I have never cast bullets but , I am geting ready to.I have wheel weights for lead.What is the best way to remove the clips.I asume you do it when the weights are melted and pluck them out.So what is the efficient way to do so?

__________________
Jim McGhee

After the lead melts, the steel clips float and can be easily removed with the dipper or pliers.

OKFCO5 ,
Thanks for the reply. Im going to start melting them down today. Jim

__________________
Jim McGhee

I've used wheel weights for years and they are great for making bullets, but I've heard that new wheel weights have zinc in them and are not suitable for making bullets. You might want to check this out: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=40765

The new wheelweights that are made from zinc or a steel alloy will "clink" when dropped on concrete. The clips are usually riveted on, too, but not always. If you keep the temperature of your melt below about 750 Degrees, the zinc/steel weights will float to the top and you can scoop them off along with the clips and all the other debris.

Hope this helps.

Fred

As I recall it, $2 at the local China Mart...

Dollar store hole filled spoon.. Kinda funny to watch steel float

Yep, clipon WW make great bullet alloy. I would not let my melt temp get much aboive 700deg though, SOme of the zinc wts are alloyed & will melt right about 750deg. Steel wts are also in there but easily removed as they have riveted clips. The tape wts are pure lead, but carefull, many are now zinc too.

__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I use a magnet hung on a wire to remove the clips. I get a ring magnet out of the magnatron in a thrown out microwave.

The Lead weights are also softer than the Zinc ones.

Perfect.

__________________
Joshua 1:9

You probably already know this but be sure you are in a well ventilated area..lead pisioning is not a preaty thing..when i shot a 45 ACP i cast my own had a "blast" doing so. enjoy!

It obviously effected my spelling!

Depending on how much you have to smelt, I've found that using a cast iron or stainless steel pot over a propane burner is a good way to separate the clips. You take a 1 gallon paint can, drill a lot of holes in about the bottom half of it, fill it with the wheel weights, and then put the can in the pot over the burner. The lead will melt and flow out of the can into the pot, leaving the clips and non-lead weights behind (as long as you don't get it too hot). I prefer to flux the lead at that point and make ingots. When I use the ingots to mold the bullets, I flux the lead a second time. A partner of mine and I have about 500 lbs. of lead to smelt here pretty quick, and this is one of the better means of getting it done in a reasonable amount of time.

__________________
Dave Frost