I was thinking of making my own shot for my smoothbore, but I have never made any before. I was wondering if the fumes from melting lead are harmful and what precautions should be taken when melting lead? Thanks alot, and no - i'm not a worry wart. ::
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Melthing Lead
- Thread starter dkloos
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Be advised that the fumes from melting lead are not simply harmful, they are, over a period of time, lethal.
As there is no degree of lethality, I think I have said enough on that point.
Melting lead should be done in the great outdoors, if possible, making certain sure that you do not inhale the fumes, which have an accumulative effect, or in thoroughly ventilated indoor space with a whacking great extractor fan sucking it all out.
Read this - not everything from the Californian legislature is as wacky as is made out - as a long term lead melter of HUGE bullets, I have excerpted the relavant bits from this document, which was aimed initially at the home caster...
Quote -
(16 Dec., 1996 -- Oakland) Hobbyists who make their own lead sinkers, toy soldiers, or bullets at home will be warned about a previously unrecognized risk to themselves and their children, following lawsuits by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) under California's innovative Proposition 65. EDF also identified a substitute metal for melting that avoids the risk.
"It's not just the man at the melting pot who's in danger," said David Roe, EDF senior attorney. "It's also his children or grandchildren who aren't even in the house while molten lead is being handled."
EDF studies found that melting lead in hobby equipment not only puts lead into the air immediately, but also deposits invisible lead dust around the house, where children and adults can be exposed long after. "The problem doesn't stop when you put your lead-casting kit away," said Roe. "Unless you know how to do specialized cleaning, you've created a hazard like lead paint that stays in the house indefinitely." Ordinary vacuuming and dusting just stirs up the lead dust and creates more exposure.
"The best answer is either not to cast at home, or to use a safe substitute for lead," said Roe.......Companies that make and sell the equipment for home lead-casting (molds, melters, etc.) have agreed both to warn their customers about the risk and -- for those who decide not to stop the practice -- tell them how best to reduce exposure. The warning emphasizes the risk to children and pregnant women. It advises strong ventilation during use, and explains how lead dust can successfully be cleaned off of surfaces and floors where it settles.
The required warning is the first under Proposition 65 to include a graphic depiction reinforcing the product makers' "how to" message to their customers.
All major makers and catalogue sellers of the casting equipment have legally committed themselves to give the new warnings. Companies signing settlements with EDF include Blount, Inc.; Gander Mountain, Inc.; Lee Precision, Inc.; C. Palmer Manufacturing Co.; Cabela's; Lyman Products Corp; Midsouth Shooters Supply Co.; Midway; Do-It Corp; and Hilts Molds. The San Francisco law firm of Chapman, Popik & White represented EDF in its lawsuits against the companies.
###
Read and take the necessary precautions and all will be well, but ignore the safeguards at your peril.
Whether it is being shot at you, or ingested by you, or even dropped on your foot in sizeable amounts, lead IS harmful.
tac :grey:
As there is no degree of lethality, I think I have said enough on that point.
Melting lead should be done in the great outdoors, if possible, making certain sure that you do not inhale the fumes, which have an accumulative effect, or in thoroughly ventilated indoor space with a whacking great extractor fan sucking it all out.
Read this - not everything from the Californian legislature is as wacky as is made out - as a long term lead melter of HUGE bullets, I have excerpted the relavant bits from this document, which was aimed initially at the home caster...
Quote -
(16 Dec., 1996 -- Oakland) Hobbyists who make their own lead sinkers, toy soldiers, or bullets at home will be warned about a previously unrecognized risk to themselves and their children, following lawsuits by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) under California's innovative Proposition 65. EDF also identified a substitute metal for melting that avoids the risk.
"It's not just the man at the melting pot who's in danger," said David Roe, EDF senior attorney. "It's also his children or grandchildren who aren't even in the house while molten lead is being handled."
EDF studies found that melting lead in hobby equipment not only puts lead into the air immediately, but also deposits invisible lead dust around the house, where children and adults can be exposed long after. "The problem doesn't stop when you put your lead-casting kit away," said Roe. "Unless you know how to do specialized cleaning, you've created a hazard like lead paint that stays in the house indefinitely." Ordinary vacuuming and dusting just stirs up the lead dust and creates more exposure.
"The best answer is either not to cast at home, or to use a safe substitute for lead," said Roe.......Companies that make and sell the equipment for home lead-casting (molds, melters, etc.) have agreed both to warn their customers about the risk and -- for those who decide not to stop the practice -- tell them how best to reduce exposure. The warning emphasizes the risk to children and pregnant women. It advises strong ventilation during use, and explains how lead dust can successfully be cleaned off of surfaces and floors where it settles.
The required warning is the first under Proposition 65 to include a graphic depiction reinforcing the product makers' "how to" message to their customers.
All major makers and catalogue sellers of the casting equipment have legally committed themselves to give the new warnings. Companies signing settlements with EDF include Blount, Inc.; Gander Mountain, Inc.; Lee Precision, Inc.; C. Palmer Manufacturing Co.; Cabela's; Lyman Products Corp; Midsouth Shooters Supply Co.; Midway; Do-It Corp; and Hilts Molds. The San Francisco law firm of Chapman, Popik & White represented EDF in its lawsuits against the companies.
###
Read and take the necessary precautions and all will be well, but ignore the safeguards at your peril.
Whether it is being shot at you, or ingested by you, or even dropped on your foot in sizeable amounts, lead IS harmful.
tac :grey:
Lead melted at required temperature for casting bullets and such do reach high enough temp to cause fumes. The greater danger in casting comes from dross dust & etc. Keep children and pets away from casting area. Always wash hands and change clothing after casting.
Many casters agree with this post, they claim that vaporization of lead requires a 1000 degree F. temperature, the best casting is done with lead heated to the neighborhood of 800 degrees. Cast outside, wear a welders glove on your strong hand, and move around to stay upwind. Wash with cold water and soap before transfering your hand or anything it holds to your mouth. As for the State of California, they have found many items to be dangerous that others find benign. Then there are the obvious lies about the dangers of smoking they perpetuate. I'm not saying that smoking is good, but according to California, one puff, destroyes your virility.
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Dear Mr Slamfire - I note your comment about California, but please note that I did too - quote '...not everything from the Californian legislature is as wacky as is made out...'
Dying of lead poisoning in the other 47 states is no different to dying in California. In this case, they are a correct as ALL the other states, and the WEU as well as most of the civilised world where the dangers of ingesting lead in one way or another are well-known.
As for the question in another post about long-term health problems encountered by soldiers in the days when the use of lead was common - please note that most of them did not live long enough to actually GET long-term health problems.
I trust that the point is made.
tac :grey:
Dying of lead poisoning in the other 47 states is no different to dying in California. In this case, they are a correct as ALL the other states, and the WEU as well as most of the civilised world where the dangers of ingesting lead in one way or another are well-known.
As for the question in another post about long-term health problems encountered by soldiers in the days when the use of lead was common - please note that most of them did not live long enough to actually GET long-term health problems.
I trust that the point is made.
tac :grey:
So in which two is it different?
:kid:
There are 50 states now.
But back to the seriousness of the topic - just ordered my own melting pot and the other accessories... will soon have everything I need except the lead. Well aware of the dangers from fumes and casting out-of-doors with a fan handy makes sense. But what about this dust thing? News to me. How do you casters deal with that potential hazard?
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You are right, tho' our friends living in CA do have some weird stuff to contend with coming from the State Legislature building that really makes ya think.
ff: Here's a good one, and ya hafta remember that ladies in a certain condition have unusual cravings for strange and exotic foods...it is as written on a label, BTW, the caps are not mine...
"WARNING This product Contains chemicals which are Known to the State of California To cause cancer, birth defects or OTHER reproductive harm."
My wife, when last enceinte, admits to having a craving for Marmite-smeared Spam with coffee ice-cream and Sprinkles, but draws the line firmly at the ingestion of the 30" long, sixteen pound, twelve-wheel, four-motored SD-45 diesel engine in 1/29th scale [even without the railings fitted] upon which packaging this warning was prominently posted.
tac :grey:
ff: Here's a good one, and ya hafta remember that ladies in a certain condition have unusual cravings for strange and exotic foods...it is as written on a label, BTW, the caps are not mine..."WARNING This product Contains chemicals which are Known to the State of California To cause cancer, birth defects or OTHER reproductive harm."
My wife, when last enceinte, admits to having a craving for Marmite-smeared Spam with coffee ice-cream and Sprinkles, but draws the line firmly at the ingestion of the 30" long, sixteen pound, twelve-wheel, four-motored SD-45 diesel engine in 1/29th scale [even without the railings fitted] upon which packaging this warning was prominently posted.
tac :grey:
I have been casting bullets for over four decades, five blood tests (last two years ago) have shown no heavy metals whatsoever.
So, if lead is such a concern, why proceed to take game (non water fowl) with lead shot, then ingest it with aplomb. Is it bad for ducks to eat, but good for humans?
So, if lead is such a concern, why proceed to take game (non water fowl) with lead shot, then ingest it with aplomb. Is it bad for ducks to eat, but good for humans?
I don't do a lot of bullet casting and most is for the 45 Long Colt but I always cast outside and stand upwind from the stove. Eye protection and a face mask are standard practice. Its a lot of work and not worth the trouble unless you do a lot of shooting or need a particular type of bullet otherwise not available.
musketshooter
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The NRA has done extensive research on lead exposure. Contact them for the full, correct "story". I too have been casting for 30 years with no ill effects. You can't get lead hot enough to vaporize it when casing bullets.
quigleysharps
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I cast about every Friday night...have for years now. Inside at that. Hasn't killed me off. Find it a very relaxing way to end a week of work. One of my secrets to keep it relaxing...when the ole gal comes checking up on me...flux. Gets her out of there real fast.
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Dear Mr AZ Robert - I did not neglect Alaska and Hawaii, simply excluded them because I have not yet, in my admittedly short time here, seen a post from either of those two states on this forum. In any case, I do not advise anybody, however many decades they have been casting lead items for, to stick their nose over the pot and have a good sniff to see how things are getting on in there.
However, as I noted earlier, feel free to do just as you please, whenever you like, and as often as you wish. How does it go? Something like....'...certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.'
And, presumably, dying of lead poisoning, but as a free man. :m2c:
I'm out of this thread.
tac :grey:
However, as I noted earlier, feel free to do just as you please, whenever you like, and as often as you wish. How does it go? Something like....'...certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.'
And, presumably, dying of lead poisoning, but as a free man. :m2c:
I'm out of this thread.
tac :grey:
Not Hawaii maybe, but there are a few people here from Alaska, including Windwalker who posts fairly regular.
this is just a little off the question but i was watching a show on history int. today called arms in action. today it was about slings and spears. and they showed some lead that the romans would cast for the slingers. and they would indvidually cast thier own with engravings so the injured would know who hit them. i just thought it was intersting. and thought about it after reading this post.
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