[pianotech] "jiffy leads"

[Paul McCloud]

Bill:
    Some years ago, I also got into reloading and casting my own.  There was a waxy mold release that was used in the process of moulding.  I didn't have adequate ventilation, and whiffing the vapor from the mix made me dizzy for many days.  I was very scared.  I did recover, thankfully.  Stupid is what stupid does.  
    Consider yourself warned
    Paul McCloud
    inSane Deigo


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Bill Fritz 
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: 11/15/2010 6:17:51 AM 
Subject: [pianotech] re: "jiffy leads"


Wim et al, be VERY CAREFUL w/ ANY LEAD CASTING.  The vapors are poisonous and longer term will kill you.  I'd suggest letting someone else supply you w/ the formula you need.  ALSO, WASH YOUR HANDS VERY CAREFULLY AFTER WORKING w/ THE LEAD.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_poisoning

I was a pistol shooter & reloader...   during an active phase, my body lead content shot up over the warning point (above 40) just from handling it, alone.  My friends who actually moulded their own bullets got into the dangerous-to-body-organ-shutdown stages... though I suspect they moulded for themselves, as well as others.

Find someone in your area who has the shop w/ appropriate venting & procedures to handle such.  Maybe even talk w/ your local gun shop and ask who does moulding.  Usually they know who does.

Best Regards...   Bill Fritz, St Louis
------------------------------------------------
Wim et al,
The reason some lead expands and does it's corrosion thing, has to do with the amount of Zinc in it. Of course environmental conditions are the main cause, but  lead's abiltiy to not corrode is the Zinc content. Wheel weights that are used to balance the wheels on your car, have a high zinc content.....hence little or no corrosion. It is possible to cast your own key leads, just like casting bullets or fishing sinkers. All you need is an adequate die to pour the lead into. Melting the lead is easy, but caution must be taken in regards to the vapors. Do it outside. Coleman stove and a bullet casting pot w/pouring ladle does the trick.  Of course, you'll need to MAKE an appropriate mould, that's the hard part. It may be possible to get one of our suppliers to mix up a batch using reject wheel weights......probably won't but it's worth a thought/try/whatever.
Regards,
Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
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