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Cutting up solid Zinc Dross

During rebuilding of our zinc pot, I have ended up with a solid piece to dross 48" wide x 180" long with thickness of 4" to 8". What is the best/safest way to cut this into manageable pieces? I have tried a cement breaking jack hammer mounted to a bobcat but after 4 hours I did did nothing but make small grooves in one piece.

William Juhasz
Purchasing Manager - Niles, Michigan, USA
February 9, 2011

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If the kettle (pot) is also scrap, then a thermic lance is very quick. You loose the volume that the cut occupies to fume (of which take adequate precautions).

If the kettle is to be preserved, then a shallow cut with a metal cutting blade (perhaps 2" deep) followed by jackhammer work.

Once you can get under one end, it gets easier to break.

Geoff Crowley
Crithwood Ltd.
Westfield, Scotland, UK

February 10, 2011

Thanks Geoff. We will try the thermal lance.

William Juhasz
- Niles, Michigan, USA
February 14, 2011