Lead Block

[esantoro]

It is precisely the health concerns that have been making me think of using a torch instead of boiling and pouring, my thinking being that the torch would be the quickest and most efficient method, requiring the least amount of exposure during setup and cleaning, especially for the basic needs of making a simple block.

Are the health concerns serious even when using a cold, hardened lead block? I'm not going to be using the block daily, nor am I going to be smelting the lead more than a few times a year, if that.

In my research, I came across the debate on whether a propane torch should be called a blow torch.

Another thing I came across is the warning not to smelt lead over concrete and wondered why this is.

Ed

propane torch is not what i call a blow torch.

to me a blow torch is a oxygen acetene cutting torch.

the propane torch may not be able to get lead hot enough to melt all the way without using lots of propane. i only went through one 1 pound bottle of propane on my camp stove to melt 20 pounds of lead. you have a bigger area of heat with a camp stove verses a propane torch that only centers the heat in small area

always remember to melt lead in a well ventilated area. best place is outside.

the lead fumes are bad for you.

just put the lead chunks into your pie tin and put on the camp stove. let cook. after its melted remember to skim off the sludge on top. this is the contaminated stuff and is junk. the top should look like a mirror after you are done skimming off the junk. it may haze over but this is ok. now let it cool and then dump the pie tin over on your work bench and you have your block. also be aware of the health concerns when handling lead. i always wear gloves while melting lead. i try to handle the lead with gloves(even when im done casting it) to reduce the lead coming into contact with skin. you may want to consider this when you are using the block.

[Elliot]

Another thing I came across is the warning not to smelt lead over concrete and wondered why this is.

Ed

If you spill the melted lead on concrete, it will turn the water in it to steam and blow up sending hot lead and chunks of concrete in all directions. This makes for a very bad day!!!!!!!

[esantoro]

And I thought I was taking risks with my lamp fixes. Thank you for this explanation. Thank you very, very much............Though now I'm quite curious to see what this will look like.

Ed

Another thing I came across is the warning not to smelt lead over concrete and wondered why this is.

Ed

If you spill the melted lead on concrete, it will turn the water in it to steam and blow up sending hot lead and chunks of concrete in all directions. This makes for a very bad day!!!!!!!

[UKRay]

The gas stove also gets used for the coffee pot, creaser heater and oil warmer.

...and remelting the beeswax blocks occasionally -when they get all shredded up and manky! I must remember to drop a bit of resin in next time. Just got an amazing cast iron double cauldron... hubble bubble... sorry, where was I?

Get a stove Ed. Take it outside and boil up your lead somewhere where the stove can't topple over and you won't kick it. It doesn't take long and probably won't kill you any faster than living in New York. Just don't breath the nasties. Oh yes, do scrape the crud off the top of the pot or you'll have a rough surface to your lead block. No problem. Nice and easy. Now go and mug a plumber like everyone over here does. Shipping lead from California, indeed - Doh! I can see I'm just going to have to come over there and do it for you! <grin!>

[electrathon]

Are the health concerns serious even when using a cold, hardened lead block? I'm not going to be using the block daily, nor am I going to be smelting the lead more than a few times a year, if that.

Another thing I came across is the warning not to smelt lead over concrete and wondered why this is.

Yes, even handling hardened lead can be an issue. Hard lead like tire weights are safer than soft lead though. As long as you wash your hands after handling it the risk is minimal.

There is a posability of the concrete exploding. VERY minimal. I have spilled lead and things far hotter on concrete and have never seen it happen.

If you need lead just go to the local tire shop and buy the scrap tire weights from one of the guys. Do not ask in front, walk in the back door and ask one of the workers.

[tonyc1]

Ed, this is what I use to melt my lead. It is a hotplate that I bought at a local tip shop about 20 years ago for 5 dollars and the pan is just an old one we used for cooking. The electric plate gives any degree of heat you want and it only takes about 10 minutes and you don't have to worry about getting gas, you just plug it into the point and away you go. I used a gas ring many years ago but this is better. This block is 1 1/2" thick and 9" wide.

You really should use pure lead as it is softer than wheel weights and projectiles. Both of these usually contain Tin and Antimony which is used to harden projectiles for shooting. I've cast hundreds of thousands of projectiles so I know this is true! Get some pure lead if you can.

Tony.

Edited May 13, 2009 by tonyc1