How hazardous is smelting/casting?

[blueline541]

Beyond burning off your ankle what are the health risks involved while doing this?


I purchased a respirator which I used while smelting a five gallon bucket of WWs today(ten buckets to go). It was pleasant not having to put up with the stench, but it was too uncomfortable to wear the entire time so I held it on whenever I was immediately around the DO.

[AdamN]

I wouldnt breathe the smoke if at all possible, I always just stay upwind.

[fredj338]

I used to wear a resp & still do for short periods, but for longer stretches, a fine particulate dust mask works fine. As long as you aren't smelting above 700deg, the lead isn't vaporizing.

[Pitmaster]

Its also not recommended to smoke or eat while handling lead.

[AdamN]

Its also not recommended to smoke or eat while handling lead.

Yes, keep your hands away from your face, dont pick yer nose, bite yer fingernails, rub yer eyes............

[ept000]

My doctor says it's much harder to absorb lead than you would think. You have to get well into the vaporization point to get it in your system. As for handling it, it takes fairly long exposure, so as long as you are washing your hands and such, you should be good to go. As for the smoke, well no smoke is good for you. Having said that, my doctor could be an idiot, personally I don't like him, but I can tell you I had my lead levels checked and they were extreemly low. He might be right...

[MakeMineaP99]

Blueline, I'm still alive and kicking.

[blueline541]

I reckon I'm done with it then.


Anything that doesn't allow for doughnuts and coffee ain't worth doing.

[Glooooock]

Guys have had good luck with a Kitty litter layer on top / lower temps . The litter absorbs gases / smoke for the indoor casters . I see great vent /fan setups posted here. Most of my casting is done outside "outa da smoke ".

[Shooter]

When I was young and learning, back in the old'en days before modern day smelting pots. I was casting round balls with a mold and a laddle. I had an air bubble in the mold. When it came out the sprue hole hot lead shot up. Luckly, I blinked in time and the hot lead only sealed my eye lid shut. Lesson learned wear safety glasses!

[blueline541]

I've already had a few small pops and splatter, although I make sure the WWs are bone dry before I melt them. I'm going to have to get a pair of safety glasses especially after seeing how easily and quickly my father was blinded last year.

[bfox]

You know what I think is nice .
I bought a cheap plastic face shield .
When your done dumping them in you can flip the shield up .

Bill

[The10mmKid]

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/3NMC5

http://images.grainger.com/B280_41/images/products/3NMC5.JPG

Less than $8

I'm not promoting Graingers, just the supplier we use a lot and easy for me to navigate.

'da Kid

[Anvil]

I reckon I'm done with it then.


Anything that doesn't allow for doughnuts and coffee ain't worth doing.

You've got to die of something. Lead seems like a fine cause to me.

Just look at the price of cast bullets versus the cost of wheel weights. Strong argument there for casting.


You can cook lead wet, if you start your melt with the wet lead already in the pot. The water will evaporate out. Just don't ADD wet lead!!!!

[cohutt]

this what you'd be trying to outrun if a teeny bit of water gets under the melt. (This is what didn't land on my ankle; look at the gravel encapsulated- I actually got off lucky and the biggest firebombs missed me)

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/burns/footburn925.jpg

[Glooooock]

+ 100 on water & hot lead as a common danger . I find the water dropped bullets get sorted for defects and thrown into the pot again .While I roll them on a towel and wait a while to air dry . I have dropped wet ones in the pot . Its best to fill any lead pot from a distance , with a large spoon / small shovel .

My berm mining buddies have had .22s ( duds / bent live rounds ) go off in the pot . He said it blew out enough to make a 14" circle of lead foil on the floor -next to his foot .

One manual listed liquid dishwasher soap , as having the highest phosphate levels .For scrubbing the area with gray oxide , were the lead had rubbed a mark on counter or dust type residue .

[chozen5]

I heard the vapors would make yer babies be born naked and sometimes bald!!:43: