I have acquired 10kg, maybe more, of lead. I have been offered much more if I wish. What should I do with it - I have musings of casting my own media.....
Any suggestions.
Lead
Moderators: richardh08, Boophoenix, Lloyd
Re: Lead
Casting your own media would be a good option, depending on the type of lead you have it can be hardened, code 4 roofing lead is very good on its own however code 2 can be great with a little addition of lead-free solder, I can advise on this subject Sam.
Re: Lead
A 50-calibre to 75-calibre musket ball mold works better.
The only other faster, less-expensive, and 'expedient' way to do it (without buying a commercial mold) is to follow my instructions to cast lead rods of your chosen diameter, then cut them up (with nippers, not a saw) into 'square cylinders' (as high as their diameter).
They rapidly pound 'roundish' and are slightly more efficient at milling than are spheres.
The method is described in "Ball Milling Theory and Practice for the Amateur Pyrotechnician", which I hope you will buy, rather than 'pirate', since it's still under copyright. It's still being sold commercially by a number of pyro book vendors. There's a lot of good information in it about optimizing your mill, and full plans to build one from scratch-parts.
Lloyd
The only other faster, less-expensive, and 'expedient' way to do it (without buying a commercial mold) is to follow my instructions to cast lead rods of your chosen diameter, then cut them up (with nippers, not a saw) into 'square cylinders' (as high as their diameter).
They rapidly pound 'roundish' and are slightly more efficient at milling than are spheres.
The method is described in "Ball Milling Theory and Practice for the Amateur Pyrotechnician", which I hope you will buy, rather than 'pirate', since it's still under copyright. It's still being sold commercially by a number of pyro book vendors. There's a lot of good information in it about optimizing your mill, and full plans to build one from scratch-parts.
Lloyd
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
Re: Lead
I have indeed and already own it, it's a great book ! Pirating would be theft... Clearly there is quite a bit to this - Ken, how would I know what type of roofing lead I have ? Is there a clever way to find out?Lloyd wrote: The method is described in "Ball Milling Theory and Practice for the Amateur Pyrotechnician", which I hope you will buy, rather than 'pirate', since it's still under copyright. It's still being sold commercially by a number of pyro book vendors. There's a lot of good information in it about optimizing your mill, and full plans to build one from scratch-parts.
Lloyd
Re: Lead
Sam,
First, thank you!
Second,
If you can acquire some Lin-O-Type metal, it serves well to harden lead a LOT, with fairly small additions.
I'm not an expert in this, and don't know the proportions -- but almost all the fellows selling "hardened lead" media are using it to some degree.
Lloyd
First, thank you!
Second,
If you can acquire some Lin-O-Type metal, it serves well to harden lead a LOT, with fairly small additions.
I'm not an expert in this, and don't know the proportions -- but almost all the fellows selling "hardened lead" media are using it to some degree.
Lloyd
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
Re: Lead
Sam depending on how your lead was given to you it would be difficult to say as to what you have, if it is in sheet form there is a good chance it is code 4, if it is old gas pipe then best harden it.
Linotype Alloy is normally (4%-Tin, 12%-Antimony, and 84%-Lead) I have it if you need some
Linotype Alloy is normally (4%-Tin, 12%-Antimony, and 84%-Lead) I have it if you need some