Big piece of lead!

[Kurt]

Mike when I mix a batch of alloy I use a big cast iron Dutch oven that holds around 60 lbs on a turkey cooker burner and I use these little Wilton pans https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Recipe-Rig...7395&psc=1
They are just right using two ingots in a 20# Waage lead pot.

I go in in the morning for a MRI to see what they can do for the back.

[Distant Thunder]

Kurt,

Actually, I have not done anything with it yet. It's still sitting there waiting for its turn on the schedule. After Lodi I will haul it home, fortunately it has threaded inserts in the top so I can lift it with an eyebolt and a hoist. It does not move willing!

I sure hope they can do something for your back, you have my best wishes!

[beltfed]

Kurt,
We will be Praying for you that your back can be "fixed" with minimal pain, discomfort and FAST recovery.
We want to have you back shooting with us SOON.
I am going to go down to Lodi on the 30th, just to hang out, visit,etc. Not shooting.

Arnie

[Kurt]

TNX, Arnie.

If I can make it I told Cliff I would come and visit on Sunday to see how everyone made out.
I'm not rasing the white flag, I will be back on line as soon as they let me, maybe sooner
Are you healing well ?

Kurt

[Distant Thunder]

I figured I might as well come back to this thread for the up on my 700 lb. chuck of lead.

First off I have noticed that a 700 lb block of lead doesn't move very fast. It's been sitting in the same spot for months! I wonder why that is?

After my first attempt using my 27 ton wood splitter to reduce it to something I can lift up into my big melting pot the score is big chuck of lead 1 and Jim 0.

Yea, it didn't work. Just getting 700 pounds of lead up on the splitter should earn me a engineering degree, but with a couple lengths of chain, a come-along, a good stout maple tree and some time and effort I managed. That's when the obvious weight limit of the splitter was realized!

Round 2! With some cement blocks to support the frame of the splitter and keep the weight off those little tires I was able to set the block down on the splitter. As the ram pushed it to the stop at the end the splitter wanted to do a wheelie! So I stood on the tongue to prevent the splitter from standing on end.

Still able to reach the lever, I pushed it as hard as I could but there just isn't enough tonage there to push the blade more than an inch or so into the 8 inch square block. I thought that if I could get it near half way I could flip the block and come from the other side. Nothing doing!

Next up is the Sawzall! That should work.

[beltfed]

Don't recall if I had chimed in earlier, but,
when I had some large Pigs of lead alloy, I was able to
use my acetylene torch with a small tip, NOT the Cutting head, to melt a cut through it.
I don't think I burned out any of the tin and antimony, since the lead slot I cut thru the pig
was constantly melting and flowing down into a big pot I had under it
Arnie

[JKR]

Jim,
The sawzall will work. I’ve done it in fact. Use one of those long, heavy duty, Milwaukee demolition blades. They’re labeled “The Axe”, I believe. You can put something under it to catch the chips, but with that much lead maybe you’re not worried about minor waste. The blade will plug up but the teeth are course so they clean out easily.
I had my doubts about the wood splitter but it’s good that you volunteered to try it. I’ll cross that one off the list!
Jim

[Distant Thunder]

I still think the chainsaw would work, but I'll go with the sawzall. The next trip to town I stop and look for one of those blades. If you knew me Jim you would know I will do all I can to catch those chips. Lead is like gold to me!

[JKR]

I kind of figured you’d feel that way!

[Distant Thunder]

Jim,

My ammo is all loaded for the August 6th match at Rapids. Are you going to that one?