Removing quenching oil from lead

[AndyP]

I'm doing some work that involves quenching molten lead in quenching oil, but despite washing it in boiling water and fairy liquid there still seems to be quite a residue left and a smell like paraffin.

Any ideas how to get it proper clean, hopefully without using too many noxious substances.

Thanks in advance.
Andy

 

[snowcat]

pickleing paste. nasty stuff tho, brake cleaner might have it

 

[AndyP]

pickleing paste. nasty stuff tho, brake cleaner might have it

Cheers for the reply, but I would like to use something that isn't too volatile. The oil is messy enough as it is. Something water soluble would be ideal.

ATB

 

[Drains]

swarfega, engine degreaser, washing powder and a scrubbing brush, acetone (not water soluble)

Or add a load of white sugar to your fairy liquid, and scrub.

Why the objection to volatile? surely that's good - less to clean off?

And why quenching in oil instead of water?

 

[AndyP]

swarfega, engine degreaser, washing powder and a scrubbing brush, acetone (not water soluble)

Or add a load of white sugar to your fairy liquid, and scrub.

Why the objection to volatile? surely that's good - less to clean off?

And why quenching in oil instead of water?

Quenching in oil because water cools to quickly and makes the lead turn into wire wool.
It is dropped into 3"of oil floating on water, this is enough to stop distortion.

This is what is produced, lead shot for clay pigeon shooting.

 

[Hitch]

Jizer is a good degreaser. We use it for degreasing machined parts.
http://www.h-e-d.co.uk/jizer.htm

 

[Archie]

Jizer is a good degreaser. We use it for degreasing machined parts.
http://www.h-e-d.co.uk/jizer.htm

Oh the possibilities........

 

[Sparkey]

Boiling hot water and dishwasher tabs maybe?
might do the trick... sparkey

 

[AndyP]

Boiling hot water and dishwasher tabs maybe?
might do the trick... sparkey

Y'know, I did think about putting it in the dishwasher but the missus'd kill me

 

[Sparkey]

hihi yeah, i bet she would!!
How about lemon juice?
sparks

 

[hareng]

Andy, take it these are coming from a mold in which case should pretty much be solidified before removing. I know your talking millions.
Might slow your process down considerably but i would have a look at the way pellets are made, might be something on JSB site in CZ. I know they use a release agent for every mold and could only think that some form of cooling is undertaken quickly.

Failing that warm the water up or drop the shot in to something else that dont burn and leave a residue.

Wouldnt have thought unless you are a major player it would be worthwhile, shots quite cheap to buy, although the price of lead has increased lately along with the cartridges., Its cut throat the punters would sooner travel 20 mile and save 50p a box £10/1000!

 

[AndyP]

Andy, take it these are coming from a mold in which case should pretty much be solidified before removing. I know your talking millions.
Might slow your process down considerably but i would have a look at the way pellets are made, might be something on JSB site in CZ. I know they use a release agent for every mold and could only think that some form of cooling is undertaken quickly.

Failing that warm the water up or drop the shot in to something else that dont burn and leave a residue.

Wouldnt have thought unless you are a major player it would be worthwhile, shots quite cheap to buy, although the price of lead has increased lately along with the cartridges., Its cut throat the punters would sooner travel 20 mile and save 50p a box £10/1000!

No mould, effectively dropped thru a sieve.

Shot is £40 for 10kilos to buy whereas lead is 80p, plus its fascinating to make.

ATB
Andy

 

[AndyP]

No mould, effectively dropped thru a sieve.

Shot is £40 for 10kilos to buy whereas lead is 80p, plus its fascinating to make.

ATB
Andy

Sorry that should have been 80p a kilo for lead scrap, ie a fifth of the price

 

[Drains]

Hey Andy. How high's your shot tower then? Not very, as you have to use oil....

Just another thought on acetone. You could easily wash the shot in two lots of acetone. When the first wash is too oil-laden, use what was the second wash as the first, and use new stuff for the second. Keep the containers closed and you won't lose the acetone. I guarantee it'll clean the shot with minimal effort.

Also, acetone isn't so expensive in gallon or more quantities.

 

[AndyP]

Hey Andy. How high's your shot tower then? Not very, as you have to use oil....

Just another thought on acetone. You could easily wash the shot in two lots of acetone. When the first wash is too oil-laden, use what was the second wash as the first, and use new stuff for the second. Keep the containers closed and you won't lose the acetone. I guarantee it'll clean the shot with minimal effort.

Also, acetone isn't so expensive in gallon or more quantities.

Oooh, acetone is vile

Reckon it'll have to be paraffin followed by Gunk at the minute, not ideal though.

Cheers Andy

 

[Archie]

What's wrong with acetone? Smells delicious!!

I'm just thinking aloud here, but could you not utilise the fact that the balls will have an abrasive quality against each other? I'm thinking along the lines of a fine grill above a tank coupled with some sort of lid and a pressure washer. I should have thought that if you gave them a good pressure washing they will rub against each other and the grease should be carried away in the water. Better yet if you have a mate with a steam cleaner. Obviously the trick is going to be building a container that they won't all fly out of!

If you're going to be doing this a lot and you find the pressure washer works you could always rig up a custom designed box with a nozzle that the balls pass in front of.... As I say; I'm thinking aloud!

 

[AndyP]

What's wrong with acetone? Smells delicious!!

I'm just thinking aloud here, but could you not utilise the fact that the balls will have an abrasive quality against each other? I'm thinking along the lines of a fine grill above a tank coupled with some sort of lid and a pressure washer. I should have thought that if you gave them a good pressure washing they will rub against each other and the grease should be carried away in the water. Better yet if you have a mate with a steam cleaner. Obviously the trick is going to be building a container that they won't all fly out of!

If you're going to be doing this a lot and you find the pressure washer works you could always rig up a custom designed box with a nozzle that the balls pass in front of.... As I say; I'm thinking aloud!

Ahh now, steam cleaners, that's an idea. Where do I get one of those from cheap
Maybe one the missus could use in the house aswell for cleaning, that'd justify it

 

[Archie]

Ah. Well I was thinking more along the lines of a steam cleaner for car/van cleaning. I think the Missus might not want to use one of them on the upholstery!

As for cheap, I'm not sure you'll find one terribly cheap. I suppose you could try a 'household' steam cleaner but they don't really have a pressurised stream of water to them which I would have thought you'd want to get the balls to rub against each other.

 

[Drains]

Oooh, acetone is vile

Reckon it'll have to be paraffin followed by Gunk at the minute, not ideal though.

Cheers Andy

Acetone is vile? You're mad pal.

Acetone's ok, it's non-toxic, it'll clean your shot really quick. Why use paraffin? That's vile, and it means you're just introducing another un-necessary procedure. (actually, why use paraffin, then gunk, which you then have to wash off - that's TWO un-necessary procedures. Mental)

It's up to you like, none of my business, but why make work for yourself when there's a simple solution?

 

[snowcat]

Just to side in Acetone is the standard to clean al, before welding, or a dab of brake cleaner, all other degressers leave residue which then have to be removed, and thats no good