Javelin Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 I Recently Got About 80 Lbs Of Old Drain Pipes And Lead Drums From A Plumber. Is It The Right Quality To Melt For Spinnerbait Heads? Also, I Was Wondering If I Can Melt It In An Old 5 Qt Aluminum Cooking Pot? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LedHed Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 The lead should be fine especially if you can scratch it with a fingernail. If you got 80lbs free you should breakdown and buy a melting pot. You will be way happier and safer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Javelin Posted September 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 Are You Talking About An Electric Melting Pot Or A Regular Old Cast Iron Melting Pot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LedHed Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 Either one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagacious Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 Are You Talking About An Electric Melting Pot Or A Regular Old Cast Iron Melting Pot? Both are fine, after the lead is melted down into ingots. Old lead pipe will have a lot of oxide and dirt on it. You need to remove that stuff before you try to pour lures with it. That crud will clog up a bottom-pour melting pot, and generally make pouring unpleasant if you use a pot and ladle, or whatever method you choose. The best way to 'refine' or 'purify' your lead pipes is to melt them down in an old cast-iron pot (think: thrift store) over a gas burner (like a turkey fryer). Cut the pipe into pieces-- an axe usually works OK for this, or you can just bend 'em back-and-forth until they break. Make sure the sections of lead pipe are bone-dry when you put them into the pot-- and even so, be aware that there may be a little moisture in there that can cause the molten lead to splatter, so be very careful. Old lead pipe may smoke quite a bit as you melt it down. Wear eye protection, and wear gloves. I usually wear an old cook's apron to help keep any lead splatter off. Once the lead is melted down, skim off all the floating crud, and use a ladle to pour the lead into ingots. An old muffin pan works great as an ingot mold (ladle and muffin pan: thrift store yet again). Once you've got your stash of purified lead ingots set, you can get down to pouring spinnerbaits. Do not use an aluminum pot for lead melting! I know some folks probably have, but anyone with a lick of sense and experience will tell you to get a cast-iron pot, or a stainless steel pot. Good luck, and be safe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 Sagacious, hit it right on the head. I know a lot of guys who pour on here will tell you to think safety first. I am a big proponent of that. Lead is very hot, and if you get burned (god forbid) it all isn't worth it. Old lead pipe may have water in it, and it will spatter, if it is dropped in hot lead. I've mentioned in past posts, on what I wear when I pour. This may be a little extreme, but here it goes. Shoes, socks, long pants (jeans), Flannel shirt, with long sleeves that you can button at the cuff. Safety glasses, clear face shield, and a base ball cap. Leather glove on my left hand, the one that holds the mold, and vinyl glove on my right hand. My biggest investment, was a clear face shield. I dearly protect my eyes. If I damage those, my whole life would be changed. Lastly, a small fan to disperse any fumes from the hot pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old man in the boat Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 When I started out I used a aluminim pot in my weber grill to melt down scrap lead out side of the house so I didn't stink the house up......... Till the bottom melted out and I had to get a new grill........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piddler Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 i thought plumber's lead was pure lead and very soft. i don't like soft lead for spinnerbaits. it lets the wire get loose in the head. use wheel weights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 Piddler, Yes plumbers lead is 99.999999999% pure, and it is very soft, however I use it for spinnerbaits, and I 've never had that problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piddler Posted September 18, 2007 Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 Cad what head design are you using? i've tried several and with soft lead, they've all wallered out where the wire enters the head after you catch a fish or 2. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted September 18, 2007 Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 Piddler, I pour the Do-It Ultra-Minnow, and also the banana spinnerbait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Javelin Posted September 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 Say you haven't had any problems with the Ultra Minnow Mold using the soft lead? How much do you sell the 3/8 oz for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted September 18, 2007 Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 Javelin, PM sent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
