might as well tell what i have been learning
I am doing this on a fire pit , & wood
I use a cast iron pot about 10 inches by 12 inches tall
I find cast iron holds heat well so during the pour all comes out
a stainless steel pot works but cools to fast so some lead can stay in pot
The pour skill is key as you can have floating char that will stay put during the pour
just go very slow , My years as a painter actually helps here as pouring paint from buckets is the same feel
In reference to batteries , Take apart as well as you can lead oxide will not melt well - nor will some noticeably damaged lead from some of the cells
So before the melt look for very VERY brittle portions - if it snaps like a potato chip,that is not turning into lead so remove as much as practical .it's OK to have some but if you have to much of the non melt type , it is to much weight - the weight of that mass can absorb some of the molten lead like a sponge & make it pretty much gone - - it sinks into the molten lead.
The lead oxide can melt to form a rock like sponge & it still has decent weight so it will pull the good lead into it .
Since this sponge lead can be busted with a hammer I doubt it could be sold .
Still i wonder if there is a way to treat the lead oxide first to separate the bond . I am hearing hints that charcoal might do the trick
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I can see ,if us scrappers want to act like we recycle & do good .
Batteries are some thing we really can't do proper
The plastic I can recycle , The acid I cant & the lead oxide I cant (as of yet) It's a real concern this lead oxide ,
as it is converted to metallic lead at facilities .
So I guess I took the challenge but I am not going to start contributing 100 of pounds of lead oxide to land fills ,as it is poison - even I can see might be worse then metallic lead,
as it's soluble into a powdery muck.
There are more then enough other source of lead to avoid this type of gluttony .
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The quality of the Batteries lead is usable by experts - - as they know what it takes to sweeten up the not 100% pure lead
most lead is not 100% pure . Roofing lead is the jewel most wanted .
If your looking to have what is needed for future value in reference to lead , stock pile some pewter (97% tin) & and some zinc on hand , thats what is used to adjust lead to the liking of different applications.
Next
When you have a pot of molten lead NEVER put water on it ,it will react POSITIVELY and fly all over never use water to speed up the initial cool down ( wile still liquid)
After the pour leave alone , let get good and hard .Then turn mold over they will fall out. CAUTION those bars are still very hot . It's up to you but I give it another 5 min then plop em in water
Also if you have a pot of molten lead up and running . Putting in non melted lead will cause a reaction like putting water on it .
Best bet is to melt the amount from start and thats the batch.
THERE is no room for mistakes THATS ALL .Once you are committed and holding that pot you better be focused You have a tiger by the tail.
NO WATER
DON"T DO IN THE RAIN.
I can guarantee
it will react explosive to water
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