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+---- Thread: Big piece of lead! (/thread-3235.html)
Big piece of lead! - Distant Thunder - 04-06-2022
I happened into a pretty big chunk of lead, it is approximately 8.250" x 8.250" by 25".
I was wondering how much it weighs? It's too heavy to lift that's for sure.
I would also like to hear any ideas on how I can reduce this block of lead into pieces that will fit in my lead pot.
I had some bars of lead once that weighed about 50 pounds each and were about 24 inches long. Those I was able to chop into smaller piece with just an axe, this is a bit big for that to work as well.
Thank you for any help.
RE: Big piece of lead! - Kurt - 04-06-2022
Saw sawl with a wood blade will do it. Just put cardboard under it to save the chips.
Sounds like you have a counter weight off a crane.
RE: Big piece of lead! - Distant Thunder - 04-06-2022
Yep, it's a counterweight. According to my miscalculations it weighs about 700 lbs.! Dang that stuff is heavy!
That will make 9,400 bullets! I better get to shooting. Wait, where am I going to get 9,400 primers! Dang again!
RE: Big piece of lead! - Don McDowell - 04-06-2022
One of those long wood blades in a saws all should work
RE: Big piece of lead! - Distant Thunder - 04-06-2022
Don,
I'll give that a try if the if the rain ever stops. I may be able to whittle away at it, but it will take some time. If I had a big kettle, I'd set it up in that and build a wood fire under it. No matter what it's going to take time. The price was right though.
RE: Big piece of lead! - Don McDowell - 04-06-2022
One time I got into some big hunks of lead
I took after them with the acetalyne torch and was able to slice thru the into manageable chunks. I propped the end up over a cement block sitting on a piece of sheet steel to catch the slag
But it was messy and slow
RE: Big piece of lead! - Distant Thunder - 04-06-2022
When I had my big hydraulic press I made a blade I would mount in it and I could push it through some pretty thick pieces and cut them into useable sizes. Unfortunately I no long have my press so I'll give it a go with my saw. I know my bandsaw with a metal cutting blade doesn't work. The teeth are too fine and it will just jam up and stick the blade.
RE: Big piece of lead! - Don McDowell - 04-06-2022
The sawsall works pretty good with those big jagged teeth. I have a bunch of 25 lb blocks that I can cut into chunks to come out pretty close to mix with tin and get a good alloy.
RE: Big piece of lead! - JKR - 04-07-2022
Great find Jim!
I’ve had a couple pieces over the years that I had the same problem with. Once I used a cutting torch. Don’s description of that operation is perfect.
The Sawzall worked about the best for me. Lots of silver sawdust so catch it if you can. Get a couple of those long Milwaukee Axe demolition blades. They hold up pretty well.
I tried a chain saw once. We won’t talk about that!
Jim
RE: Big piece of lead! - Don McDowell - 04-07-2022
Chainsaw? now that's something you can't unsee. LOL
I did comptemplate for just a moment, turning a circle saw blade backwards like you can do with tin roofing... but last minute decided naw....