Melting Lead

[Oldman]

We had lead water pipes until I was 10yrs old and I always used to crimp lead split shot onto my fishing line with my teeth, handled old lead sheet, cut it up and melted it on a stove in an old pan indoors for pouring fishing leads. I am nearing 80 now and still don't have lead poisoning so unless I've been extremely lucky I think your chances of getting sick from the odd bit of lead work are pretty slim.

 

[Dabop]

We used to repair car battery posts when I was an apprentice (at the time, a new car battery was literally more than a weeks wages as a first year apprentice!!!) by charging the damaged battery up, then getting the carbon rod out of a D cell and filing that to a point...
Put a mold over the melted terminal, chuck in some lead fishing sinkers and connect the carbon rod to the other battery terminal via a car jumper lead, then 'stick the carbon into the mold' and start stirring- it works well lol
You can even still buy the molds amazingly enough

That's a flash one with a proper 'welders handle' and everything- we just stuck the carbon rod into the other end of the jumper lead lol

 

[Scruples]

Melting point of lead is 327 deg C
Please DO NOT DO IN KITCHEN lead is poisonous both short and long term
It will burn the wood as other suggested cut lead up and epoxy
If you really must melt and pour into the wood I wish you all the best

I would appreciate some advice.

I made a figurine/sculpture for which I turned a conical base from ABW. The figurine connects via a 2mm s/steel rod passing through the base through a 2mm hole drilled through at 5 degrees. Due of the centre of gravity, I feel I should weight the base a little.

I've got some lead (a reel of lead glazing lead) and I've got a pocket in the base into which I can pour it.

Question is, how do I melt the lead, bearing in mind I have no special equipment - other than the electric hob when the wife isn't looking!

Can anyone suggest a way to do it . . . . .

My other concern is will the wood stand up to molten lead being poured into it?

Thanks in advance.

For the odd occasion melting lead is best done on an outdoor camping stove in an old saucepan. A breezy day is useful but wearing a mask is recommended, I used to cast all my fishing weights this way when I was younger.

 

[redhunter350]

We had lead water pipes until I was 10yrs old and I always used to crimp lead split shot onto my fishing line with my teeth, handled old lead sheet, cut it up and melted it on a stove in an old pan indoors for pouring fishing leads. I am nearing 80 now and still don't have lead poisoning so unless I've been extremely lucky I think your chances of getting sick from the odd bit of lead work are pretty slim.

I could not agree more ! Yes there is an element of danger and we know lead is poisonous but no need to scaremonger ! Some sensible precautions yes but like Oldman I too am an Octogenarian and have been casting lead weights, bullets and lead vice jaws for decades and no ill effects -- still doing it.
Also worth considering much of the housing stock pre 1950, maybe 1960 is serviced by lead pipes, as far as I am aware there has been no program to replace these nationwide.
Sensible precautions, wear suitable protective clothing all skin covered, visor hat gloves, bucket of water to hand incase of skin contact and always ensure your mould is dry or you may have a team "explosion"

 

[Steve Medlock]

Yes, likewise, been casting lead regularly for decades with no ill effects. Sensible precautions though - hand and eye protection, fresh air etc.