anyone know

1chig · April 24, 2011, 03:32 PM

a buddy of mine was working on an old bridge , tearing it down and found what looks like lead pipe that has a bunch of copper wire running through it. It was burried under a stream running under the bridge. Does anyone know anything about this stuff, pure lead or something else. Thanks

Pahoo · April 24, 2011, 04:27 PM

Yes, it's old power/control cable and that is how they made it. It should be pure enough for M/L's. I have not seen any of this stuff for quite a number of years. .....

Be Safe !!!

1chig · April 24, 2011, 08:13 PM

thanks pahoo, looks like i got me some pure lead, and quite a hunk of it to

dahermit · April 24, 2011, 09:12 PM

It is called, "cable sheathing", and yes, it is pure lead. Modern cable sheathing is mild steel or plastic.

Edward429451 · April 24, 2011, 09:52 PM

You can harden it up quick for general casting purposes by adding some shot to it.

1chig · April 25, 2011, 09:16 AM

thanks guys, im going to start working on it. gotta figure out how to get all the wire out of it ????

Edward429451 · April 25, 2011, 02:45 PM

Use a hand torch to melt a cut in it.

Pahoo · April 25, 2011, 04:09 PM

I used a hand axe to split it open down it's length and then peel it open in about 18" sections. Then removed the copper. depending on the conductors, you can salvage the copper as a bonus. As I said before, this was a long time ago but I do remember that the wall was not that thick. .....

Wash your hands and;
Be Safe !!!

1chig · April 25, 2011, 09:58 PM

thanks for all the good ideas guys, i was all excited about the lead and plumb forgot about scrapping the copper

Heck yea a bonus!!

dahermit · April 26, 2011, 09:54 AM

There are two choices when it comes to separating the lead cable sheathing from the internal copper wires. You can cut the lead off (I used a hatchet), or melt the lead off. If you melt the lead, the insulation on the copper wires will burn and smoke, but the lead will separate and the copper can be lifted out of the smelting container.

April 24, 2011, 03:32 PM	#1
1chig Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2009 Location: central missouri Posts: 237	anyone know a buddy of mine was working on an old bridge , tearing it down and found what looks like lead pipe that has a bunch of copper wire running through it. It was burried under a stream running under the bridge. Does anyone know anything about this stuff, pure lead or something else. Thanks __________________ those who anger you are those who control you!!!!

April 24, 2011, 08:13 PM	#3
1chig Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2009 Location: central missouri Posts: 237	thanks pahoo, looks like i got me some pure lead, and quite a hunk of it to __________________ those who anger you are those who control you!!!!

April 24, 2011, 09:52 PM	#5
Edward429451 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,457	You can harden it up quick for general casting purposes by adding some shot to it. __________________ "Always place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark" Lazarus Long "Understand that the enemy is not the enemy in his own eyes ;this may offer you an opportunity to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate, and quickly." Lazarus Long

April 25, 2011, 09:16 AM	#6
1chig Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2009 Location: central missouri Posts: 237	thanks guys, im going to start working on it. gotta figure out how to get all the wire out of it ???? __________________ those who anger you are those who control you!!!!

April 25, 2011, 02:45 PM	#7
Edward429451 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,457	Use a hand torch to melt a cut in it. __________________ "Always place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark" Lazarus Long "Understand that the enemy is not the enemy in his own eyes ;this may offer you an opportunity to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate, and quickly." Lazarus Long

April 24, 2011, 04:27 PM	#2
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 4,395	Yes, it's old power/control cable and that is how they made it. It should be pure enough for M/L's. I have not seen any of this stuff for quite a number of years. ..... Be Safe !!!

April 24, 2011, 09:12 PM	#4
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Ohio, Indiana. Posts: 2,611	It is called, "cable sheathing", and yes, it is pure lead. Modern cable sheathing is mild steel or plastic.

April 25, 2011, 04:09 PM	#8
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 4,395	I used a hand axe to split it open down it's length and then peel it open in about 18" sections. Then removed the copper. depending on the conductors, you can salvage the copper as a bonus. As I said before, this was a long time ago but I do remember that the wall was not that thick. ..... Wash your hands and; Be Safe !!!

April 25, 2011, 09:58 PM	#9
1chig Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2009 Location: central missouri Posts: 237	thanks for all the good ideas guys, i was all excited about the lead and plumb forgot about scrapping the copper Heck yea a bonus!! __________________ those who anger you are those who control you!!!!

April 26, 2011, 09:54 AM	#10
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Ohio, Indiana. Posts: 2,611	There are two choices when it comes to separating the lead cable sheathing from the internal copper wires. You can cut the lead off (I used a hatchet), or melt the lead off. If you melt the lead, the insulation on the copper wires will burn and smoke, but the lead will separate and the copper can be lifted out of the smelting container.