DIY lead smelter from a stove

[W.olly]

So first maybe project in the new workshop will be to make a weight for the flypress. I have i think, plenty of lead here from old sea fishing weights.

First thing is first though is to sort a smelter/furnace out.

I have these two stoves here which will either be used to heat the workshop or used as a smelter.

Now the vermiculite bricks go up to 1200degC the glass i can replace with steel and line the door aswell with the fire brick.

The whole for top flue can have the crucible in and then the rear flue is used.

Any further thoughts on this folks ? would it get to the temp needed to smelt the lead ? and best way to produce the heat needed

Better condition steel stove. good make.

cheap Clarke one i would rather use as its a bit rough lol.

 

[brightspark]

its re melt not smelt smelting is extracting metals from ore

 

[Mr Fro]

Well considering I used to melt lead soldiers on a spoon over the gas hob*, I think you'll be al-reeeet.

*as a child.

 

[W.olly]

its re melt not smelt smelting is extracting metals from ore

just been reading up and all i know at the minute is smelting is needed over melting as to what ever reason ha ha

i just wana melt lead so i can well, melt it lol

 

[gaz1]

easiest way is to use an old gas bottle sat on a brick with the fire off side

so that it blows through and vortex around the tube gas bottle and then up and out through the chimney area

easily done with just normal bricks and a cover before up the flue pipe

 

[W.olly]

Ok then, i wanted to use a stove for heat, and the other was gong to be fettled n flogged on when refurbed.

So if i was to go LPG on the melting stove which would be best, coal or LPG ?

 

[W.olly]

easiest way is to use an old gas bottle sat on a brick with the fire off side

so that it blows through and vortex around the tube gas bottle and then up and out through the chimney area

easily done with just normal bricks and a cover before up the flue pipe

as it is though it doesnt sound easier, or as easy as the stove with a crucible in the top.

 

[Screwdriver]

I did mine on a camping stove in a saucepan.

It is lead particles that are super dangerous when ingested or god forbid inhaled but melting lead does not produce lead fumes. Plenty of other nasties in scrap lead though. The process also does allow small particulate matter to be a sort of byproduct. Take sensible precautions.

 

[cocker]

I melt my lead in a sauce pan , on a little camping gas cooker .
That stove will be well hot enough .
take care when fooling around with molten lead and , NEVER POUR MOLTEN LEAD IN TO A DAMP MOULD .

 

[Screwdriver]

Lol.

 

[W.olly]

i looked into it many years ago and folk said not to use these gas stove as temps get to high and can blow the gas canister.

Guess that was the idiots of the internet now that know everything about nothing lol.

sooooo what else can i make from lead. new fishing weights maybe lol.

 

[gaz1]

 

[cocker]

Lol.

That's the same set up I use but I don't bother with the extra blow lamp , just have a beer while it's cooking .

 

[bigegg]

I used to melt it in a cast iron saucepan on the gas stove - and on a charcoal BBQ.

even a wood fire is hot enough.

 

[gaz1]

 

[Onoff]

Just bagged all my scrap lead up to weigh it in.

Just got to sort the copper and brass.

 

[Migmac]

I used an old metal kettle and a camping stove to melt lead. Worked a treat

 

[W.olly]

Thanks chaps. ill keep the best stove as use that as both heater and melt pot. Ill go search for a melt pot now to fit. Hey two jobs in one at barley a cost.

cheers

 

[W.olly]

@Screwdriver i watched a few YT vid`s, takes ages to cool dont they lol.

 

[Screwdriver]

@Screwdriver i watched a few YT vid`s, takes ages to cool dont they lol.

Oh yeah. Know that now thanks!

It caused the steel sphere to oxidise right at the peacock tempering range. They look absolutely beautiful in real life, still do now. Like a sort of Death Star model.