so, i skim off the jackets and debris. Later, when I feel like it, i sift the jackets and debris to get rid of the sand, etc. Then I spread out the jackets and go over them with a magnet to get all the steel out. then I take a bucket or two to the scrap yard and they pay me the price of 'Yellow brass" which has been in the neighborhood of $1.13. I'll usually leave the scrap yard with about $125. Makes me feel good, too, that all that copper isn't going to the landfill.

Now, i see the point of quenching to make them easier to handle faster, but the hardness issue is debated as having and viable benefit and doing it at the ingot stage seems pointless as you're just going to have to melt it back down again to actually cast the bullets later on. 🤷🏻‍♂️

@jacobwilbert1018

Жыл бұрын

This is an old video but i wondered how many comments would address that. Some folks really make you scratch your head. Okkkkkk 😀

This is the ULTIMATE prepper video. Great job guys.

nice video. I get about 120lbs of lead wheel weights from my tire shop guys every couple of months and smelt them down, yet I never get sick of watching other guys do the same thing! Scrap them jackets, then your powder and primers will be free too :)

Whats up with those toe socks..Haha Good vid

Nice return on your effort! and thank you for warning folks about the inherint dangers of breathing lead at any stage of reclamation and smelting and to shower and wash clothes afterward's...you really have to appreciate how dangerous this stuff really is, for many year's I was doing this and paid the price. I still do, but am much more careful while doing so!.......it can be very rewarding and safe as long as we practice safety at all stage's....... to cast and reclaim lead for our hobby as long as we know the reality of the danger!........Thank You for the great video........ and KEEP ON ROCKING IT!.......DKH TACTICAL.......

Who says that shooters don't do their part to help the environment? Not only do you say a bunch of money, you recycle. And you help to prevent all of that lead from getting into the water table, stopping the range from eventually being a toxic waste site. Well done!

@dkhanlin1

7 жыл бұрын

I think your take on his comment is "backwards"... He did not say that "shooters are good for the environment"... His statement was that some shooters (who reclaim range lead) -- do their part to help the environment... I am pretty certain that the point he was making is that "reclaiming range lead and recycling it" is helpful -- and saves the reloader money at the same time...

@MrSister127

7 жыл бұрын

DKH TACTICAL you're right, I digress, I read the 'you' not as a second person pronoun referring to the cteator of this video, but as an indefinite pronoun referring to 'shooters in general.' My bad.

@XtreeM_FaiL

6 жыл бұрын

AttackGypsy That does nothing to the enviroment, infact when they melt it in open air it release a lot of toxic. They do it to save money. Recycling companies are the ones who do the cleaning.

@ADebbil

6 жыл бұрын

Except for the part where he contaminated his back yard with lead by washing it with a hose.

@Toolness1

6 жыл бұрын

He's melting it below the vapor temperature, so you're full of shit. It's not releasing "a lot of toxic"

Looks so cool when it has that mirror clean look. I may have to do this one day.

To any new or inexperienced melters. Do NOT introduce any reclaimed lead or scrape pieces into your molten lead pot that are not completely dry!! A drop of water on a bullet or old wheel weight and your molten lead WILL explode in your face. Be advised and have fun.

Wow! Great haul! You did more in that one haul than I've done in three! I would love to see your sifting method. I haven't had much luck sifting at my range.

@dkhanlin1

9 жыл бұрын

CountryBoyPrepper Not sure my sifting method is much different from yours. Homemade sifter made out of 2" x 4"s and some 1/4" Hardware Cloth (Chicken Wire). If you ever find yourself coming down to Central Florida -- give me a shout, and you can come with us!

@dkhanlin1

9 жыл бұрын

DKH TACTICAL I think I am just having better luck with the Range I am going to. It's been around for a long, long time - and I don't think anyone else has done much recovery at it. (Hope it stays that way -- LOL). Just watched your Lead Recovery Video --- and we must have got the Sifter Idea from the same place... My sifters look pretty much just like yours!

@CountryBoyPrepper

9 жыл бұрын

DKH TACTICAL I may do that one day. Thanks!

First, Thank You for serving brother. I did 10 years Army Aviation. Thanks for your vid. Just getting into shotguns and have decided to reload. Doing a lot of reading and watching on the handling, smelting and molding of lead. A lot to consider, specially when it comes to safety. Thanks again.

@dkhanlin1

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks to you as well! If you are just getting into reloading -- you are likely to find yourself with a new hobby that you will love nearly as much as shooting! I reload both Metallic and Shotshell, but for Shotshell -- I only do 12 and 20 Gauge, and only Buckshot and Slugs. I have been wanting to do some reloading videos, but just have not made the time. If you are looking for some REALLY good 12 and 20 Gauge Buckshot and Slug loads -- I would be more than happy to share some data with you...

@aeroscout8409

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the data offer. I'm not going to do that much spare-ramenting with loads. I'm a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it guy." Starting to get my reloading orders in. Got the Lee Press today and should be getting 7/8oz molds, Lee smelting pot, Hammerhead slugs, wads and primer in-Cheddite hulls by Friday. Already have Blue and Red Dot powder from reloading 9mm and 40/45 Cal. Next is find some scrap lead and get ta smelting... Got a list of reload items once I go threw the Hammerheads. Funny thing is after a day or two of Youtubing and internet serching, I'm talking the talk of a shotgun reloader that knows just enough to get myself in trouble. I do have a question though. Of the hulls you reload, what do you consider good, better, best for reloading?

The only important thing I would change is re-enforcing those wood tables with cross braces! Maybe replace them with wrought iron patio tables. Your source of lead was sweet!

Wow! Great operation!

CBP sent me. Will be watching and thanks for sharing your knowledge.

@dkhanlin1

9 жыл бұрын

OrangeJeepDad Thanks.. And Thanks to CBP! He is good people!! I'm quite the NOVICE compared to most on here -- but I sure do enjoy it.

@OrangeJeepDad

9 жыл бұрын

Always willing to help if you have questions. Your intro is very impressive. What did you use to create it?

@dkhanlin1

9 жыл бұрын

OrangeJeepDad I used a combination of things. PowerPoint in Animation Mode with Transitions - and added the Explosions and Bullet Holes with the Sound Effects, and then I used Adobe Premiere Elements to put it together.

Fascinating, very nice video👍

Am I weird to say your voice is very soothing with the echo in the backround

You've got some fine reserves of lead - beautiful ingots - Congratulations to you !! Stay well, and good shootin' to ya....

@dkhanlin1

9 жыл бұрын

FortuneCookie45LC Thank you sir! We were definitely pleased with this last clean up --- not only for the amount that we were able to yield, but the quality as well. Should make for some really nice cast bullets!

@FortuneCookie45LC

9 жыл бұрын

DKH TACTICAL That sure is a whole lot better than for us to ship all that range scrap overseas, have them smelt it into really big ingots and then sell it back to us that way or in car batteries. You've liberated it... Will look forward to your bullet casting videos... Best to ya

Great vid.........thank you so much.

I learned a lot from your video

No matter how many times I do it, it's always magical to watch someone else do it. Nice video.

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

Thank you sir! It was a good haul - but I have made some modifications and refinements to our collection process, and we are getting geared up for another run this coming weekend. Built a 2-Man Sifter which will be used on top of two specially made Saw Horses. Will completely alleviate the back breaking work of the sifters I made for our previous trip. They work well - but are still a lot of work. The new method should be incredibly smooth, with very little effort, and should drastically decrease the amount of time involved. Anticipating over 1000 lbs on this next haul. I plan to do another video as well.

@vinceruland9236

8 жыл бұрын

+DKH TACTICAL that's going to be nice man. Looking forward to the video. The most I've ever got at one time was 70+ lbs.

@Invisiblejihadi

8 жыл бұрын

That's what I think about porn

love it keep up the videos!!

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Planning another haul here in the near future - so there will definitely be another video coming. Next haul should end up well over 1000 lbs with the new sifting method we have come up with!

Nice video. Do you go through the bullets and look for the FMJ ones that didn’t split open? Or do you not care and claim the lead you can get?

Thanks

very nice!

Great video 👍 I see that you quench the ingots in water do you quench again when you’re casting bullets

Do you do anything with the full metal jacket bullets that are not scored enough for the lead to melt out? I usually sort through mine before melting and cut jackets. Any advise would be helpful!

awsome video that lead stash is a treasure trove as good as gold!!

@dkhanlin1

9 жыл бұрын

angelo soriano Thanks! It was a pretty good haul, and the ingots came out great --- very clean!

@leadbullets4life

9 жыл бұрын

it appears your an old salty sailor too!!i was separated in 84 from the uss wabash out of alameda ca

@marwahisham660

9 жыл бұрын

+angelo soriano (lead bullets for life) kindly, send to name of flux

@leadbullets4life

9 жыл бұрын

candle wax or wood shavings and saw dust works as well.

@dkhanlin1

9 жыл бұрын

Mohamed Aziz I bought that tube of FLUX a couple of years ago, and have not been able to find it since -- but you can use Candle Wax, straight Paraffin Wax, or Saw Dust... Saw Dust works extremely well.

great job. those Ingot molds are not cheap

Country Boy Prepper, sent me over. Nice vid can't wait to see the rest

@dkhanlin1

9 жыл бұрын

Joseph Gauthier Thanks Joseph. I ended up using a few pounds this weekend of that lead we just reclaimed, and did some casting with a new 6 cavity 158 Grain .357 mold. Bullets came out great, and I used a new process of Powder Coating them --- instead of Tumble Lubing or Pan Lubing. They came out nice! I will definitely be doing a Powder Coating video soon!

@Mojo522

9 жыл бұрын

Sweet, can't wait

What do you do with the water that you wash them with? I have a well so I don’t want to dump it on the ground?

This video is Awesome! First time i saw flux? I need to learn more, also, if there is no range, where else could I get scrap lead? Thank you :)

what is the gold colored layer on the lead you can see, I recently had this appear on my first attempt making up some ingots not sure if i should be trying to get rid of that or flux it and mix into my lead again any help would be great

Is the resulting alloy from melting copper jackets into the lead still useful for bullets? What is this alloy called and what're it's properties?

All those lead ingots lead me to believe you have a primer guy you know those things that have become ultra rare😅😂🤣💯

a little trick for drying it would be to take 2x4s and small chicken wire and make basically shaker screens. Then just stack them up with 1 inch spacers (can be cut from 2x4s) to set between the racks for airflow. That way you get air going from all sides (pretty much) instead of just from above. You also take up less room stacking it vertically instead of all over the patio. Also leave the last 1/8 to 1/4 inch of lead in your pot when you are done melting. It will melt quicker after already having been melted and you should find that it will allow you to melt your scrap quicker having a puddle already in the pot.

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

OtisENGINEuity -- great idea. My wife would definitely appreciate me taking up less space and creating less mess on the back patio... Great suggestion about leaving some lead in the bottom of the pot! Thanks!!

@OtisENGINEuity

8 жыл бұрын

DKH TACTICAL no problem, I learned that first hand when I brought stuff home after my grandpa died and started making weights. I noticed that if I left a bit in the pot it'd word easier.. same deal. I'd love to do this myself especially with California going psycho about lead but unfortunately I have scoliosis that has made itself seriously known since I turned 30.. Threw my back out just bending over to pick green beans and took 2 weeks before I could do anything again.. BTW, as the son of a retired Air Force MSgt, thanks for your service. I'd be in the Army right now if it wasn't for my stupid back.

What is the substance poured in? What's the role? Thank!

How do you get the range to let you collect the range lead?

Hey mate, great vid.! I'm totally new to this, so I have to ask--Does the 'Range' allow you to just scavenge this up, or is it your own range? Also, that's a great respirator that lets us hear you so clear that we'd almost think you didn't have it on---Har! Gb bg

@dkhanlin1

5 жыл бұрын

Yes --- and Yes..

Can roofing lead be used for the same purpose?

How much work goes into taking it from ingots to bullets/shot

How many 1lb ingots can you get from a full propane tank?

For the future you don't need to weigh each bucket to find out the total weight. Since you have 128 half pound ingots you have 64 pounds of lead in half-pound ingots, and you have 286 pounds of lead in whole pound ingots. Add 64 and 286 and you get 350. The extra pound you had might have been from the buckets, might have been an extra ingot that didn't get counted - I know I'd tire of it after about 50.

Awesome Don! Lead is getting harder to find... Most of my contacts have already dried up. Get it while you can!

@dkhanlin1

9 жыл бұрын

Bubba Rountree Outdoors Thanks Wade. I definitely plan to increase my stockpile!

@davidduncan3659

5 жыл бұрын

The places I have contacted have people that pick up the spent ammo

What do you do of the fully jacketed ? I know that some people split them in half so that lead can flow out, but heh, I'm not sure I want to examinate each bullet one by one. Or do you examinate the jackets you retrieved from the dross bucket ?

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

+zebracherub We generally do not mess with the fully jacketed bullets since we take in enough without having to bother with them. Too much trouble for the little amount of lead we would recover. They are scraped of with the rest of the jackets and debris.

How do yall know the hardness of your ingets

what is the thing you put your blue color on?

FASCINATING :-)

Yoga socks for the win. Also nice yield.

Great video can you use range scrap for slugs or is it to hard or is it softer than wheel weight thanks

@dkhanlin1

9 жыл бұрын

ocean374 I will definitely defer to anyone who is smarter on this topic - or has more experience than I do, but Range Lead is going to be a MIX of different types of Lead. Since I am reclaiming bullets of all types, it will include some Cast Bullets that people might have used Wheel Weights in their mix, and bullets from people who might have reclaimed Lead from Batteries, Dental Offices, Keels from Sailboats ---- the list goes on and on... So the amount of Antimony (percentage) that you might have with reclaimed Range Lead can definitely vary! I personally use the Reclaimed Range Lead for all my bullets, buckshot and slugs, but if you are looking for specific softness for your slugs (so they will expand/mushroom better), then you are definitely better off with pure lead -- or as close to it as you can get.

@AusiKifaru27

9 жыл бұрын

The only reason commercial shotgun slugs are pure lead is liability. You can fire them just fine through a full choke, but hard cast lead can only be fired through a cylinder choked barrel. I've made many hard cast lead slugs and they shoot just as well. As for pure lead being softer for expansion, it's a pretty mute point when punching a .729 calibre hole through something.

What is the peace of blue clour

Why not cut the jackets for the lead? Also been watching a lot of some of the others have not seen a finished product quite as CLEAN. The better wax for Flux? Pre Wash? Well I have been kicking around What molds I`ll end probably one Lee one Lyman . Lees got 2 half pound which will be good for small batch pistol ammo.

Literally the only thing your process has that’s better than mine (see ‘Copper And Lead Recovery From Old Bullets’ video, which is about to be revised with an even better melter) is the way you mold the ingots. I currently use muffin and pie pans. 😄 Every time I see one of the many videos showing bullets being melted in skillets and pots just open to the environment with NO insulation to save energy cost and decrease melting time, and no containment against the occasional and sudden eruption from trapped gas or trapped moisture, I just want to jump right out of my skin! 😬😄! But what do I know, having recovered only around 5,000 pounds of bullets so far (all from “open range” and BLM areas)? 🤓

@PauIieWalnuts

Жыл бұрын

3 years and no likes. No one likes a bragger

What were you using for Flux?

Those little DIY tables are a great idea.

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

+Nick Musuraca Yes - after doing this a few times, we keep seeing ways to improve the process, and the need for some type of tables at an appropriate height was on of the first things we noticed. Each time we do this, we see areas for improvement and for efficiency. We started out with only 1 Burner, and only 2 Ingot Molds. We quickly figured out that we were wasting precious time, and burning through more propane by only having 1 burner and 2 Ingot Molds. Getting the right utensils was also something we didn't have to begin with. The Tempura Scoops for removing the Jackets, and the Ladles for pouring the Ingots were also added after our 1st endeavor. We are by no means "Experts" --- but I think we are getting better each time we do it!

Now what? Do you sell those ingots?

Why wash it first? Won't the smelting separate the dirt from lead?

@bullseyenow1

7 жыл бұрын

Yea I kind of thought it was a waste of time to wash it.

@RyeOnHam

7 жыл бұрын

I rinse wheel weights before I sort them so I can better discern if they are steel, zinc, or lead. Makes the visual part of the sorting go quicker. After I'm done sorting, I let them dry for a few weeks. For range scrap, I just toss all of it in. Dust, dirt, rocks, sand, etc. It all floats on lead and is MUCH easier to skim off than rinse off.

@dkhanlin1

7 жыл бұрын

Yes - the debris will float to the top, but you end up with wayyyyyy less mess by taking a little extra time on the front end... I was not in any rush. If taking the extra time is not your thing --- and/or you don't have the time (or patience), feel free to just dump it all in the melting pot and get jiggy with it...

@patrickradcliffe3837

6 жыл бұрын

asleepinthealley better efficiency by not heating a bunch of extra stuff dirt and rocks and such.

@raymondcote6669

5 жыл бұрын

Everything will float. Then skim Anything else is wasted time.

where did you get your things to pour the melted lead into from that forms the ingots? can those same molds or ingot casting things be used for copper or aluminum or brass?

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

If you are referring to the Lyman 1lb Ingot Molds - I got them from Amazon. Here is the link: www.amazon.com/Lyman-2837794-Lead-Ingot-Mould/dp/B001GXHM4W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470013424&sr=8-1&keywords=lyman+ingot+mold

@rayfalcon777

8 жыл бұрын

+DKH TACTICAL yes and thank you very much my new found friend

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome! I have refined my Lead Retrieval Process. My son and I are planning another trip - probably in September. Should be a minimum 1000 to 1200 lb haul.

@rayfalcon777

8 жыл бұрын

DKH TACTICAL wow thats going to be a great haul if you can pull it off btw alot of the automotive stores most likely have old battery post and terminals and such easy way to get goot grade already sorted lead.... without gravels live ammo maybe occasionally you'll get a rusty stuck steel bolt but nothing too dangerous

@rayfalcon777

8 жыл бұрын

Another source would be junk yards or at yard sells though yard sells could take a while but look for batteries, posts terminals and old hand tools like drills saws alot of them had lead castings the ones today have steel, aluminum and plastic castings or body's/ handles

DKH.. Welcome to the lead smelting and casting addiction! I always like to see a fellow caster in action. I found your channel through CBP and am now subbed! Some pointers for you from a long time lead hound & caster: 1) Your safety gear looks good except for your son wearing shorts and tennis shoes. Heavy cotton jeans and boots work well. I have done the spilled hot lead dance and was so glad I was all safey-ed up. I even wear a welders apron. 2) You don't need to wash your lead. It can leave water trapped in the lead (ask me how I know) even after sitting for a long time. Also.. any dirt, grime, coating, grease, or debris, will burn off with the melt and can be scooped off the top. 3) Fluxing.. It looked like candle wax that you used to flux the melt. Wax is not a flux. It can only reduce the tin & antimnoy back into the melt that may be lost through oxidation. It also creates surface tension & prevents surface oxidation. Use sawdust instead.. go to Walmart and buy a bag of pine pet bedding. Saw dust reduces, prevents oxidation, and cleans your lead. Wax will Not clean your lead. Fill your pot with the scrap, add in a tennis ball size pinch of the sawdust to the pile and put the heat to it. You will also find that when you are scooping the junk that the lead doesn't stick to the debris. You can flux multiple times with sawdust if you like, and every time you add new scrap. One last thing.. make sure that you scrape the bottom and sides of your pot. Dirt can actually become trapped under the lead and you don't want that in you bullets. 4) Water dropping your ingots will only add a small amount of surface hardening to them, which will be lost when you remelt the ingots to make bullets. WD does cool them faster though. If you want harder bullets.. WD them. I find that most of the range scrap that I deal with comes in at about 12 bhn which is similar to wheel weights. If you have any questions I am always happy to help. In all.. I enjoyed watching your video.. Thanks Shad

@dkhanlin1

9 жыл бұрын

shadowcastre Thanks for your comments... I definitely agree on all SAFETY pointers... My son started out with Jeans, as I insisted on it -- but then changed as the morning turned to afternoon and it got hot. I'm not as strict with him as I was when he was a teenager! Now that he is 24 and a grown man - he has his own way! Even when you are as careful as you can possibly be - accidents can still happen, and I will insist on jeans throughout the process from now on! As for what you said looks like candle wax -- it is actually FLUX, that I purchased in a 6 inch long, 1 inch diameter roll. Looks like wax - but it is actually FLUX. We have also incorporated sawdust into our fluxing as well. I do a lot of woodworking, and have plenty on hand. Thanks for the info on Water Dropping of the ingots. I understand that any hardness may be lost when the ingots are re-melted in the bottom pour pot - but as you mentioned, I also Water Drop my bullets as well. Love it when I get feedback from other KZreadrs! I enjoy any comments that will help me improve my processes. Thanks again - and Happy Casting!!

@Vfh........y

6 жыл бұрын

shadowcastre ....great info......I hound as well.

@jacobwilliams2089

6 жыл бұрын

I have a question, I have about a 6 quart pot outside melting right now on a turkey fryer, and it even has a lid. I filled the thing nearly to the top but it's been burning on full blast for about 3 hours and is only halfway melted (sigh) what am I doing wrong or what can I do to speed up the melting process?

@rogerolsson7303

3 жыл бұрын

@@jacobwilliams2089 I had the same problem. The flames from your fryer are probably yellow/red. That means the temp is on the low side. Make the flames more BLUE by adjusting how much air the fryer get. More air = more blue = more heat.

@jacobwilliams2089

3 жыл бұрын

@@rogerolsson7303 I think most of it just wasn't lead and I didn't know

Why does nobody put a LID on the pans to keep the heat inside making the melting process a LOT faster?

Quick question, what purpose does the flux serve?

@phoff5850

7 жыл бұрын

Kyle Bryant it removes impurities from the lead

@zanpekosak2383

6 жыл бұрын

Cleaning the lead making it easier to pour.

@GL07nayito

6 жыл бұрын

Have you tried flour? It even gives it a nice color

@DavidHarris-qn7em

6 жыл бұрын

Kyle Bryant ...flux bonds and seperates impurities out of the lead base metal

@rizzocalrizzian6047

5 жыл бұрын

What do you use for flux?

How do you know when the lead is set enough to turn them out of the moulds?

@dkhanlin1

5 жыл бұрын

It literally only takes a few seconds for the molten lead to solidify so you can dump them out of the molds. There is no need to "Water Quench" -- as I said in the video. We were just dumping them in the bucket of water to cool them down faster so we could more easily handle them...

can you please tell more on how you flux in

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

+Robert Johnson - Fluxing can be done several different ways. You can use paraffin wax, candles, even crayons. Saw dust works extremely well, but generates much more smoke than the others. Fluxing is the last step in cleaning your Lead before pouring into ingots. Once you have removed all jackets and debris, add the flux and give your pot a good stir. The flux aids in drawing out any remaining impurities to the surface so they can be skimmed off.

What process do you use to reclaim the rounds from the berm?

@revolution5547

4 жыл бұрын

Picking em up

How do you come about getting the spent ammo? Every place I have spoken to has either a cleaning crew that gets them. Or the metal company buys them.Is

@JaredHempfield

4 жыл бұрын

Outdoor dirt ranges, I built a 20" x 30" wood frame with 1/4 inch hardware cloth between the 2x2 wood and screwed cedar fence board around the sides centered so you can grab it and holds it together. Scoop a few shovel fulls from the berm and shake, get about 50 pounds in a half hour

You reclaim the copper as well?

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

Not yet... But definitely will be doing so on the next run! Plan on a minimum 1000 lbs on the next haul...

Wow that's a lot..

Not bad. That's only 15,550 rounds of 158grain .38cal bullets.

cool video, I really like the molds. Where did you order them from

@dkhanlin1

6 жыл бұрын

Amazon... Here is the link: www.amazon.com/Lyman-2837794-Lead-Ingot-Mould/dp/B001GXHM4W

@dkhanlin1

5 жыл бұрын

I think I got a couple off Midway USA and a few from Ebay. They are not cheap!!

How long did it take u at the range to collect this amount of lead?

@JohnDoeEagle1

Жыл бұрын

You are doing really good if you can gross 100 pounds every hour or hour and a half DIGGING and SIFTING them out of a dirt backstop. Not like a indoor range running through a strawberry patch where every shovel is a keeper. Ok, so say you are lazy and one of these sorry excuses who feels their time is worth so much money (usually very overestimated). Good USABLE bullet lead is worth $2.50 - $3.50 per pound now. Do the math and you will come out way ahead of the game.

Clumsy people don't watch this video. DKH; Thanks for the video.

just checking the gas mask your son uses is rated for lead fumes, right? I knew someone who cast their own bullets wearing a respirator rated for paint vapors and dust. He had to go to the hospital for lead poisoning

It must have been a labor of love going from the towels to the skillet. Or do you have a secret ?

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

+Nick Musuraca Not sure I understand your question?

@sicesp

8 жыл бұрын

+DKH TACTICAL sounds like he is saying moving the batches from towel to skillet is really super tedious; any trick to make it easier or just like that?

I work with lead. I do this every day.

@AnimeHumanCoherence

3 жыл бұрын

Rip health

Nice! But why to waterquench when you anyway will melt the ingots to make bullets later?

@dkhanlin1

6 жыл бұрын

True... It was more to just cool them off so we could move them and get them out of the way. I do water-quench when casting -- so calling this a "water-quench" at that point was not necessarily for "hardening" -- and more so just get them cooled off and out of the way!

@dkhanlin1

5 жыл бұрын

My comment about Water Quenching was premature. We were just dropping the ingots into the buckets of water to cool them down to make them easier to handle/maneuver. Obviously, we Water Quench the bullets when casting..

Even if your estimate was above the yield that's still a lot of lead to work with, congrats on your haul from the range.

Is it normal for lead to turn a gold-ish yellow on top that slowly turns dark? I've been melting wheel weights and the lead started to get a yellow skin that won't stop coming out, no matter how much I remove.

@dkhanlin1

6 жыл бұрын

Yes -- at least from my experience... When melting the lead down - getting ready to pour into ingots, and when I am melting the ingots in my Bottom Pour Pot, I get the same Gold/Bronze-ish Sheen on the top. Not sure about the reason. Could be impurities still in the lead - coming to the top.

@dkhanlin1

5 жыл бұрын

Try keeping your heat between 700 -900 degrees. Other than that that, not sure why you are getting so much of the yellowish skim. I have also started using sawdust for fluxing.

What is the flux you putting in there?? Looks like wax..

Did you tare the bucket for an actual weight ... also what pots are you using to melt in...?

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

+gerry kline Not sure what you are asking with the question of "Actual Weight"... The scale we are using in the video is a pretty decent bathroom scale - so it's not going to be 100% accurate, but it's close enough for my purposes. The pots are "Cast Iron". One is a really big skillet, and the other is like a Dutch Oven Pot.

@gerrykline744

8 жыл бұрын

Tearing means the bucket has weight which is not LEAD thus you set the bucket on the scale hit the tare button and set it to "0" then add your lead weight. Getting the EXACT weight of JUST THE LEAD!

Why do you clean the scrap when you can just skim the dirt off the molten lead during melting?

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

+Grant Richter It saves on the amount of cleanup required from skimming. I agree that it is not 100% necessary -- but it's just the way we prefer to do it. To each his/her own!!

+DKH TACTICAL, do you ever sell the lead ingots to others? if so, what do you charge? I'd be interested in purchasing

@dkhanlin1

7 жыл бұрын

Robert - I have done so in the past -- and will likely be selling some after my next haul, which should be within the next 30 days. I charge $2.00 per lb. + shipping. Let me know if you are interested, and send me your e-mail address and I will let you know when I have ingots for sale.

350lbs = 158kg...the current uk rate for scrap July 2016 here in UK is 50p per kg so this yield is worth approx £80 sterling scrap...@July 2016 prices. So I guess when you have purchased all the gear to smelt it...and have some free time over a weekend you can start to make a small profit after the 2nd / 3rd batch... You should be looking to claim 1000lb of scrap before smelting to make a clear £150 profit after.

@SeanHendy

8 жыл бұрын

Which in my mind makes this not really worth the effort to process it. £80 for how many days work? Split how many ways? Less costs? McDonalds pay £6.17 an hour to put this into context, thus = 13 hrs.

@jyeunplugged1

8 жыл бұрын

+Sean Hendy exactly 👍🏼 I don't know how much bullets are to buy....but I'm sure in USA they are cheap as chips...not worth the hassle doing this.

@emilahlstrand2672

8 жыл бұрын

But what's the cost of buying lead for making bullets?

@SeanHendy

8 жыл бұрын

+Emil Ahlstrand from what I found, the market price is $1.80 a kilo.

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

To put this in perspective -- standard FJM 9mm bullets run about .08 to .10 cents a piece if you buy them in bulk. So if I reload 1000 standard FMJ's -- the bullets alone will cost me around $100.00 (with shipping). I can make 1000 Lead Cast 125 grain Round Nose Bullets from 18 lbs of Lead, or 6000 Lead Cast 125 grain Round Nose Bullets from 108 lbs of Lead. So - that 108 lbs of lead is actually worth around $600.00 to me, when I compare it to standard 125 grain FMJ bullets that I can buy for reloading. So --- Yeah.... I think its worth it!

not pure leads its white in color pure lead is nice and shinny nice video good job pure lead is hard to find with out tin in it

Which flux you are adding to purify lead

@dkhanlin1

5 жыл бұрын

I bought some from Ballistic Products, but after a bit more research (you know most of this is all trial and error), we ended up using sawdust, and it works awesome...

can you us how got them form the range

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

+Robert Johnson I don't have a video for that at the moment - but its actually pretty easy. I made sifting boxes using 2"x4"s -- approximately 2 feet long, by 1 foot wide and attached chicken wire to the bottom with a staple gun. The Chicken wire is perfect to catch anything above the size of a 22 round. You can even put handles on both ends for a better grip. Just dump a few shove fulls of dirt from the mound into the sifter -- give it a few shakes, and all you should have once the dirt and sand has sifted through is bullets and debris. Pick out most of the debris, and dump the bullets into a bucket. Repeat the process until you have enough to your liking...

So how much did you end up making off of this run? I know it was a while ago now, but still curious. Thinking about getting into this and would like to know if it's worth it all.

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

I sold about 100 lbs at $2.00/lb, which bought some new reloading dies and some other reloading components, but I do a lot of casting (Slugs, Buckshot, and a wide range of various hand gun calibers), so I go through a lot of lead just by myself. I still have well over 100 lbs left, but we will be doing another run around October - after it cools off. We have refined our sifting process, and plan to recover well over 1,000 lbs on the next run.

@jhondoe8728

8 жыл бұрын

DKH TACTICAL Thanks for the reply. That's seems like some pretty good cash. I may just get into it! Also, can't wait to watch the videos you make about it, 1,000 pounds will be crazy. Thanks again!

@NorthernScrub

8 жыл бұрын

How long does it take to refine that much? Reckon it could be an income on its own?

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

Not counting the time it took to rinse it and let it dry --- just the process of melting 555 lbs down, cleaning the lead, and pouring into ingots was about 6 hours worth of work. We had 2 burners going, with 1 Cast Iron Dutch Oven and 1 Cast Iron Skillet. We will definitely be investing in another 5 quart Dutch Oven before the next haul, and I may purchase a few more 1 lb. Lyman Molds. A 4th person would also help tremendously. It is quite a bit of work - but other than the cost of propane and man hours - its basically free. The amount of lead retrieved has more than paid for the propane we used, and paid for the the molds and cast iron pots - and other utensils. This next run will be pure profit.

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

Plus - this time, with the huge haul we are planning on bringing back, we will also be salvaging the jackets to sell for scrap. Since we had 200 lbs of it from the last trip - I would guess we will probably have 500 - 600 lbs in this next trip.

N Ja klar Bleigeschosse barfuß und dann auf der Wiese super Toll

Why do you add flux?. Is it to make impurities rise to the top?.

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

+HILUX CHAINSAW Yes... In terms of Metallurgy -- Flux is a chemical cleaning agent - or purifying agent/reducing agent used to absorb impurities into what is referred to as "slag" that forms on the top of the molten lead. Some people use various types of wax (candles, paraffin wax, even crayons). Fine sawdust also works exceptionally well.

How do you separate the bullets from the stones and rocks?

@dkhanlin1

6 жыл бұрын

I made "sifters" using 2" x 4"s and Screen Mesh (Chicken Wire). The Sifters were approximately 2 feet long, by 1 foot wide, and obviously 4 inches deep. After screwing the wood pieces together in the form of a box (rectangle), I cut the screen mesh out in a section that would provide enough to fully cover the bottom, and have enough to go up about 2 inches on each side of the box, and secured the mesh to each side using a staple gun. If you are lucky enough to have access to a range that has sand, or fine dirt for the back-stop, it is a pretty easy process. Just dump a few shovel-fulls into the sifter, shake back and forth until you get all the dirt and sand to fall through, and all you will have left is bullets (and possibly some debris)... Remove as much of the debris as possible, and dump the contents into your 5 gallon bucket. Repeat until your bucket is about half full (this will be about as much weight as you will be comfortable with moving...

@dkhanlin1

6 жыл бұрын

I pick through the piles while they are drying - but all the debris floats on the top of the lead anyway, so whatever you don't pick out - you can just scoop off with the rest of the dross/debris.

7:50 I love making pizzas too!😃

@dkhanlin1

5 жыл бұрын

OK

Nice video. The one thing I didn't like was seeing bare legs with zero protection. Lead burns are terrible.

Save yourself the trouble! Stop drying out your range scrap. I just ran 200+ lbs today. I've never dried out anything. Start with a fresh batch every time. Two reasons. Firstly, adding to a partially filled pot doesn't speed things much. Second, no matter how long you dry your scrap, pockets of moisture can still be trapped in deformed bullets. I've had two kabooms working that method. No more.

i kind of want to drink it

(i know you said this isnt an instructional, and its your own person way of doing it but im suggesting something anyway) 2 simple suggestion. GLOVES when handling the lead. and safty glasses. if you get that dust into a open wound, or in to your eyes,.. man... could be a bad bad day for ya. :) be safe my friend :D And i mean during the cleaning of the lead in the bucket.. not the actual melting part. ;)

@Sgtassburgler

8 жыл бұрын

Nothing some good old chelation therapy won't fix lol.

What did you use to flux the lead? Candle wax or saw dust?

@JohnDoeEagle1

Жыл бұрын

Both and sawdust should always be first.

@1212skindog

Жыл бұрын

Thank you

@JohnDoeEagle1

Жыл бұрын

@@1212skindog You are very welcome my friend.

I know lead in Petrol and lead pipes are bad for water, so is it a good idea to be around lead fumes? No expert on this, but i'm guessing its not great for you? Apart from that, a very interesting and satisfying video to watch.

@dkhanlin1

6 жыл бұрын

TheMwnciboo -- Lead is definitely not good for you - nor are the fumes. That would be why we wear respiratory protection (as shown in the video).

@mwm1960

6 жыл бұрын

It's not lead vapor fumes (lead boils at 3,164°F). It's impurities fuming. That's not good but there is no lead vapor at melting temps.

Cool video lots of info! Oh and it's not a gas mask, it's a half face respirator 😉

what kind and how much you use

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

+Robert Johnson As I outlined in your earlier post - there are several different ways to flux. For a Cast Iron Pot that might hold 20 - 30 lbs of lead, I would recommend using the equivalent of a small votive candle if using any type of wax. If using saw dust - use 3 or 4 tablespoons. There isn't really any magic number/amount. If after you have fluxed it once - it still looks like it needs more, then do it again!

What do you do with the copper jackets?

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

+tankkiller308 After our next clean-up, we are going to try and find a place that buys scrap metal. I think we have around 150 lbs right now...

@tankkiler308

8 жыл бұрын

+DKH TACTICAL I would defiantly wait to sell copper prices are way down but I would suggest you bring some to a scrap yard and ask them if they will take it as one of these (in order from best price to lowest): bare-bright, #1 copper, #2 copper, or breakage. Also don't go to just one if its an option I've gone to two scrap yards in my town and there was a 20 cent difference for the same copper

why dry it before melting it, wouldn't the heat from the melting proc. also dry it?

@dkhanlin1

8 жыл бұрын

Any moisture at all when dealing with molten lead can be disastrous. Even a drop of sweat from your forehead when leaning over the pot can be dangerous. I don't mess around when water/moisture when melting lead. I would definitely rather spend an extra day or two (or more) just to be sure it is completely dry before proceeding with melting it down.

@XtreeM_FaiL

6 жыл бұрын

Matt Fleming Boiling off the water require a lot more heat/energy/propane=money.

@markdrinkard4150

5 жыл бұрын

Just a drop of water in the molten lead can explode it ALL out of the pot, no no no water!!!

What do you do with these ingots? Sell them? If so, for how much a pound?

@TheShowgunofHarlem

8 жыл бұрын

DrHillbillyShow right but whats an average, say today... what would he have gotten for that amount of ingots?

8 жыл бұрын

I've seen anywhere from $200 for 1000lbs of old car batteries to $1.20 per pound of lead ingots - "How much" is too broad a question. There are open quotation sites that you can google for your area and they'll vary across the country. Do a google search for 'lead prices' in your town.