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Thread: How to cut THICK lead plates?

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    How to cut THICK lead plates?

    I'm getting an old hospital ready to demo, And have found the X-ray rooms are covered in lead plates that are 1" thick and 2x3 feet. These plates seem to weigh between 300 and 400 lbs each. I need to cut them into pieces that can be carried up a few flights of stairs as the elevators are out of commision.

    I need to cut them using hand tools, a Grinder, Sawzall, or Circular Saw, ETC....
    Any ideas what would make easy work of this? How course of saw blades? I only have a few days before the scrap contractors come in. What do you think?

  2. #2
    Boolit Bub Dunkem's Avatar
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    Chainsaw, electric one of the exhaust fumes are an issue.

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  3. #3
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    NoZombies's Avatar
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    Sawzall with a course blade will do the trick, but make sure you're using a short blade, and lube the blades regularly.
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  4. #4
    Boolit Master



    retread's Avatar
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    Sawzall with very coarse tooth blade.

  5. #5
    Boolit Mold
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    Quote Originally Posted by retread View Post
    Sawzall with very coarse tooth blade.
    sounds great.

  6. #6
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    Do ya get to keep any ?

    I'd sorta hate see it go to a scrap yard.

    They'd probably sell it to the chinese.
    I HATE auto-correct

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  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
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    Thanks Guys I'll try that tomorrow! I'll let you know how it works! DR

  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Agree with sawzall.

  9. #9
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    I use to cut aluminum sheets with a circular saw with a carbide blade turned backward, it would rip right thru without catching and binding IDK how it would do with 1" lead.
    It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years (Abe Lincoln)

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  10. #10
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    Wood splitter, no chainsaw shavings either.
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  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    I have used a Sawzall with a coarse wood cutting blade. It seemed to cut better by lubing the cut with WD40. Lots of vibration, or maybe I just wasn't using the best technique. I also have used a counter rotating dual blade rotary saw. Easier in my experience, with less vibration/fatigue (but I'm a scrawny, little guy). Lots of chips to catch with a tarp with either tool.

    ETA: that was for cutting up to 3/4" flat and cylindrical pure lead sheet.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    A Jack hammer with a spade bit goes through lead like a hot knife through butter.
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  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master

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    even though the elevators are not working the shafts are still there. could a block and tackle be rigged to lift them up the shaft to ground level then a dolly to remove them.

  14. #14
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    JonB_in_Glencoe's Avatar
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    I've used a Circular Saw with carbide blade.
    Lube the blade with wax.
    I'd make a cut/score about 1/2" deep and try to break it...if that doesn't work, try a little deeper. no sense cutting more than needed.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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  15. #15
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    I know this is no help. But I once split 4 25lb lead "bricks" in half with a bow saw with a wood blade & 30w motor oil.
    21yrs old - young and stupid.
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  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by Walks View Post
    I know this is no help. But I once split 4 25lb lead "bricks" in half with a bow saw with a wood blade & 30w motor oil.
    21yrs old - young and stupid.
    I've cut many a piece of telephone company cable sheathing with a carpenters hand saw. Admittedly, its a lot thinner that what either you or dangerranger are talking about. About any power saw with a course blade should work ok. I would be temped to try the chainsaw.
    The stairs are going to add a good deal of work to this score but it should really pay off. Nice find.

  17. #17
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    They make a pruning blade for Sawzall's that goes through lead like butter and the huge teeth don't load up...

  18. #18
    Boolit Grand Master
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    pruning blade on a reciprocating saw, chainsaw, general purpose carbide blade on a circular saw

  19. #19
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    when i have to cut my thick ingots I use a circular saw. spray penetrating oil on the blade as it spins..... both sides. it coats the teeth and the lead does not stick.

  20. #20
    Boolit Grand Master

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    sawzall using a demo blade and a can of wd40 or some other lubes for the blade
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BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
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