chrisk
12-23-2008, 12:40 PM
I'm working on a Bolger Single-Handed Schooner and it calls for a weighted daggerboard. Basically, lead filled about 1' x 1' x 2" in the bottom end of the daggerboard. The plans say to expect it to weight about 106 lbs.
After asking in many tire stores for their old tire weights and being refused, I finally found a local mechanic who was happy to support me on my project and gave me what he had at the time. He doesn't do much tire work he said so it may be a while before I get very much more from him.
Anyway, I now have 45 lbs of tire weights and need to figure out how to properly handle lead and create a safe setup to eventually get all 106 lbs into the daggerboard.
I have a good respirator (works great when I use epoxy, without it I get a runny nose for a day or two after working with a lot of epoxy, but no symptoms at all when I use it).
What's the best way to separate the lead from the metal clasps that hold the lead to the tire, just throw a tire weight into a vat and after the lead is melted pick out the metal ?
What kind of vat do I need to melt the lead in and how do I get one cheap ?
As I collect lead should I melt smaller amounts at a time into a bar form and keep them stored that way or just ry to do the whole thing at once starting from the tire weights ?
When the time comes to pour the lead into the dagger board I've heard it's best to try and do it all at once so that it cools as one solid piece.
What type of equipment would I need to try and melt all 106 lbs at once and make one pour out of it ?
Is it really feasible for a home builder to try a 106 lb pour all at once and if not what is a good alternative ?
Any pointers to instructions on how to properly handle molten lead would be appreciated. Between the heat of molten lead and lead's toxicity I want to treat this procedure with the appropriate respect. This is one of those times when it's better to learn from other people's experience then from my own.
Thanks
Chris Kottaridis
After asking in many tire stores for their old tire weights and being refused, I finally found a local mechanic who was happy to support me on my project and gave me what he had at the time. He doesn't do much tire work he said so it may be a while before I get very much more from him.
Anyway, I now have 45 lbs of tire weights and need to figure out how to properly handle lead and create a safe setup to eventually get all 106 lbs into the daggerboard.
I have a good respirator (works great when I use epoxy, without it I get a runny nose for a day or two after working with a lot of epoxy, but no symptoms at all when I use it).
What's the best way to separate the lead from the metal clasps that hold the lead to the tire, just throw a tire weight into a vat and after the lead is melted pick out the metal ?
What kind of vat do I need to melt the lead in and how do I get one cheap ?
As I collect lead should I melt smaller amounts at a time into a bar form and keep them stored that way or just ry to do the whole thing at once starting from the tire weights ?
When the time comes to pour the lead into the dagger board I've heard it's best to try and do it all at once so that it cools as one solid piece.
What type of equipment would I need to try and melt all 106 lbs at once and make one pour out of it ?
Is it really feasible for a home builder to try a 106 lb pour all at once and if not what is a good alternative ?
Any pointers to instructions on how to properly handle molten lead would be appreciated. Between the heat of molten lead and lead's toxicity I want to treat this procedure with the appropriate respect. This is one of those times when it's better to learn from other people's experience then from my own.
Thanks
Chris Kottaridis