lead fumes

[kenny1]

Should you where a mask while casting?

[Boerrancher]

If you are getting fumes off of your lead pot other than when you toss a bit of lube in there for flux, then you are getting your alloy way too hot. I have been casting for nearly 30 years, started when I was 7 years old, and have had no adverse effects from the lead. If the smoke off of the flux bothers you then open a window or I guess you could wear one of those allergy/dust masks for that.

Best wishes from the Boer Ranch,

Joe

[billyb]

stay below 950* use cross ventilation. i have been casting 35 years or so. lead level is normal. i have never used one, if you would be more at ease use one. Bill

[MtGun44]

Both answers are correct. Lead does not vaporize to any significant
degree at normal casting temps. Ventilation is mostly for fumes from
smelting (junk burning off) or fluxing.

Bill

[JDFuchs]

I often use one. Tho im only 23 and look forward to a long and helthy life. Tho my bigger worry is not lead poisioning but when doing my first smelting of WW with all the other junk that turns into smoke, I don't bother cleaning through them much at all so a bit of tier rubber and all else is burnt off. For casting using my bottom pour pot im not woried much at all. However due to lack of for thought i did spill about a pound of lead out of my pot.. Be sure its on a good steddy serface, and if you stick somthing in it like a mold to warm up do so with reasion. [smilie=b: Cloths that you use during smelting might be good to keep seperate form your normal outfits.

[MtGun44]

I found one reference that showed a vapor pressure of 1mm Hg at
980C for lead. This is very low vaporization at just under 1800 F,
FAR above casting temps of 700-800F.

Full atmospheric pressure is 760 mm Hg, so 1 mm Hg is pretty small
and this is at a super hot temp.

Bill

[Bret4207]

I don't think it's a real concern as long as you aren't in an enclosed area. By that I mean if you cast in a tightly closed 6'x6' room, it might be a concern. As someone else mentioned there's more junk in the flux fumes than you'll get from the lead alloy at casting temps.

OTH- if you feel better, wear a mask. I admit I don't wear a mask, gloves, apron, even safety glasses most of the time. My luck may run out, but I've been doing it this way for 30+ years and old habits are hard to break. I've even cast in shorts, although not in cowboy boots and a jock strap, like Buckshot!:mrgreen:

When I smelt, whole 'nuther ball game. Just yesterday I was consolidating some WW's in one big bucket from several smaller ones. As I topped it off, right at the peak of the pile was a live 410 shell! I found 3 more right away!!!:shock::shock::shock: Either the garage I picked them up at is still shooting pigeons or Dan is trying to off me so he can have at my widow!:confused: