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Author Topic: Will it float  (Read 2068 times)

Offline No Powder

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Will it float
« 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?


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Online Hank in WV

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Re: Will it float
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2023, 10:11:15 PM »
I would think that would be no problem at all Tom.
Hank in WV
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Online Bigsmoke

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Re: Will it float
« Reply #2 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)
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Offline No Powder

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Re: Will it float
« Reply #3 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.👍


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Offline Winter Hawk

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Re: Will it float
« Reply #4 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~
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Offline No Powder

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Re: Will it float
« Reply #5 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


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Offline Winter Hawk

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Re: Will it float
« Reply #6 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~
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USN June 1962-Nov. 65, USS Philip, DD-498

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Offline No Powder

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Re: Will it float
« Reply #7 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?


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Online BEAVERMAN

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Re: Will it float
« Reply #8 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?
Jim Smith
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Offline No Powder

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Re: Will it float
« Reply #9 on: March 25, 2023, 04:01:57 PM »
LOL!!!  😝


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