Getting lead out of batteries for bullets

dgr416 · Post by **dgr416** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:52 am

I have a bunch of old batteries and wanted to know how to get the lead out safely for batteries.They are boat batteries which have more lead in them.I was told that baking soda and water will neturalize the battery acid.Lead is pretty high these days and old boat batteries are pretty cheap.Its worth trying I think.

Scott64A · Post by **Scott64A** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:05 am

hmmmm...

Yep, good old sodium bicarb, (baking soda, or HCO3,) should do the trick.

Dump the acid/water into a bucket, dilute with water, and then dump a half a box of baking soda in it.

Test for acidity.

Do this outside, btw.

Then rinse out your empty batteries with some clean water and sodium bicarb before you rip them apart to get the lead.
Don't let your neighbors see you defiling a pile of batteries in your yard though!

SmokeEater2 · Post by **SmokeEater2** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:08 am

Several reloading books that I have say that it's not worth doing from a safety standpoint.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:10 am

Those reloading manuals were written when lead was cheap. 'Taint cheep no more.

Edited to add: I just read JimT's sticky post at the top. Batteries can't be cheep enough to cancel the risks. Recycle 'em and the use the money to buy wheel weights.

Joe

mac45 · Post by **mac45** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:30 am

I could be remembering this wrong, but I thought the reason they said not to use car batteries was cadmium.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:33 pm

I've done it before. You'll be better off to sell the batteries and buy your lead.

Rusty <><

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:38 pm

This was a good idea and commonly done back in the 1930's during the Great Depression when there was no money for bullets, if you look through copies of the American Rifleman from that era you will find references to it.

It is NOT a good idea now, regardless of the price of lead. There are too many additional toxic chemicals in the lead in modern batteries to make salvaging it safe for any hobbyist. Very deadly fumes can be expected and you risk your health in a big way. Please dont try it.

http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletAlloy.htm

http://home.earthlink.net/~potomac008/Lead%20Alloys.htm

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/inde ... 00023.html

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:54 pm

I would not want to be around what comes off the top of the melt pot....that scummy powder on the lead will turn back into acid when melted no matter how much you clean it.

MikeS. · Post by **MikeS.** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:39 pm

Scott64A wrote:hmmmm...

Yep, good old sodium bicarb, (baking soda, or HCO3,) should do the trick.

Dump the acid/water into a bucket, dilute with water, and then dump a half a box of baking soda in it.

NO!

Wearing goggles and rubber gloves SLOWLY pour the battery acid into a large barrel of water. When you mix acid and water you get heat. By pouring the acid into water the water has the ability to absorb the heat. To a point. Then add your baking soda.

Bramble · Post by **Bramble** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 5:33 pm

Don't do it.

It is not the acid that is the problem. When you melt it you will release cadmium. This will, not may...rot your bones out, with small and undetectable quantities.

It just cannot be worth the risk except in bad times scenarios.

Regards

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:01 pm

There is also the danger of extremely toxic gases .. please see this post .. http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?t=2482

Don McDowell · Post by **Don McDowell** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:19 pm

dgr416 wrote:I have a bunch of old batteries and wanted to know how to get the lead out safely for batteries.They are boat batteries which have more lead in them.I was told that baking soda and water will neturalize the battery acid.Lead is pretty high these days and old boat batteries are pretty cheap.Its worth trying I think.

From experience in trying that many years ago.... TAKE THOSE darned THINGS TO THE RECYCLERS AND USE THE MONEY TO GET SOME DECENT LEAD.

dsmith512 · Post by **dsmith512** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:38 pm

Just remember when working with or moving any battery always, always where your best pair of blue jeans

gon2shoot · Post by **gon2shoot** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:27 pm

Another vote for "DONT DO IT" , it's not the best bullet metal to start with and the risks are real.
Sell em and buy alloy.

dgr416 · Post by **dgr416** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:42 pm

I had about 25 batteries so I figured thyat something could be done with them.Lead is now about .62 a pound.I usually get lead coated sheetrock or old lead plumbers lead.Its getting harder to find.I was told boat batteries that are rechargeable were different than car batteries.I guess they are not.Its getting very hard to find any lead these days.Have you priced a sack of lead shot lately.Two years ago I pain $14.95 a bag for 25 pounds.I think I bought 10 bags.I wish I had bought 25 or 30.Its $62 to $75 a bag and I cant find any #4 or #5.Buckshot is even harder to find.I also use to cast alot of muzzleloader bullets which have to have pure lead.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:54 pm

Sounds like a no brainer to me! Used batteries get at least $1 around here, so that's over 30 lbs. of lead once you turn them in. Save yourself some personal injury, plus the possiblity of contaminating your bullets, and dealing with getting rid of the acid you take out.
Just not worth the hassle and danger.

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:10 pm

DON`T DO IT !!

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:50 pm

I was just watching the show, "How it's made" on TV the other day talking about, of all things, batteries.

They mentioned at least two different caustic agents MIXED INTO THE LEAD for manufacture into batteries. ALL the workers, wore protective suits and gas masks, and for a reason.

Lead is toxic enough on it's own.

Do NOT do what you suggest. Not worth the risk to health, money is NOT the issue.

dgr416 · Post by **dgr416** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:21 am

Guess I am selling my batteries and looking for lead for bullets,I have been digging out a bunch of my old sheets of lead.

Scott64A · Post by **Scott64A** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:13 pm

OK, so they're filled with other toxic stuff...

Who knew?

dgr416 · Post by **dgr416** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:25 pm

I had acutally used some lead from old refillable batteries for jig heads for fishing.The sealed batteries lead can not escape so its always dangerous.We have used wheel weights many times to make pistol bullets many times.I always made them with a fan outside.I also used the sheets of lead and lead from sheetrock to make muzzleloader bullets.Pure uncontaminated lead is the best of all its just getting very expensive and hard as heck to find.

bigfred44 · Post by **bigfred44** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:38 pm

I would think anyone should have enough sense to not breath the fumes from melting lead be it from a battery or what ever, years ago when the epa made it to difficult for many recyclers to buy batteries we would set the batteries in a steel five gallon bucket the set in a fire then stay back in case of explosion or toxic fumes,the battery would burn up leaving molten lead and some debris in the bucket simply remove the bucket and pour into a mold then when it cools wipe the contaminants of the top and you have a clean chunk of lead.