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What are lead ladles made of?

What are lead ladles made of?

Shop for Lead Ladles

Large cast iron lead ladle Some lead ladles are made from cast iron.
A pressed  steel lead ladle

Others are made from pressed steel.

A lead ladle made of pressed steel and cast iron Others are constructed from both pressed steel and cast iron.

Cast iron ladles

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Molten iron being cast
  • Cast iron ladles retain the heat from the molten lead for longer, making transferring it easier
  • Some cast irons ladles have replaceable parts, making them more economical in the long run
  • They are heavier than ones made from steel
  • They are more expensive
  • They will rust over time

Pressed steel ladles

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

Pressed steel, steel
  • Pressed steel lead ladles are lighter than those made from cast iron
  • A pressed steel bowl (hemisphere) will not retain as much heat as a cast iron bowl, so you have to work faster as the lead begins to set more quickly
  • A pressed steel lead ladle is not as strong as a cast iron one

Which lead ladle should you choose?

A clock that is in a smiley face shape If you need more time to work or you are doing precise work, a cast iron ladle will keep the lead molten for longer.
A cross section of a lead ladle with a bottom pour facility If you are working with lead that you have recycled and which may have impurities in it, a bottom pour ladle may be suitable as it helps to separate the pure lead from the dross without the need of a skimming ladle. Bottom pour ladles are made from cast iron.
A steel ladle Steel ladles are lighter in weight, so you can comfortably transfer more lead. As steel does not retain heat as long as cast iron, this is a good choice if you are pouring lead into an ingot mould, where the opening is larger than on many other moulds. They are also great value for money!
If you intend to use your lead ladle a lot, you would benefit from purchasing one with a replaceable pressed steel handle and cast iron bowl. If one part gets damaged you don’t have to replace the entire tool.

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