Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Shooting Traditional Firearms and Weapons => General Interest => Topic started by: No Powder on March 23, 2023, 10:08:07 PM

Title: Will it float
Post by: No Powder on March 23, 2023, 10:08:07 PM
In the very near future, I plan to cast some round balls. I know there has been a lot of talk about casting . I apologize if this has been talked about before. The lead I will be using came out of a dentists' office. After cleaning to the best of my ability, and leaving it outside in the elements for several years, it looks pretty good except for something I believe to be glue . When I put it in the pot, will the glue rise to the top like other impurities so it can be scraped off?
Title: Re: Will it float
Post by: Hank in WV on March 23, 2023, 10:11:15 PM
I would think that would be no problem at all Tom.
Title: Re: Will it float
Post by: Bigsmoke on March 23, 2023, 10:26:01 PM
I also used some lead out of a medical facility.
And that lead also had glue on it.
I put it in the pot and fluxed with beeswax and it came out quite nice.
Go for it.
John (Bigsmoke)
Title: Re: Will it float
Post by: No Powder on March 24, 2023, 12:27:58 PM
Well Hank & Bigsmoke, you guys were right. Cast balls aren't showing any adverse effects from the glue. After trimming the ugly sprue  from a Rapine bag mold and rolling a little bit ,I think they're looking good enough to be used as postal match ammo. Another issue resolved by the friendly folks in the TMA.👍
Title: Re: Will it float
Post by: Winter Hawk on March 24, 2023, 05:02:00 PM
Last year I got 50 lb. of lead from the scrap yard.  It was all drain pipe, had all sorts of dried crud in it.  I just chopped it into pieces which fit in the lead pot and melted, scraping off the crud as it floated to the surface.  It makes some fine ball; doesn't even smell bad!   :laffing

~Kees~
Title: Re: Will it float
Post by: No Powder on March 24, 2023, 05:52:30 PM
Holy smokes, that should make you about 2000 round balls (50cal). That should keep you busy for a while. Do you realize how many times you are going to have to clean that smoke pole to shoot that many balls? We better take up a collection to buy you some patches & solvent. LOL
Title: Re: Will it float
Post by: Winter Hawk on March 25, 2023, 02:19:21 PM
Just want to have enough on hand for when "they" outright ban selling lead!  Of course if they make ownership of same illegal I may be a felon if I get caught....

~Kees~
Title: Re: Will it float
Post by: No Powder on March 25, 2023, 03:05:21 PM
Maybe we can share the same cell. Think they will let us cast some balls while we're in there?
Title: Re: Will it float
Post by: BEAVERMAN on March 25, 2023, 03:49:35 PM
Last year I got 50 lb. of lead from the scrap yard.  It was all drain pipe, had all sorts of dried crud in it.  I just chopped it into pieces which fit in the lead pot and melted, scraping off the crud as it floated to the surface.  It makes some fine ball; doesn't even smell bad!   :laffing

~Kees~

But the big question is........... how do they taste?
Title: Re: Will it float
Post by: No Powder on March 25, 2023, 04:01:57 PM
LOL!!!  😝