Can one break down 25lb lead bricks with a hammer?

[Geofois]

Happy to notice an ad for lead bricks on craigslist and they are 25lbs each. If pure lead can a steel hammer break pieces off or can it only be melted in a large pot? He's got 2000 lbs in case anyone hear can use it. I'm just starting out on casting so probably beyond my capabilities.

[TKM]

It can be divided into bite sized pieces with a chisel. Or a chainsaw if you don't like your chainsaw.

Best bet is some kind of hydraulic shear.

[hambam105]

Appears to be a good, no, a great deal!

But...Make sure this lead isn't contaminated. Seriously. I'm sure someone else here on Calguns can shed more light on the possibilities of contamination.

[hermosabeach]

Lead is pretty soft and can be busted up

Chisel is better or a sawzall if you need to use a tool

[Batman]

Use a hammer with this...

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-4-quarter-lb-axe-with-fiberglass-handle-96231.html

Hit the back of the hatchet with the hammer, and it should do short work of the lead bar.

[pacrat]

Use a hammer with this...

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-4-quarter-lb-axe-with-fiberglass-handle-96231.html

Hit the back of the hatchet with the hammer, and it should do short work of the lead bar.

NOT a good idea. The flat on the back of a pole axe [like link] or hatchet, is for driving wooden or nylon wedges or wooden stakes. Not for beating on hard surfaces.

The handle to head fitment is "ovoid" in shape. If you beat on the flat with a hard hammer. Or drive steel wedges with it. The handle quickly gets loose. Even with a fiberglass handle.

BTDT, and got my butt kicked for doing it.

Could be done with an Estwing type hatchet/axe, because the head and handle are forged from a single piece of steel. But don't suggest using a steel hammer to pound with. A deadblow or large hard rubber mallet would suffice. NEVER hit a hammer with a hammer.

A sawzall will work only of you use a course wood type blade at very slow speed. Fine tooth hacksaw type blade, loads up, quits cutting, and quickly heats up, and melts the lead into the teeth. Same for bandsaw. AGAIN - BTDT.

[middleofnowhere]

I’ve used a chisel on a piece-of RR track I have in my garage with good results.

[Cowboy T]

A 25-lb brick will easily fit into a Dutch Oven. Just use the same process that you'd use for melting down a bunch of wheel weights. Then, take a ladle and scoop the molten lead into more manageable pieces. I use a cheap muffin pan for this purpose, preferably without Teflon coating, but if that's all you can find, then a Teflon coated muffin pan also does work.

[Sandspider500]

8"x4"X2" , that would fit in my stainless pot.

[Steve45-70]

Yeah it would not take a huge pot to melt it. I have a large cast iron skillet and I have done 50 pound blocks in it.

[BIGOX]

Dutch oven is the way to go but a mallet and big chisel will cut through anything lead. Ive broke down a 900 hull with just a mallet and chisel. Testing for zinc contamination is a must. It is very complicated as well. Put a few drops of nail polish remover on a clean piece of the lead if you see any bubbles then there is zinc. Not so hard after all. Finding out what kind of lead alloy it is may be a harder job. Bring art pencils to test harness if possible.

[BIGOX]

If you hit a lead ingot with a hammer and it dose break. Then what you have is an alloy rich in tin.

[Sheldon]

If anyone curious I emailed about price and was quoted $1.50 a pound in a 500 pound quantity.

[iMigraine]

Propane torch, but you would want to catch the melted lead.

[Geofois]

If anyone curious I emailed about price and was quoted $1.50 a pound in a 500 pound quantity.

When I called for 100 lbs the quote was also $1.50.