Melting lead

is no big deal--been there done that--

but processing a large quantity is a new experience. Some 300 lbs of lead will be needed for the Belhaven's ballast, approximated to be about half a cubic foot.

For the test, lead plates from a dismembered car battery were to be melted in a discarded cast aluminum pot and the wood fire turbocharged with a hair dryer.  Test was aborted due to equipment malfunction.

Lessons learned:
1.  Cast aluminum cannot take the heat, its bottom cracked and made the molten lead leak out.
2.  A lot of heat is wasted in an open fire, extending the meltdown time.
3.  Ingot molds are needed.