smelting wheel weights

[hornadylnl]

I've got some wheel weights I need to smelt into ingots. I've heard a lot of people say they use candle wax to flux the lead with. Does it make any difference if the wax is colored or not? I've got a bunch of old red candles that I can use. Also, how much wax do you use for say a milk jug size amount of wheel weights? Thanks

 

[Old Syko]

It will work fine and at 700+degrees that color isn't going to make a difference. A pinch or two per pound mixed in once molten will do the job. Do this outside and stay upwind. Don't skim off the antimony when fluxing. Just the dirt.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

+1 on being in a WELL VENTILATED area. You do NOT want lead in your lungs/blood stream.

(The good news, though, is that it will metabolize out...eventually)

Don't smoke while you're smelting, don't eat, don't chew gum, don't play with your kids if you have any, don't be going in and out of the house or anything even remotely similar to the above until you've washed. And washed again. And leave your clothes outside if you can help it. This is especially important if there are children around...or going to be around.

-J-

 

[Corky]

Here's some reading material for you.
The castboolits site has a lot of good information.
I've been using small wood shavings, almost like a course sawdust
and Steric acid, a type of wax used to make "no drip candles" no drip.
Also, keep your temp between 650 and 700 so you don't melt any zinc
weights if there are any.

Jeff

The Simple Act Of Fluxing, A Bullet Casting Feature Article

The scientific aspect of fluxing....? - Cast Boolits