lead burning

[smegger]

hi guys my dads a plumber and i was asking him about this yesterday he say he has trained in lead welding, ie welding pieces of lead together to make lead slates for flues etc.

i have a vw caddy project atm and instead of using seam sealer i would love to lead up the joins as i have seen body shops do on the telly lead loading? i know it is a dying art but i was wondering if there is any info on it anywhere, my dad said the metal would prob have to be tinned for the lead to take to it but it was just a guess and by the sound of thing on here it is a solder not pure lead. i was hoping if i could maybe get lead welding down leading some seams could be the next step.

 

[fingers99]

I think there's some stuff in the FROST catalogue. I tried it once and found it very tricky, but your dad should be able to help. "Lead loading" on google might turn some useful stuff up.

 

[smegger]

yea had a look at the frost kit looks pretty good and i have access to a good blowlamp and i also have a spare door with some holes to practice on so when i can afford it im gona give it a bash, my dad says he should be able to get some tallow and lead sticks from work so ill give em a go first!

 

[cdudley]

Yes you will have to use a tinning compound. The reason is so that the lead bonds to the steel surface. I have never done body work using lead but I have bonded lead to tanks that were 1/4" thick we also used a tinning compound. When you apply the compound you have to make sure there is no pits on the surface and if so make it as clean as possible. We always grinded the metal to a shiny finish and the applied the tinning compound after that you must heat the tinning compound on the opposite side until it starts to sweat the wipe it with a clean cloth towel. If you can't heat it from the opposite side heat it on the side the compound is on but not to long cause you can burn the compound. When you wipe the compound off after it starts to get sweaty it should appear like a brand new quarter very shiny almost a mirror finish. Then you can apply the lead to the compound by melting it on the and buring it in with a torch using hydrogen and oxygen. You can see the lead bonding to the metal. That is when you know it is bonded.

 

[smegger]

found a good how to video here

http://www.sovereigncoachworks.com/page2/files/page2-1002-pop.html

 

[Robotstar5]

Just remember, lead is poisonous. Car body lead loaders used to have blood tested every three months for lead poisoning.

 

[smegger]

i know im getting myself a mask, not like ill be doing it for a life time just 1 car. so hopefully will be fine

 

[fingers99]

Best do any final sanding, etc. with hand tools. Last thing you want is lead dust flying around.

Cheapo gloves that you can chuck away afterwards.

 

[Weldingartisan]

Lexi,
Well I've just read through the replies here and they don't seem very helpful. If you have a lead burning torch and tips try this: Get hold of some code 5 or 6 lead (builders' merchant not church roof!), tin snips, pull scraper (decorators type). Cut some strips about 3-4mm wide for filler rod and scrape of oxide layer. Lay a piece of sheet on a flat surface (MDF will do) and dress flat, scrape a section clean. My lead torch tips go from 0-6 on this basis using a 3 tip with a neutral flame place the filler near the flame whilst forming the weld pool. Work fast in a pulsing action with the torch or you will burn through. Unlike most homogenous welding do not wait for a weld pool to form before adding filler, it will be too late! The flame is played on the filler and parent metal together. I'm no expert, but I picked up the torch recently after about 20 years and achieved satisfactory results. Apart from O/A safety, clear goggles, good ventilation and wash your hands before handling food. Have a go. W/A

 

[runnach]

This thread generated a fair amount of interest so, took cam to work, had a wee dabble, took pics for those that have not viewed a completed lead burn/weld. I'm blaming the quality of my efforts on weekend west highland hospitality and mucho foot stomping, head bumping in the morning my excuse anyway!

 

[zardoz]

if anyone can get a look at the January copy of Practical classics magazine. It has several pages as a feature on lead loading, which is very similar and used exactly the same kit.

 

[smegger]

cheers guys cool,

runnach yea lead weldig thats what my dad says he has been trained in i want to have a go at lead loading for bodywork in cars. nice welding btw!

ill have a hunt zardoz

 

[warp speed]

terrible stuff mate! yikes.
brain-pickling fumes and molten table-tops


--
negative warp-factor!
www.daviddudgeonstudios.com

 

[smegger]

hey warp where u from mate?

 

[Charles Norman Daynes]

Lead loding cars

Have done some of this on classics, use the proper silver rich flux paint from Frost, tins very well indeed and( Secret panel Beaters tip) you can use a hot air paint stripper for heat as long as its over 2kw ,prevents overheating and no dirty smoke to spoil job.

 

[warp speed]

Hi smegger
I'm from Belfast, Norn' Iron.

Why'd you ask?

 

[smegger]

just wondering mate aint many northern irish about when u are looking around the forums, ur website look very cool mate some really nice work on there, im studying in belfast atm myself!

 

[leadman]

lead welding

Hi ,I'm a new member ,The remarks about the lead welding caught my eye.
The welding method is relatively simple to learn ,I teach it a plumbing college as part of the City and Guilds level 2. Its a bit of a waste as the students will never use the skill as its done by people specialing in it as it takes practice and patience to acheive good results.
I teach roofing contractors the welding and forming sometimes as they do it for a living.
Regarding safety equipment ,a pair of goggles and good ventilation is all thats required in Colleges.
Its possible to teach basic welding techniques in a couple of hours .

hope this helps

 

[leadman]

Hi , what would a lead weding set cost ? Regs ,hoses,arrestors , small "O" torch and nozzles. Seen a set new for £300 ,is that ok ?

 

[leadman]

Hi Alex , gas pressures for welding lead arevery low ,start with o.4 bar for both gases and increase as you get more confident. try nozzle 2 or 3. neutral flame.
clean a strip about 12 to 15 mm ,cut afiller rod from scrap about 8 mm wide ,clean this as well.
Form small pool ,add rod ,move this pool forward with a slight left right movement and repeat. (thumbnail technique )
This is practice ,then move on to a butt .then lap weld.
Wear clear goggles and do outdoors or with extraction.
use barrier cream ,wash hands afterwards.