How to make a lead ingot?

29th February 2020


	How to make a lead ingot?


	Shop for Lead Ladles


			Lead ingots are an efficient way to store pure lead and can be made easily. Follow the guide below to turn recycled lead into pure lead and then into an ingot.

			When melting lead, the fumes could give you a headache. Don’t be a bear with a sore head! Make sure there is no wind or if there is a slight breeze, that you are downwind of it. Do not eat or smoke whilst melting lead.

			You will need:
			Scrap lead (or lead purchased from a supplier) A cast iron pan with pouring spout A camping stove or a specialised lead smelting furnace A large metal spoon An ingot mould Some tea lights An old metal bucket A lead ladle

			Step 1 – Smelt lead outside Smelt your lead outside on a dry day as lead is highly toxic. Make sure you keep your lead and lead tools dry – water and hot lead do not mix!

			Step 2 – Fill pot with scrap lead Fill the pot with scrap lead or lead from a supplier. Wheel weights or old roofing lead provide suitable scrap pieces, although lead can be bought from builders’ suppliers and from outlets online.

			Step 3 – Add more scrap lead As the lead melts, you will be able to add more. Do this gently to avoid splashes.

			Step 4 – Remove heavier dross Once the lead has melted, remove the dross by scooping it out with the lead ladle and placing it into the scrap bucket.



			Step 5 – Remove scum Scum is the dirt or froth that appears on the surface of molten lead. As the lead mixture becomes cleaner, there will be fewer floating bits of metal (dross) and more scum. Remove the scum and place it in the scrap bucket with the other dross.

			Step 6 – Flux the lead To make an ingot without any impurities, you can flux the lead by putting a tea light candle into the pot. The wax will catch fire, causing flames, which produce carbon. The carbon sucks out the impurities.

			Step 7 – Spoon dirt out then stir lead Spoon the dirt and metal pieces out with a large metal spoon and place in a scrap bucket. Continue stirring the lead. Stir the pot right to the bottom to release all the dirt and non-lead pieces, then spoon them out.

			Step 8 – Pour lead Pour the pure lead into the ingot mould.

			Step 9 – Leave to cool Once you have poured the lead into the ingot mould, let it harden and cool.

			Step 10 – Store your ingot You now have a lead ingot pure enough to store and ready for use.

			Any dross that is removed can be responsibly disposed of at your local scrap yard, where it will be recycled.