will do perfectly, size obviously dependent on the amount of lead. Do not attempt to use a cheap aluminium pan it's a recipe for disaster.
You'll need a decent ladle for pouring into the lead mould.
Some form of clamping for the mould.
A good strong pair of heavy duty gloves, Welders Gauntlets are perfect.
Eye protection is a must so safety goggles of some description.

Pre heat your mould before use and make absolutely certain there's no dampness at all in any of the lead you add to the pot, water and hot lead is a frightening prospect.

Work carefully and safely and you'll be fine.

 

[northeast1]

So agree, never jumpped so far as to when i left my pirk mould out one night and used it in the morning after it got damp...was like little bombs going off and lead sputtering out all over.


I have both cast iron and Ali pans spare.

 

[KeithB]

Propane bottle & gas ring

Regulator, not the 37mbar ones used for camping stoves

I use a cast iron pan, think they are called creuset or summit, £2 from car boot sale, binned the wooden handle and got a steel one made.

Good ladle, got mine from a plumbing site, I'll find a linky when I'm not full of wine.

Metal spoon to remove the crap that floats to the top.

Warm both ladle & spoon before you dunk them in a pan full of molten lead.

I used to use snips to cut the lead in to pan size pieces but it takes too long so now use a blow torch now to melt the bigger bits over the pan.

As many moulds as you can get, DCA if possible the rest are crap.
If you are making large quantities the moulds get too hot unless you have a few on the go, I melt about 20lb of lead at time so if you use one or two moulds they are too hot to handle after you've poured it.

Clamps for your moulds, draper do a pack of two quite cheap.

Draper 25mm Capacity Spring Clamp : Tooled-Up.com

I built a hearth out of fire bricks so all the heat is contained.

Roll of stainless 1.2mm welding wire for loops fits most moulds, I'm too tight to buy loops

and most important, some good gloves and a full face mask.

All the usual tips, never add more lead to a hot molten pan full, especially pipe with a sealed end in fact unless it's free never use pipe

or..... you could just ring the lad that sells 12oz leads for 37p each, doubt you can buy lead, gas, etc for that price but for me making my own gear is part of the enjoyment.

Good Luck!

 

[big_sean]

Dont use a clamp get a small hindge and hindge the mould and fit a pair of handles as well use some threaded bar and drill the mould and tap the thread in

you will never get a burnt hand and can keep going i have some pics of some done if someone can post piccies i will post them


Sean

 

[mark]

stainless steel teapot -wilkinson couple of quid

have made thousands of leads, pirks and spinners with mine, still going strong, nice spout for pouring too

 

[KeithB]

Great idea Mark, but I think I'd end up melting that

 

[KeithB]

Dont use a clamp get a small hindge and hindge the mould and fit a pair of handles as well use some threaded bar and drill the mould and tap the thread in

you will never get a burnt hand and can keep going i have some pics of some done if someone can post piccies i will post them


Sean

Must admit, I've got a Do-it cannon ball mould it's a doddle to use.

Sorry for the multiple replies, lead melting excites me, I just go fishing as an excuse.

 

[pottsy]

lead melting excites me, I just go fishing as an excuse.

Keith you amaze me

 

[mark]

guaranteed unmeltable. christ knows I've tried, and the little strainer inside the spout holds all the crud back

if you're too tight to buy loops, I'm too tight to buy stainless welding wire...

brass welding/brazing rods, cheap as chips on ebay, 2 nails in a bit of wood makes a bending jig so you get perfect loops every time

relatively posh compared to the galvanised fencing wire I used to use

nick the clamps off the next market stall you pass

 

[northeast1]

It excites me melting lead also, right upto the point that i get lost in the whole process and end up taken off my glove for something then not putting it back on as i pick up the mould.....happens everytime lol

Anyway if you cant get the gear or wnat any of the above offered i will just leave it on Normans boat for you.

 

[SIXFOOTSTEVE]

Well there you go Tony that's you sorted .......

And if I supply the goggles then that's US sorted .........................isn't it ????

 

[The Great Wallsendo]

Richy that's a very kind offer mate - cheers...I'll take you up on that spare melting pot...and obviously if you want a few quid as well that goes without saying

Steve...was already thinking with your ability to source the lead at reasonable prices ...and goggles are very handy too

 

[The Great Wallsendo]

...lead melting excites me...

must be the fumes in your shed mate

 

[northeast1]

No probs just the pot or anything else you want...cast iron one or Ali?

 

[The Great Wallsendo]

a cast iron one would be great - thanks

 

[northeast1]

Ok i drop it off on Normans Boat next time i am down the mariner and that will be Friday or Sat next week.

 

[The Great Wallsendo]

marvellous cheers again...like I said I'm looking to accumulate as opposed to buy all the gear in one hit as I'm often prone to doing :red:

lead ladles can be bought for about £6+

lead ladle - Google Product Search

Clamps as per Keiths link and a work bench is cheap as chips too - gonna keep my eyes out for seconds where I can

Cheers for all advice and info - last time I melted lead was about 20 years ago and it was a piece of pipe we found in the back alleys of Cullercoats...first lesson learnt

 

[The Great Wallsendo]

is there a marked difference in butane and propane IE is one preferred over the other?...I can get a freebie red canister off me step dad is all...