OT - Smelting Pot

cnjarvis · Post by **cnjarvis** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 6:54 pm

Any reason why I can't use a heavy aluminum pot to smelt wheel weights?

spurgon · Post by **spurgon** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:07 pm

From what I read it's not the best. Seel or cast iron is.

spurgon

Guncase · Post by **Guncase** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 8:24 pm

I use one, it works just fine. I picked it up at the junk store for $1.00. I throw them in, then hit them with an acetylene torch and scoop out the steel clips. I have been meaning to buy a turkey fryer when they are on sale. The burner would be plenty big, and cheaper to fuel than my torch.

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:04 pm

Guncase, The old "acetylene torch " is a good way to melt those `PESKY`
Zink weights that don`t want to melt at low lead /WW melting point. Of course they won`t cast worth a hoot but what the heck, It worked!
Cast aluminum pots are OK but cast iron is best. Look at Wally World for cheep cast iron pots made in CHIMA (south China)

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:14 pm

The problem with an aluminum pot is that when it fails from too much heat it's not going to slowly leak. The bottom just drops out, and every pound of lead is at your feet instantly.

gon2shoot · Post by **gon2shoot** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:19 pm

+1 on what marlinman said aluminum pots can just go away.....takes a long time to clean up

Cracker · Post by **Cracker** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:19 am

gon2shoot wrote:+1 on what marlinman said.... ...takes a long time to clean up

skin grafs also take a long time to take.

As stated by others AL goes from solid to oh stuff at about 1220* (depending on alloy) which sounds like alot concidering lead melts 620* at and zinc at 780*+/-. but if you are pouring the coal to a large smelting pot on a turkey fryer stick a temp probe under the pot one time.

Do yourself a favor and search the swap meets and yards sales for a cast iron dutch oven, they can be had for just a couple bucks