First smelt-ingots stuck in mold, go ahead and laugh

scwv67 · Apr 21, 2013

Did my first smelt this weekend of some isotope lead I got from a pharmacy. Everything went well for a first attempt, or so I thought. I used some old muffin pans I bought at Goodwill, which are steel and don't appear to have any type of non-stick coating.

After cooling, I flipped them to inspect my first ingots, and they won't come out! I've tried tapping them with a rubber mallet to no avail. They're stuck.

I know I can just heat them in the pot next time and melt them out, but I obviously want to figure out the problem first. What did I do wrong?

Nframecollector · Apr 21, 2013

Should have used an aluminium muffin pan!

thatroolz · Apr 21, 2013

I have a Lyman Big Dipper Casting Kit on the way. I have no idea what could be wrong. I have seen many videos on people using muffin pans with no problem. Maybe its the lead? And by the way, how did you get the lead from the pharmacy? Did you just walk up and ask for it? Did you have to pay for it?

scwv67 · Apr 21, 2013

Nframecollector said:
Should have used an aluminium muffin pan!

I was beginning to suspect, buy why is steel no good? It seems aluminum ones are not as common where I shop, including the kitchen

, as they all attract a magnet.

Thanks.

scwv67 · Apr 21, 2013

thatroolz said:
I have a Lyman Big Dipper Casting Kit on the way. I have no idea what could be wrong. I have seen many videos on people using muffin pans with no problem. Maybe its the lead? And by the way, how did you get the lead from the pharmacy? Did you just walk up and ask for it? Did you have to pay for it?

I asked around and was turned down by two for various reasons. One agreed to sell it to me for 60 cents/lb. Not a fantastic deal, but better than the 90 cents/lb the scrap yard wants for WW. If the isotope lead can be used straight without needing anything as I've heard, I'll be happy though. It's supposed to be 93/3/1.

In my AO, every tire shop either won't sell, wants too much, or says their lead is already spoken for.

AR_Black · Apr 21, 2013

Turn the pan upside down, outdoors on concrete.
If you have filled the pockets all the way with lead, put the pan on blocks.
Use a torch on one of the muffin pockets, and tap with hammer.

thatroolz · Apr 21, 2013

scwv67 said:
I was beginning to suspect, buy why is steel no good? It seems aluminum ones are not as common where I shop, including the kitchen, as they all attract a magnet.

Thanks.

Yeah, I don't understand that. Many high quality bullet molds are made of steel.

scwv67 · Apr 21, 2013

AR_Black said:
Turn the pan upside down, outdoors on concrete.
If you have filled the pockets all the way with lead, put the pan on blocks.
Use a torch on one of the muffin pockets, and tap with hammer.

Thanks! I'll try that today.

davekp · Apr 21, 2013

thatroolz said:
Yeah, I don't understand that. Many high quality bullet molds are made of steel.

Actually, molds are made of cast iron, which lead doesn't stick to. Lead will stick in a steel pan. It's soldering. It won't stick (or solder) to aluminum.

scwv67 · Apr 21, 2013

davekp said:
Actually, molds are made of cast iron, which lead doesn't stick to. Lead will stick in a steel pan. It's soldering. It won't stick (or solder) to aluminum.

Ah, lesson learned. Thanks!

wheelgun28 · Apr 21, 2013

It stuck because it was to clean and was able to touch the bare metal.

New or very clean things need a coating so it wont stick. I was shown to candle new items.

Use a good size plain candle, light it. Place the item just above the flame, often a wisp of smoke comes off a candle.

This will put a layer on the metal and things wont stick.

Some folks buy Gulf Wax and rub it in.

We used to candle all new stuff, molds too.

It along the lines of seasoning a new cast iron frying pan

scwv67 · Apr 21, 2013

I'll try that when I get them out. Would leaving them outside to rust work also?

Thanks

wrench · Apr 21, 2013

Not laughing here, I did the EXACT same thing the first time I smelted lead.
I beat one one tin till the ingots came out, ruined the tin, but darn it, I got them out.
Second one, I heated up with a torch and they popped out.
Leave them outside to rust, or try smoking them as described.
Now I've got a decent assortment of Lyman and Lee ingot molds, I don't use muffin tins anymore.

venomballistics · Apr 21, 2013

scwv67 said:
I'll try that when I get them out. Would leaving them outside to rust work also?

Thanks

carbon is your friend
hold it over a candle and let the black build up on them.
a light coat of cooking spray and put it to work.
when they get a little sticky .. do it again.

arizona98tj · Apr 21, 2013

Eeryone knows you have to use PAM in your muffin pan.

That being said, I've used a 4 bar Lyman ingot mold for many, many, decades. Buy one, don't every worry about buying another.

Nframecollector · Apr 21, 2013

Bullet moulds are made of iron. I get my muffin pans at the dollar store. Go to flea markets and buy some cheap cast iron muffin pans too! Lead wont stick to them either.

fredj338 · Apr 21, 2013

scwv67 said:
I was beginning to suspect, buy why is steel no good? It seems aluminum ones are not as common where I shop, including the kitchen, as they all attract a magnet.

Thanks.

Are you sure they are steel & not tin? I hear stuck stories all the time on ingots. Use alumn, or cast iron, no issues. Cheapest ingot molds you can get, cast iron corn bread pans. If you weld or have access to a person that does, a chunk of small steel channel & you have as many ingot molds as you like. Wet them & leave them outside until they rust & don't clean them, no problems.

Jayhawkhuntclub · Apr 30, 2013

I would put them in the freezer for a couple hours (after they cooled of course). Then take them out and give them a few taps.

Frank237 · Apr 30, 2013

WHY I like CAST IRON muffin pans. 5# ingots...and they easily fall out when the ingots are cool.

"Right Tool for the Job" stuff. Cheap isn't always the most efficient way to go.

scwv67 · Apr 30, 2013

The muffin cups are tin plated, even when heating with a torch, the ingots stayed put. It's been raining a lot lately so I haven't been able to fire up the smelting pot.

Tomorrow is supposed to be nice so I will just throw them in the pot with some more lead I have to smelt. That will get the ingots out and take care of the tin coating to boot.

First smelt-ingots stuck in mold, go ahead and laugh

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