Is there a trick to getting lead out of mold?

[NuttyGambler]

I purchased a 3 lb weight mold. But have not figured out an easy way to get the darn things out of the mold after they cool.

I tried taking them out while not completely hard, but then they crack. If I bang the heck out of the mold I can get them out, but takes like half an hour a piece and I'm not doing the mold any good.

Is there a trick to this?

Thanks?

 

[nickjb]

You could try a release agent. You can buy proper stuff or just use talc. A light dusting on the mould before you pour should help.

Are you using pure lead? Some alloys are better than others. Recycled tyre weights make good diving weights because they are a lead alloy that is a bit harder.

 

[DEEP SEA]

Whatever you do, don’t drop a hot weight in a bucket of water. I learned the hard way. To try and speed things up, I dropped a hot weight in a bucket of water and it exploded throwing hot lead and water all over the place!;-0