In About a Year's Worth of Detecting I Pulled 9.6 LBS of Lead Sinkers From One Spot on One Lake

[AusTexDude]

So I bought a lead melter and some pyramid sinker molds.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[pepperj]

So I bought a lead melter and some pyramid sinker molds.

Got 50 cent a pound the other day at the scrap yard.
Making weights is more profitable.
Stand up wind.

 

[AusTexDude]

After all was said and done I had almost 15 lbs of lead I found metal detecting. It has all been melted and made into pyramid sinkers

 

[ncsuwolf]

How much scum/slag did you have to scrape off the top of the melted lead? I have 15-20 lbs I’m planning to do the same with, but in my experience even “clean” lead had to be skimmed…..can’t even imagine what this will be like.

 

[AusTexDude]

How much scum/slag did you have to scrape off the top of the melted lead? I have 15-20 lbs I’m planning to do the same with, but in my experience even “clean” lead had to be skimmed…..can’t even imagine what this will be like.

Not much, maybe a lb or so. I don't bother cleaning the weights ahead of time, I leave all the bits of fishing line and stuff on them and just scrape the ashes off the top. Lead is so dense everything floats on the top, even iron.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Did the same with my lead also. I make smaller weights though (drop shot).

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

You still have a bit of lead with the sprues. Once you trim those off.

 

[AusTexDude]

How much scum/slag did you have to scrape off the top of the melted lead? I have 15-20 lbs I’m planning to do the same with, but in my experience even “clean” lead had to be skimmed…..can’t even imagine what this will be like.

Get a bottom draining melter it makes life so much easier. It pours from the bottom so you always have clean lead.

Lee Precision Electric Metal Melter​

Lee Lead Melter

 

[AusTexDude]

You still have a bit of lead with the sprues. Once you trim those off.

Do you know the most efficient way to trim those off?

 

[AusTexDude]

A note about lead melting most people are unaware of. STEAM EXPLOSIONS
When adding certain sinkers to molten lead, especially egg weights, always do it at arm's length facing away from the melter. An egg weight can trap water inside. That water can turn to steam instantly if it goes below the surface of the molten lead and traps the water. It could pop with about 1/4 the explosive power of a firecracker and blast molten lead in your direction. It can happen fast. ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES AROUND ANY MOLTEN METAL.

 

[ncsuwolf]

A note about lead melting most people are unaware of. STEAM EXPLOSIONS
When adding certain sinkers to molten lead, especially egg weights, always do it at arm's length facing away from the melter. An egg weight can trap water inside. That water can turn to steam instantly if it goes below the surface of the molten lead and traps the water. It could pop with about 1/4 the explosive power of a firecracker and blast molten lead in your direction. It can happen fast. ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES AROUND ANY MOLTEN METAL.

Not just egg weights……water + melted lead = no bueno

 

[ncsuwolf]

Do you know the most efficient way to trim those off?

We use a pair of dikes. It leaves a bit of remaining sprue where cut, but am always of the thought, you’re making fishing weights, not a Swiss watch. If you want a super clean appearance at the sprue, let some else weigh in

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Do you know the most efficient way to trim those off?

I use wire cutters.

 

[AusTexDude]

I use wire cutters.

Thanks. I'm already over a LB of new lead I have picked since I melted that first batch. The sinkers usually VDI somewhere in the 70s with a super strong signal, the same as fat gold rings and silver rings so I have to dig them.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

I actually enjoy finding the lead. The sinkers are fun to make. Plus me and my brother use them. I also bought an ingot mold to use for my extra lead when I have made enough sinkers. Makes my excess lead stackable.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Thanks. I'm already over a LB of new lead I have picked since I melted that first batch. The sinkers usually VDI somewhere in the 70s with a super strong signal, the same as fat gold rings and silver rings so I have to dig them.

If you heat the molds the pour will remove the ripples and also pour easier.

 

[Gare]

Nice find and GREAT idea to make sinkers with the lead

 

[ncsuwolf]

I actually enjoy finding the lead. The sinkers are fun to make. Plus me and my brother use them. I also bought an ingot mold to use for my extra lead when I have made enough sinkers. Makes my excess lead stackable.

Based on my lead/clad/trash/expensive jewelry find ratio history when beach hunting……. The lead is the most valuable thing found. Bonus points if it can go straight into the tackle box without remelting. Where the melting works for me is all the modern bullets dug when relic hunting.