Casting round ball

Flintlock said:

A drop of water from anywhere falling into the pot can be hazordous.

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On that point I agree completely. Live steam will take skin off in a heartbeat. I have worked on boilers, huge steam fed cookers and medical autoclaves - steam is a super nasty burn.
On having a pot explode and spew lead out like a volcano over a drop of water on the surface? - just not so.
Dumping cold scrap into a smelting pot with molten lead already in it - yes - the lead containing water goes sub-surface and then melts will create a high pressure steam condition.
A drop of sweat won't do it. And as you can see in my video - water on top of a pot of melted lead will simply boil off in a couple of seconds. It does not explode.
I have cast lead, aluminum, bronze, Babbitt, pewter, copper, and several other alloys.
Caution is always prudent, but knowing the truth and is better than hysterical panic.
What we DON'T want to do is scare anyone away from taking up the most rewarding art of casting ammunition for their guns. It's part of a very enjoyable hobby so let's not discourage anyone from casting by scaring them off with unfounded rumors of death and destruction.

Griz44Mag said:

I never said you COULDN'T - just don't see any reason to make it hard when it does not have to be.
Sitting and casting a few balls over a campfire - I've done it and enjoyed it as part of an outdoor adventure, but when I'm casting more than a few - for quantity - it won't be over a campfire.

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Two of our clubs put on demonstrations for the public, once we did a winter weekend camp here in Minnesota in Febuary. felt pretty nice working next to the fire. lol We do another demonstration in the fall as well. I've cast many pounds of lead like this over a three day period but do have a couple electric pots and modern ball molds for heavy production.

Flintlock said:

A drop of water from anywhere falling into the pot can be hazordous.

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I've never seen small free falling drops of water go beneath the lead's surface and explode into steam violently. They will sizzle and dance on the surface until evaporated in my experience. It is the plunking of wet cold lead into the molten pot that allows water to be trapped below and misbehave. I suppose a damp ladle or stir stick would be eventful too.

I do cast in my ingested barn, with the doors open for light as their is no electricity. Therefore, it is as cold inside as outside

GrandLakeHunter said:

I've never seen small free falling drops of water go beneath the lead's surface and explode into steam violently. They will sizzle and dance on the surface until evaporated in my experience. It is the plunking of wet cold lead into the molten pot that allows water to be trapped below and misbehave. I suppose a damp ladle or stir stick would be eventful too.

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Mine did. Drop of condensation off a glass of tea out side. It even made a pop sound. Little bit of lead drops on my pants and shirt. No harm done but ok, i get it now. No liquids around molten lead.

jdw276 said:

Mine did. Drop of condensation off a glass of tea out side. It even made a pop sound. Little bit of lead drops on my pants and shirt. No harm done but ok, i get it now. No liquids around molten lead.

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Another reason I don't cast that much wearing only a breechclout.

Griz44Mag said:

I'm gonna have to call BS on that one............
I've been casting for decades - and it is only of water is trapped in lead when smelting do you have that kind of an issue....

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XyoNQMnth3sNPqUm7

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As a cable splicer for New England Telephone, and all its name changes over the years 67 to 97, I worked with lead pots on an ongoing basis. If you think a slug of water hitting a pot of molten lead BS. I suggest you give it a try sometimes. Let us know the results.

Whughett said:

As a cable splicer for New England Telephone, and all its name changes over the years 67 to 97, I worked with lead pots on an ongoing basis. If you think a slug of water hitting a pot of molten lead BS. I suggest you give it a try sometimes. Let us know the results.

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What makes you believe that I think a "slug" of water dumped in lead is a safe thing to do? I certainly did not say or indicate anything like that. Don't make up your own facts please.
We were not discussing a "slug" of water (just how much is that anyhow?). We were discussing a single drop of sweat.
A bulletproof sheet of glass will stop a 22 but it won't stop an 88 flak gun - so what is your point?
As a cable splicer you should have been taught how to NOT handle a lead pot. How were you so unsafe as to experience that in the first place? Broke protocol and violated at least 3 safe practice rules didn't you?
I am a licensed master electrician (for over 50 years) and I too have done my share of lead sheath cable splicing.. Not on low current communication cable but on high voltage (15KV +) distribution cable in petrochemical plant applications.

Griz44Mag said:

What makes you believe that I think a "slug" of water dumped in lead is a safe thing to do? I certainly did not say or indicate anything like that. Don't make up your own facts please.
We were not discussing a "slug" of water (just how much is that anyhow?). We were discussing a single drop of sweat.
A bulletproof sheet of glass will stop a 22 but it won't stop an 88 flak gun - so what is your point?
As a cable splicer you should have been taught how to NOT handle a lead pot. How were you so unsafe as to experience that in the first place? Broke protocol and violated at least 3 safe practice rules didn't you?
I am a licensed master electrician (for over 50 years) and I too have done my share of lead sheath cable splicing.. Not on low current communication cable but on high voltage (15KV +) distribution cable in petrochemical plant applications.

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My someone’s got their panties in a knot. Drop or slug, moisture and lead doesn’t mix, you call another user a liar, I think you should demonstrate just how much water entering a lead pot will or will not cause an eruption of lead drops into the air.

No I never had any mishaps, no broken protocols no loss time of work due to safety violations of any type in my thirty years of working for a company whose safety program was extremely rigid. but I’ve seen it demonstrated in safety films and I’ve see the effects of spilled lead on human skin.
A drop of water hitting the surface of a lead pot will cause splatter that splatter will throw lead droplets out and if one hits an eyeball ……….

Your not the first person to claim it won’t in these discussions.

Whughett said:

My someone’s got their panties in a knot. Drop or slug, moisture and lead doesn’t mix, you call another user a liar, I think you should demonstrate just how much water entering a lead pot will or will not cause an eruption of lead drops into the air.

No I never had any mishaps, no broken protocols no loss time of work due to safety violations of any type in my thirty years of working for a company whose safety program was extremely rigid. but I’ve seen it demonstrated in safety films and I’ve see the effects of spilled lead on human skin.
A drop of water hitting the surface of a lead pot will cause splatter that splatter will throw lead droplets out and if one hits an eyeball ……….

Your not the first person to claim it won’t in these discussions.

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No panties in a knot - I never put a "slug" of water in anything. Nor will I, even if you suggest that I need to.
My video says it all. A drop of water falling from a high level will likely cause a splatter. If a drop of sweat does that then he would have to be standing on top of a ladder to do it.
Most folks don't stand on ladders when they cast. I proved my point with a few drops of water falling from a foot or so. That's irrefutable. That's hard evidence.
BS is BS - no matter where it comes from. It should not be our mission to spread false information but should be our mission to tell it like it really is.
Let's not scare away someone who wants to cast by scaring the hell out them them - instead let's provide real information.

jdw276 said:

Mine did. Drop of condensation off a glass of tea out side. It even made a pop sound. Little bit of lead drops on my pants and shirt. No harm done but ok, i get it now. No liquids around molten lead.

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How many feet above the pot did you have the glass of tea?

Daveboone said:

just make darn tootin sure no water/sleet /snow is able to blow into you lead pot

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Oh yeah, you don't want to meet the silver dragon.

I've still got the scars from a meeting with the silver dragon.
As others have said water on top just boils off but I was cleaning up some lead outside and making ingots when it started raining so I move everything into the garage. Continued to heat the lead but didn't check the ingot molds, well there was just a little water in one when I poured the lead in it was like it exploded I was wearing shorts and I had to peel the droplets of lead off my leg encluding the skin.

GrandLakeHunter said:

How many feet above the pot did you have the glass of tea?

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Maybe 2 ft more or less. I saw it hit, bubble and then pop. Started ducking. Had maybe 3 or 4 drops of lead scattered around. Max 5. Not big drops but you could see em.

Griz44Mag said:

No panties in a knot - I never put a "slug" of water in anything. Nor will I, even if you suggest that I need to.
My video says it all. A drop of water falling from a high level will likely cause a splatter. If a drop of sweat does that then he would have to be standing on top of a ladder to do it.
Most folks don't stand on ladders when they cast. I proved my point with a few drops of water falling from a foot or so. That's irrefutable. That's hard evidence.
BS is BS - no matter where it comes from. It should not be our mission to spread false information but should be our mission to tell it like it really is.
Let's not scare away someone who wants to cast by scaring the hell out them them - instead let's provide real information.

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And let’s not down play the importance of not allowing liquid of any type near a pot of molten lead. Your drop of water can throw out a bit of 900 degree lead as small as a grain of sand that if it hits an eye ball it’s catastrophic. I’m sure you’ve used a spoon or other device at room temperature to stir a pot of lead. I’m equally sure you inserted it with caution until the popping and fizzing subsided. Thrust it in suddenly that room temperature seemingly dry spoon can literally cause a mini explosion of lead droplets.
You spot on with dis information, but down playing the hazards of working with even relatively small amount of lead, 5 10 or even 20 pound batches that a bullet caster will use Entails a certain amount of risk. Risk everyone should be aware of.
iMO having any liquid within 5 feet of a lead pot is asking for trouble amd skipping drops of water onto the surface of a pot of lead pure foolishness. Just my opinion sir, no disrespect intended.

Whughett said:

And let’s not down play the importance of not allowing liquid of any type near a pot of molten lead. Your drop of water can throw out a bit of 900 degree lead as small as a grain of sand that if it hits an eye ball it’s catastrophic. I’m sure you’ve used a spoon or other device at room temperature to stir a pot of lead. I’m equally sure you inserted it with caution until the popping and fizzing subsided. Thrust it in suddenly that room temperature seemingly dry spoon can literally cause a mini explosion of lead droplets.
You spot on with dis information, but down playing the hazards of working with even relatively small amount of lead, 5 10 or even 20 pound batches that a bullet caster will use Entails a certain amount of risk. Risk everyone should be aware of.
iMO having any liquid within 5 feet of a lead pot is asking for trouble amd skipping drops of water onto the surface of a pot of lead pure foolishness. Just my opinion sir, no disrespect intended.

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I agree - we should not downplay safety and always err on the safe side.
No - I don't use cold utensils, I did learn that the hard way... I put my stir and mix spoon, molds and everything I will use hot on the hotplate when I set up to cast - pre-heat is a good thing.
And I do not have any liquids around the casting table, that's just plain common sense. Spills do occur and steam will burn you.
In the case of Andy's ingot molds, that was for sure to be expected. Molten lead into water is an entirely different outcome than water into molten lead. Water on top and water on bottom are two very different animals. If those molds had been pre-heated that would have been a different story - and the ingots would have been much better defined when cast. Cold ingot molds are like cold bullet molts - they will cast wrinkled ingots.
And yes, I do always use eye protection when casting, another common sense issue.
My whole point here has been to not scare off a potential new caster from a very rewarding aspect of our favorite hobby by scaring the hell out of them with things that are just not true.

Africa58double said:

Casting by Fire at Hunting camp with picnic table got old when it got real cold. Like today.. 10Degree wind chillView attachment 113280

Made a Set up in barn with the Planer sawdust air System…

No fumes, Just a flannel.

Plus- Get 5 x more done with ease

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That’s a beautiful setup! Luxurious even!

Thank you/ It’s really my Brother who makes things so nice. Just that kind of guy.
Casting and hunting with your own… That’s the Luxury.

It has happened to me 2x. First time was many years ago and before internet. I had cleaned some lead with water and didn't know better. Blew all over the kitchen and me. I still don't know how I came out of it without getting any bad burns. Second time was a few years ago in my garage. It was cold but not that cold, winter in Vegas. Lead was not damp. It was a diving weight and some people say possibly the diving weight from diving pressures had some water forced into the lead. Luckly I saw the lead bubbling and I got away from it quick. I now pre heat my lead when it is cold.

I once put a piece of lead pipe in my Lee lead pot to melt down. This piece of pipe was in the dry garage for years and was plenty dry ...I thought. There must have been a drop of water under all the gunk and calcium that was on the inside of the pipe. As it started to melt, I heard a sizzle then a bullet blob of molten lead shot out of the end of the pipe across the garage !! Lesson to be learned ... never point your lead pipe at anyone as it might be loaded !! Good thing I wasn't standing in front of it..
Ohio Rusty ><>