Lead moulding questions

I have just got a Gemini mould kit and a pile of lead flashing from a roof.

I need some advice on the moulding hardware. I have a small Campingaz gas stove, will this be good enough to get the lead up to temperature?

As for the pot and ladle, will ordinary steel be strong enough or do I need to source something cast iron?

Take a look here, good tutorial with pics, most important thing is follow all the safety advice, you can't be too careful with molten lead
Paul

http://www.planetseafishing.com/tutoria ... ads-safely

m8 few tips..

Avoid water near lead or the mould

allow a 'little' air into to mould (to tight will only force the air back out the hole yer pouring the lead into!...

Lots of air round you...the stuff will kill ya!...be safe...

I have just got a Gemini mould kit and a pile of lead flashing from a roof.

I need some advice on the moulding hardware. I have a small Campingaz gas stove, will this be good enough to get the lead up to temperature?

As for the pot and ladle, will ordinary steel be strong enough or do I need to source something cast iron?

the camping gas stove will not do the trick i dont think,remember to heat the mould before you pour the lead,a warm mould accepts the lead better,leave the mould beside the fire for 10 min and that should do.i make all my leads in my living room, with the help of a small portable vice i bought,and use a small aluminimum sugar bowl to melt the lead,have been using this for years.

so tools for the job.
1; a pair of gloves for pouring
2; two pliers,
3 vice
4 lead cutters
5 warm mould.

the camping stove will work but it isnt great. when the can gets about half empty, the pressure in the can drops and the heat isnt as good, you could just change the can every time you notice the lead not melting properly but it will work out pretty expensive.
i use an old pot with a little spout in it. if it doesnt have a spout try to beat one into it as it will be a lot easier and safer to pour.
have a look for JML heat resistant gloves. their meant to be the biz but i couldnt find them anywhere so got welders gauntlets instead.
i also wear a pair of safety goggles, just in case.

safety googles and gloves are a must .. make sure the lead is dry if you put wet lead into a bowl of melt lead it will spit melted lead out . i used a gas stove for a while but it was too expensive i use a open fire now and a bowl
safety is a must as lead is poisionous gloves ,apron, googles , mask, proper foot wear (sandels don't count ) a accident with melted lead is a serious one and good ventilantion

Thanks for all the safety tips lads, can't be too careful, I'll be sticking on the welding gloves, mask and rigger boots to keep safe.

A site member pointed me in the direction of the handy Lee melting pot, it is expensive at 75 quid but I reckon it looks a hell of a lot easier to use and also safer to use, so if i make enough leads then I should be able to justify the cost and if I can make them well enough I may be able to sell some to local shops to recoup the initial outlay...

Anyone else used one? Here's a quick YouTube vid of one in action!


http://youtube.com/watch?v=53SXI3D2AcI

I found, even using a camping stove, that if you use a blow torch, the lead melts faster and then all you are using the camping stove for is to keep the lead molten... You will be surprised how fast the blow torch melts the lead compared to other methods...