Lead gasket removal

Hi again - i am having a devil of a time removing the old lead gasket between the riser and tank in my Sea Stove. No amount of picking snd scraping seems to work. Any tips? Thanks.

 

Pointed tool to gouge and then pry it out.
Duane

 

Why remove it?

 

Thanks guys. I tried a pick etc. but it is just too malleable - and it just spreads it around. Should I try to melt it and sop it up somehow?

Can I just leave what’s left, insert a new one?

 

Don’t put a second washer in, will still leak. Melting may loosen joint.
Duane

 

You could hear it up and use a solder wick to pull it out...

 

For that situation I use a narrow screwdriver, rotated alternating clockwise/anti-clockwise in the hand to drill into the lead, the screwdriver having no impact on the brass when the hole bottoms out. Once done the screwdriver is used to lever out the washer.

John

 

Yua, I like the idea to make a hole and then you can used a screw or the like that will lift the washer will screwing. The size of the screw will decided the size of the drill bit.

 

Well - thanks everyone. I managed to get it all out using a wire cup fitting on a dremel. Clean as s whistle now.

 

bit late replying trev but a dremel is the best thing ive purchased since my stove addiction ,they are so usefull .