Casting lead sheets

[coloradoclyde]

Awhile back there was a topic about making powder cans out of lead like Lewis and Clark did.
I wondered how lead sheets were made...
This type of process goes back to Roman times.

[youtube]YxywudfRvTE[/youtube]

 

[Many Klatch]

Thanks for that video. I was in the roofing trades for 50 years. We used tons of sheet lead. I always thought that it was extruded not cast. Sheetmetal Smiths could cut and solder the lead into the complex shapes needed to flash pipes in slate and tile roofs.

 

[Patocazador]

I noticed they wore face shields while pouring but no respirators. I wonder how much lead they inhale during a semi-crude operation like that.

England must not have strict regulations to protect the workers.

 

[coloradoclyde]

There are also methods of machine rolling and machine casting, but this method would be applicable to the 18th century.

 

[Kansas Jake]

It makes sense to pour it rather than roll it. Rolling in would probably harden it to some extent and make it less pliable depending on the use.

 

[coloradoclyde]

I noticed they wore face shields while pouring but no respirators. I wonder how much lead they inhale during a semi-crude operation like that.

England must not have strict regulations to protect the workers.

Although it is not apparent in the video, those pots are likely equipped with exhausts or suction slots that draw off any harmful fumes or they have some other type of ventilation.

They are covered with spatter protection from head to toe because the risk of explosion from a single drop of water is real. The lead sticks to clothing and skin and burns until it cools.

I saw a guy get burned in a similar explosion with a similar material. He turned his head right before the explosion and liquid material was able to come in behind his face mask from the side. Burning his face and neck. He was immediately doused with a cooler of ice water (in ice bucket challenge style)that was always on standby in case of emergency.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Interesting. They make it, we destroy it. :shocked2: :wink:

 

[Firelock937]

At normal melting temps lead doesn't give off fumes. Can't recall at what temperature it does, but it's a lot higher than normal casting temperature. Lots of discussion on that subject on bullet casting sites.

 

[Zonie]

Lead begins to boil and give off fumes at 3,180°F (1,749°C).

That's considerably hotter than molten steel which melts at about 2,750°F (1,510°C).

 

[coloradoclyde]

lead doesn't but impurities do...

 

[smoothshooter]

Actually, from what I read and hear, Great Britain has the most stringent work safety rules in the world, to the point of being rediculous most of the time.
It is not even legal to be a pallbearer without going to a class and being certified, with serious penalties if you are caught being in violation of the law.
A man fell into, and drowned in a small lake in a city park during an epileptic seizure because bystanders wouldn't risk bringing down the wrath of the infamous Health and Safety Department by going into the water without authorities saying it was safe first.
It took several minutes for the man to drown, with a sizeable audience in attendance. When the rescue divers finally arrived, they were not allowed to go in until the Fire Department got there and sent a diver in ( on an extension ladder ), to determine water depth. By the time the divers were approved to go in, something like 45 minutes had elapsed.

Water depth was measured to be 4 feet deep.

 

[coloradoclyde]

:rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:
Cite your sources........ :rotf: