Dusty Bannister
Well-Known Member
Agree with the sawzall, use a coarse long blade, wax for lube to reduce binding during the cutting.
How to identify alloy
- Thread starter glassparman
- Start date
JonB
Halcyon member
Years ago, I acquired a round farm tractor wheel weight...likely homemade...likely a mystery Lead alloy. It was round, but about 4" thick, like glassparman's block. I used a power 7.25" circle saw like Mitty recommended. I used a cheapo chinese carbide tipped blade made for wood. I made a cut about 1/2" deep, then went over it again, going a bit deeper each time. Then I flipped the weight over, and made a cut that lined up with the first cut. Then I used a maul and cold chisel...She busted right open.
Dusty Bannister
Well-Known Member
The thought of using a circle saw and having the blade bind up and jump back into my lap just bothers the heck out of me. It would take an assistant to lube the cut as you go and no stop and start again when cutting deep into the item. I realize folks have to use what is available at the time.
I picked up a counter weight from a tow motor once, looked like a big woodruff key
weight a lot, (never weighed it) my pot holds 300#, took 2 smeltings for the whole piece
used a crane to lower it into the pot, still have about 200# left, was mixing with WW 50/50, as cast 19 BHN, rang like a bell when it was in the form I started with
probably had Mono Type in it.
weight a lot, (never weighed it) my pot holds 300#, took 2 smeltings for the whole piece
used a crane to lower it into the pot, still have about 200# left, was mixing with WW 50/50, as cast 19 BHN, rang like a bell when it was in the form I started with
probably had Mono Type in it.
JonB
Halcyon member
Luckily I didn't have a binding problem.
But when cutting something that's over 100 lbs, You better have both hands on the saw.
I used candle wax as a lube. I applied wax/lube before each cut.
glassparman
"OK, OK, I'm going as fast as I don't want to go!"
I'm gonna have fun with this! Gonna feel like an old time prisoner busting rocks! LOL
That's what I use on bar tin, nice clean cut.
Bret4207
At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I've been using skil saws for decades now, both commercially and at home. I've yet to see a standard saw with enough torque to bind and "jump back into your lap". They bind all the time, especially in green lumber and they tend to just stall. Still, if you aren't comfortable with it, that's understandable.
Tomme boy
Well-Known Member
I almost cut my right thumb off with a table saw that bound up on a old square nail in some very old barn wood I was reclaiming for projects. I was using an old wheel that I should not have been using. But I was using it because I did not want to destroy a good new wheel I had because of this. I just was pushing too hard.
Bazoo
Active Member
My Porter Cable 345 will jump back at you unless you are conscience of it and prepared to resist. It's a 15A saw though.
Bazoo
Active Member
Some time back, I was given a 30 pound bar of lead. It was about 2.5"x4"x12" in size. I ended up cutting it up into chunks with a hatchet used like a cold chisel driven by a hammer. For a small piece like that it sufficed.
I first tried using my bandsaw with a wood blade, it was brutally slow, and trying to force it at all caused the blade to bind and break.
I first tried using my bandsaw with a wood blade, it was brutally slow, and trying to force it at all caused the blade to bind and break.
Bret4207
At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I'm not trying to come down on anyone, but if you're using a skillsaw you should have both hands on it and your concentration should be on the saw. But, this is like the people that have issues with chainsaws and buzzsaws and every other cutting device I can thing of. If your head isn't in the game, or if you are one of those people who just isn't a tool using animal, you're going to have problems. You're probably better off being scared to death of a saw than being over comfortable. I carry lots of saw scars and I can't fins a single one that didn't involve me having my head shoved firmly up my backside when I got hurt.
Bazoo
Active Member
I absolutely agree. I use tools for a living, and when you are not paying attention is when something happens. I've never been bit by a saw, but I have sanded the tips of a couple of fingers off using stationary sanders when I got comfortable with them.
