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I've got all the materials needed to start casting. Jig mold, melting pot, hooks, and lead. The only lead I was able to get is from the mechanic I use. He gave me a bucket of lead weights that they use to balance tires. Can I melt those weights with the little clip on them, or do I need to take that clip off before I melt them. I'm not sure what the clip is made of (maybe steel). Any help would be great. First time casting jig heads!
yes you can melt them with the clip on . the lead will melt and you can scoop the clip out with a spoon. I would however suggest melting the weights and cleaning it up in a different pot then the one you will be casting with. The weights may have salt and other foriegn material that you dont want in you good pot. I use bees wax to clean mine with but you can use any candle wax. be careful when adding the wax it will flare up but thats what you want if it just smokes try lighting the smoke on fire with a wooden match and stir it then scrape junk off top. after that pour into a ingot mold or old muffin tin to make cleaner bars for your good pot. hope this helps any questions hollar.
JJ
You melt them as they are once the lead melts scoop them out with a slotted spoon and put in a metal coffee can or bucket, they are hot so be careful. Once they are out of the way you need to clean the lead before you can really use it, for it is still really some dirty lead, road dirt, salt, and other chemicals are still all mixed in it. Make sure you due it outside for it can get pretty smokey depending on what is all mixed in the lead. Wash you hands often
FLUX FLUX FLUX.....remember to FLUX it
Make sure that you scrape the bottom often with a spoon to try to get all the sand out.
I don't cast but I'm told to mix the wheel weight stuff with soft lead. Some of the more experienced hands can tell you better than I.
Some good advice already here.
It depends on what kind of melter you have, if you're starting out with the little Hot Pot 2 you may have problems getting wheel weight lead hot enough to get a good poor in your jig mold.
I suggest starting out with pure lead, it's the easiest to work with.
If you get serious about pouring jigs I highly recommend the Lee Production Pot 4. it has a temperature control and will make it easier to pour with hard lead alloys.
If you need a good source for lead, these folks are great to deal with.
Casting Bullet Alloys from Rotometals
I've decided to hold off on using the lead from the mechanic. I don't have a clue what I'm doing and I really appreciate the help that you guys offered, but your speaking a different language when you start talking about flux. I didn't think this thing through. I thought it would be easy and fun. I like doing things myself, and I take pride in knowing that I made something with my hands. I think I'll watch someone pour some before I start trying to do this on my own. I've bought Lee Melting Pot. That is the name on the box. (for the person who asked what type of melting pot I have) and some DO-IT molds.Quote:
Originally Posted by bebo33
Fluxing is easy Bebo.
After you lead melts in the pot drop a piece of candle wax about the size of a 1/4 oz. jig head in the hot lead (carefully). Then gently stir your lead with some sort of spoon with and insulated handle, I use a wooden handled garden trowel. Scrape the sides and the bottom of your pot while stirring... all the impurities in your lead will float to the top to be skimmed off with your spoon or trowel. Now you're ready to pour your lead in the mold! Flux (wax) your lead every time you add new lead to the pot.
Be sure to pour your mold without hooks 4 times to warm it up. If you have any problems just give us a holler.
also you can lay you mold on the pot while it warms also....i do it and it gets hot to..be careful
bebo,Everyone here has been where you are right now,at some time or another.But most of us had to figure it out ourselves,mostly trial and error.Your getting about 15 years of experiance under your belt right here,and you have'nt even turned your pot on yet.Cleaning wheel weight lead takes a few extra steps,but when you are done,the first time you will know what to do next time,and it will be a breeze.Have at it.
azslabber