casting question

[oucme69]

I am wanting to start casting and have a question I have probly close to 100 pounds if not more of lead that I dug out of the ground that was wraped around wire can I use that for casting or not thanks in advance

 

[pdg45acp]

If it's really lead then yes.

You'll need to get something like Super Hard from Rotometals to mix into it.

I don't think I've ever seen lead wrapped wire, can you post a picture of it?

 

[pamchuck]

I agree with the other guy, I would be really carefull with lead that is dirty and you will need to mix it with something like pdg4acp mentioned to make it usable when casting.

 

[oucme69]

Ok that all I needed to know ill just scrap it thwn thanls for the info
..pdg45acp its not wrap aaround the wire anymore its just long strips of lead now

 

[pdg45acp]

Ok that all I needed to know ill just scrap it thwn thanls for the info
..pdg45acp its not wrap aaround the wire anymore its just long strips of lead now

If it really is lead it will work just fine even if it's absolutely filthy.
All the dirt and filth rises to the top during the process of rendering the lead into ingots, all you need to do is skim the crap off the top.
I like to keep the rendering temp below the melting point of zinc.

Add the Super hard into the casting mix, not during rendering, a little bit of super hard goes a long way.

 

[Leo]

The old undergrounds type telephone cable was lead sheathed. I hate to think of how many miles of that stuff got pulled out of use when they upgraded the cables that ran between the big city office buildings. It was soft lead, I am sure there will be lots of dross when you melt it down. You will need to add some tin and antimony.

 

[cavemike]

If you are going to scrap it PM me and I will take it off of your hands for a reasonable price.

Mike

 

[sassdan]

It's good to go I use water line lead that's been in the ground for 60+ years.

 

[oucme69]

Then I guess ill keep it and use it I do constrution and were always diging stuff like this up

 

[.356luger]

lead free solder is usually 90% tin and 2% antimony fyi