Idea to melt lead on a stove build

[Screwdriver]

it makes me laugh sometimes someone googles something puts it on here and its word for word when you look it up

Name some names.

If I want to understand a subject, I'll look it up but it is obvious to me that lead does not become a gas when you melt it, therefore it does not form lead fumes.

My amateur understanding of the dangers and subsequent questioning is rewarded when someone points out that "fume" (not "lead fumes") is not a vernacular description for the production of a lead specific gas but is a scientific term which includes particulate matter. Even so it transpires that really only occurs at elevated temperature which I point out in my first post. I also point out that particulate matter is the key issue and even without "expert" knowledge, my lucky guess is spot on even if I am not familiar with the language.

I would not profess to be an "expert" in any field which happens to have HSE requirements and if I was I wouldn't be so keen to disply deep ignorance of, say, the use of lead in hat production just to make some snarky comment about someone who dares to display some interest in their "specialist area of expertise".

I would always be wary of melting any soiled substance where you will generate toxic fumes from paints, oils or other contaminants so as I have repeatedly said - do it outside. The discussion then continues to promote lead fume as the most dangerous aspect of melting lead which is still not correct. THE most dangerous thing about lead is the much more likely possibility of ingesting it. You won't be breathing in the fumes because you're outside with a mask. therefore in response to the original question (which is why we are all here no?) is that the specific danger with lead is safe handling, keeping it off your skin and not sticking it in your mouth!

But the most important point being the answer to the origial question: should I melt lead in a pan inserted into an insulated firebox. The answer is a resounding NO. Lead will melt way below the temperature at which it will produce significant lead fume (), the heat from direct contact with solid fuel can raise that temperature to a dangerous level.

 

[Onoff]

it makes me laugh sometimes someone googles something puts it on here and its word for word when you look it up

Indeed, please people, precis, precis!

 

[daleyd]

I could be wrong but I don't think anyone has said that lead fumes are the most dangerous thing, just that there could well be the chance that you could end up breathing in something that you might not particularly want to so best to do it outside or at least somewhere well ventilated.

 

[Screwdriver]

Name some names.

Indeed, please people, precis, precis!

Yeah, I wanna know where this cut+paste from Google is...

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

This weekend I was involved in lead fishing weights being cast.

The heat was from a Primus stove. The cruicble was a SS steel pot.
The lead was cut into strips and pre warmed on a 1" steel plate on another stove.
The crucible was warmed and small amount of lead was added untill a pool was formed.
The warm strips were fed in and allowed to melt in their own weight.

When there was jst over a pound of liquid lead, the cruicible was poured into a pouring flask. Yes another stove. The dross was cleaned off.
The lead then was then decanted into moulds.

Simple and fun.

 

[bourbon]

This weekend I was involved in lead fishing weights being cast.

The heat was from a Primus stove. The cruicble was a SS steel pot.
The lead was cut into strips and pre warmed on a 1" steel plate on another stove.
The crucible was warmed and small amount of lead was added untill a pool was formed.
The warm strips were fed in and allowed to melt in their own weight.

When there was jst over a pound of liquid lead, the cruicible was poured into a pouring flask. Yes another stove. The dross was cleaned off.
The lead then was then decanted into moulds.

Simple and fun.

What a load of faff. why on earth do you need to 'pre warm' the lead? eat a couple of tins of beans. put cleaned tin on primus stove, cut lead up to fit in tin, put into tin one at a time waiting until the first one melts. Throw some tallow in. That will clear it. pour slowly into a very dry mould. wait for it to cool, then knock out. easy. I do it in a field.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

What a load of faff. why on earth do you need to 'pre warm' the lead? eat a couple of tins of beans. put cleaned tin on primus stove, cut lead up to fit in tin, put into tin one at a time waiting until the first one melts. Throw some tallow in. That will clear it. pour slowly into a very dry mould. wait for it to cool, then knock out. easy. I do it in a field.

Simple.
The MIS member planed it that way. The lead will melt faster, allowing the less forming of dross.
He had planned down to the temp of the warming plate.

As it was his project we ran with his plans, with a few tweeks to the H&S side.

When I melt lead, set crucible in fire, add lead, melt pour into moulds.

 

[bourbon]

Simple.
The MIS member planed it that way. The lead will melt faster, allowing the less forming of dross.
He had planned down to the temp of the warming plate.

As it was his project we ran with his plans, with a few tweeks to the H&S side.

When I melt lead, set crucible in fire, add lead, melt pour into moulds.

Thank you for that. Best let him take the lead he has a greater sense of achievement that way

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Thank you for that. Best let him take the lead he has a greater sense of achievement that way

That's why we did it his way.
80% of suggestions we get get no were.
Not planed through, or they want others to do and much more.

This guy had done it all.