Casting Indoor question (specific question about this setup) Is this "safe"?

[donald150]

I am new this year to casting and so far I have been doing it in my garage doorway with a large fan behind me blowing the fumes out the door.

It is now too cold outside to leave the door in my heated garage open.


My question is: Do you think this (below) is "safe"?










I took a new bathroom vent fan and built a box around it. I ran a flex pipe up into the attic and out the wall through a new vent that I installed. It is venting into my backyard behind my garage. The total length of the pipe is about 8-10'.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii184/donald150/vent/20131130_203159_zps2ac5600c.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/donald150/media/vent/20131130_203159_zps2ac5600c.jpg.html)

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii184/donald150/vent/20131130_203017_zpsb07448d4.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/donald150/media/vent/20131130_203017_zpsb07448d4.jpg.html)






The fan DOESN'T seem to be getting too hot. I threw in a little wax to make some smoke and see if it was all sucked outside. It was NOT. It could not keep up with the massive amount of smoke the wax created.



I added some TEMPORARY cardboard sides to see if this helped direct the smoke into the fan and it worked well.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii184/donald150/vent/20131130_203035_zpsdf455085.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/donald150/media/vent/20131130_203035_zpsdf455085.jpg.html)


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii184/donald150/vent/20131130_203109_zps05b5cc86.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/donald150/media/vent/20131130_203109_zps05b5cc86.jpg.html)





The cardboard did not get hot at all but the plan is to replace it with sheet metal.
If I hold my hand near the pot when the fan is running, I only feel the cold draft going into the fan. I have to hold my hand above the pot to feel any heat. To me this indicates the fumes are going out the vent.

What do you think? Does this look OK or totally crazy?

[nhrifle]

Looks like it should work well to me. If you want to upgrade your fan, you might look into the fans used in over-the-rangetop hoods found in most kitchens. For the ultimate fan, check industrial supply companies for stronger evacuation fans.

[donald150]

Looks like it should work well to me. If you want to upgrade your fan, you might look into the fans used in over-the-rangetop hoods found in most kitchens. For the ultimate fan, check industrial supply companies for stronger evacuation fans.

I think a better fan will be in my future but I am hoping this will work for now. That is the cheapest fan that home depot sells.

Now that the pipe is installed, upgrading the fan will be the easy part later.

[geargnasher]

I consider 300-350 CFM a minimum, but I cast inside of a finished room and take no chances. Lead alloy doesn't "fume", but I've checked around the inside of my fume hood with lead wipes and they test EXTREMELY positive. Must be little particles getting carried away with the the soot from fluxing/reducing. Mine's a 500 cfm but pulls through about 25' of galvanized steel pipe so I'm sure the friction cuts that down a lot.

Be sure you have a window cracked or some inlet source to the garage so you your fan doesn't have to work hard sucking air in through the window seals and electrical outlets. Also, if your garage is heated via the HVAC system that serves the rest of the house, block it off when casting.

Gear

[CastingFool]

I would think you would need a much stronger fan. the idea of enclosing the melter I think is good, as well as cracking a window so the fan doesn't have to work as hard is a good one, plus you're pulling in fresh air. Just make sure you use a window on the opposite side from where you're exhausting.

[leadman]

I use a 20" box fan set up on a wooden contraption to suck the fumes away from me. It vents out thru the garage window and does a very good job. Maybe you could look into a similar fan as they move much more air than the bathroom vent fan. There is also a booster fan that goes in a HVAC duct that might work well for you.
Find some of the lead test kits from Home Depot and test the area around you. I wore a piece of aluminum plate around my neck on a wire while I was casting so I could test it for lead when I was done.
I don't know exactly why the lead spreads like gear said but I also found that to be true. Seems like about 3' to 5' away from the pot was the area where I picked up lead when I tested for it.

Might be a good thing to have your doctor test your blood for lead once a year.

[Vinne]

It looks good for now. Anyway, spring is just around the corner and you can go back to your open door policy.

[bangerjim]

Those bathroom vent fans are a joke. Mine do not even remove the farts! You need something that moves at least 500-800 cfm. Look into a squirrel cage type fan. Flat fans with blades do not move enough air, eppecailly those that are made for simple vent fans. And tryng to "push" air thru that small vent pipe will always be a problem. You need to put the fan outside and have it PULL the air out. Also if you are using "flaps" on your vent rather than open, that will restrict your airflow a lot.

Be careful casting in a closed room. Remember, when you suck the air out, you need to be able to replace it with that cold nasty air from out side! Just like leaving the garage door up!!!!!

Cold climates suck! I lived (survived) in Iowa and Michigan for almost 30 years. Now in AZ I can do almost anything outside year round.

banger

[geargnasher]

Mine pulls and has a flap closure that I go outside and open manually. I originally did that to reduce fan drone noise, and I guess it helped some vs. a kitchen-style overhead vent-a-hood, but not a whole lot. I looked at in-line fans when I started this project and didn't find anything affordable, but I've since heard of some booster fans from the home stores being less than $50 and they have 8" connections. That would be perfect for a casting setup.

What I'd try to do with what you have there is make a broader hood and use Lucite for a front side and window like a salad bar window.

Gear

[PalmettoShooter]

over the range vent hoods are the way to go. i got one for around $100, put it on the wall over my bullet master, and connected it to the vent for the heater I don't need since i have a damn 110 lb pot of molten lead heating up the place. it works great, and it has a light so i can see a little better if i need to. worked out great.

[dikman]

Assuming that it has horizontal fan blades, it will probably work better if the exhaust pipe is directly above it, rather than at right angles. Try to keep the pipe straight, with as few sharp bends as possible. And a bigger pipe will be better too.

[Fishman]

I flux well when making my ingots so I dont have to flux in my garage while casting. In the summer I'll turn in the window ac and cast without any exhaust. I'm sure someone will tell me how incredibly dangerous that is and how I will surely die in the next few days. That is why nobody who does that has posted to your thread, they don't want that hassle. Your vent hood is fine if it makes you feel better. Far more important to never eat, drink, or smoke while casting, wear protective clothing, and triple wash your hands with soap anytime you leave your casting station.

[engineer401]

Flex hose is very inefficient and not very durable. You may want to consider replacing it with galvanized rigid ducting.

[dikman]

Fishman, you'll surely die in the next few days.....or weeks....or months....or years :wink:. (There, I said it).

Donald, your basic idea is fine, but like most things it just needs tweaking a bit. Shift the pipe to the top, make a flared hood so it's wider than the pot to give a bigger catchment area and, as engineer said, straight pipe will be even better.

[geargnasher]

Ask Leadman about what he thought was safe at one time, and what he thinks now. Woke me right up. I'd always been careful, but when I built my new setup and started poking around with lead wipes in places a few feet from the pot where only airborne lead could deposit I started rethinking what I thought I knew was safe. I'm not trying to be a safety Nazi here, but really, the stuff gets into the air somehow and we are breathing well within that range when casting or at least when fluxing. Just use common sense and pay attention to the guys who've been poisoned. I'm sure that using Marvellux or kitty litter and not using a combustible reducant/flux would decrease the airborne lead risk considerably.

Gear

[DRNurse1]

Ask Leadman about what he thought was safe at one time, and what he thinks now. Woke me right up. I'd always been careful, but when I built my new setup and started poking around with lead wipes in places a few feet from the pot where only airborne lead could deposit I started rethinking what I thought I knew was safe. I'm not trying to be a safety Nazi here, but really, the stuff gets into the air somehow and we are breathing well within that range when casting or at least when fluxing. Just use common sense and pay attention to the guys who've been poisoned. I'm sure that using Marvellux or kitty litter and not using a combustible reducant/flux would decrease the airborne lead risk considerably.

Gear

Great advice from the engineering and safety departments. I wear my snow machine gear and cast in the garage door with the fan blowing out year around. FiL had an ENORMOUS vet bill from his dog licking up the lead dust around his casting area, so I have not finalized my home design. Those laminar air hoods are looking better each time I read about the 'issues' associated with indoor casting.

[donald150]

Thanks for all of the ideas.


I vented the pipe out the side because this bathroom fan was set up that way and im not sure the outlet on this cheap model can be moved.
I experimented a little more today with covering the sides with cardboard to direct the flow straight up and it worked well. I tossed in some wax and all of the smoke went up the pipe.

This "garage" is actually the house next door to me. It is not the house I live in. I bought it and removed all of the bed rooms and converted the back half into a "garage". My mom "hangs out" in the remaining portion. It has forced air heat and no windows in the garage area, just a roll up door and a entry door. (see pics below)





That being said, I'm not as concerned for myself as I am my Pregnant wife. As of right now she just doesn't go in there.

I need to get some of the lead wipes you guys are talking about so I can check and see how contaminated the place is.

I'm more worried about not being able to have the kid in there once its born than I am worried about myself.

At the most, I planned to use the lead pot a few times per year (indoors) for a few hours at a time. This would not be an every day thing.

I am also wondering how far the lead travels. Do I need to be concerned with just my work bench area or the entire structure? I seen someone said 3-5'. Would a standard furnace filter trap the lead or would it even make it that far?

The "garage" area has an epoxy covered floor and a (covered) pool table. If the floor were swept and mopped, would it be safe to let a child crawl around on or would it still be too contaminated? Would I just be spreading the lead around by mopping it?

Iv'e only ran the lead pot indoors twice now, so I guess it shouldn't be too late to scrap the whole idea and just carry the pot outside if I must.

Couple of pictures so you can see what I mean:




Your looking at what used to be 2 of the bed rooms and the hallway. The open door leads to the living room, kitchen,dining room.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii184/donald150/20130413_130141_zps914b1155.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/donald150/media/20130413_130141_zps914b1155.jpg.html)


My workshop area used to be the 3rd bed room and the garage door is directly behind me in this picture.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii184/donald150/20130824_194004_zps7356e8fc.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/donald150/media/20130824_194004_zps7356e8fc.jpg.html)


I don't normally have a car in there. I was just working on this one.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii184/donald150/20130914_142212_zpsb0e8ac52.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/donald150/media/20130914_142212_zpsb0e8ac52.jpg.html)

[wistlepig1]

In my area we have construction salvage places, everything from used 2x4's to to steel buildings. I think I will look for used kitchen hood/ fan combo's. You might check your area yellowbook for salvage place like the one in my area, most of the thing I have gotten has been 30% or less of New!
just a suggestion, martin

[BACKTOSHOOTING]

In my area we have construction salvage places, everything from used 2x4's to to steel buildings. I think I will look for used kitchen hood/ fan combo's. You might check your area yellowbook for salvage place like the one in my area, most of the thing I have gotten has been 30% or less of New!
just a suggestion, martin

Check your local Craigs list under free every so offten also.
Steve

[bobthenailer]

Ive been casting boolets inside my house for over 30 years ( over 200,000 made), usually only in the month of Febuary with proper ventlation as i use a system somewhat the same principal as yours and have my blood checked every year. you will have no problems as long as you abide with the normal saftey rules.

[TES]

http://imageshack.us/a/img843/7771/3wyv.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img819/9966/52ek.jpg


Bullet baker

http://imageshack.us/a/img856/966/h28w.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img198/3575/uhlb.JPG


Bullet Maker

[Dan Cash]

I used a couple bathroom exhaust fans in my set up. They both burned up shortly. The motor needs to be out of the heat stream as with a squirrel cage fan. Tried a squirrel cage set up from a room heater which kind of worked but too little volume. Went to an electric motor rebuild outfit and bought a squirrel cage set up from a trailer house furnace. That is the cat's meow. Sucks all the smoke up the pipe, motor stays cool.

[LAH]

I flux well when making my ingots so I dont have to flux in my garage while casting. In the summer I'll turn in the window ac and cast without any exhaust. I'm sure someone will tell me how incredibly dangerous that is and how I will surely die in the next few days. That is why nobody who does that has posted to your thread, they don't want that hassle. Your vent hood is fine if it makes you feel better. Far more important to never eat, drink, or smoke while casting, wear protective clothing, and triple wash your hands with soap anytime you leave your casting station.

I more or less do things the same way. The danger is in the dust. Casting temperatures will cause no problems with clean alloy. Remember to clean your area by wiping with a damp cloth, not sweeping. I'm well over 10 tons cast & my levels have never been over 5, in fact mostly 3.

[John in WI]

I think a better fan will be in my future but I am hoping this will work for now. That is the cheapest fan that home depot sells.

Now that the pipe is installed, upgrading the fan will be the easy part later.

That looks pretty good to me. I built a similar looking little spray booth for air-brushing stuff (I kept it in cardboard as there was no heat involved). I had to upgrade and run the booth both with the bathroom fan, and a larger squirrel cage fan I picked up for cheap from Grainger. It was a bit noisy, but you could barely smell solvents with the setup. Can you get another bathroom fan, and just run them in tandem?

Good work thinking about safety though--I do a lot of soldering while I'm fixing electronics around the lab, and the curl of smoke from the rosin core always seems to blow right in my face. At my work area I have a hood, but often times the repairs are wedged behind rack mounts or under optics tables where the ventilation is non-existent. Maybe that's why I'm so stoopid:confused:

[dikman]

John, many years ago, when I was involved in installing telephone exchanges, I used to spend hours sitting in front of racks soldering untold numbers of wires. I often wonder about all the flux from the rosin-cored solder that I breathed.........

[MtGun44]

What bob said. . . . . +1

Bill

[bearcove]

Won't work its WAY TO CLEAN!


Thanks for all of the ideas.


I vented the pipe out the side because this bathroom fan was set up that way and im not sure the outlet on this cheap model can be moved.
I experimented a little more today with covering the sides with cardboard to direct the flow straight up and it worked well. I tossed in some wax and all of the smoke went up the pipe.

This "garage" is actually the house next door to me. It is not the house I live in. I bought it and removed all of the bed rooms and converted the back half into a "garage". My mom "hangs out" in the remaining portion. It has forced air heat and no windows in the garage area, just a roll up door and a entry door. (see pics below)





That being said, I'm not as concerned for myself as I am my Pregnant wife. As of right now she just doesn't go in there.

I need to get some of the lead wipes you guys are talking about so I can check and see how contaminated the place is.

I'm more worried about not being able to have the kid in there once its born than I am worried about myself.

At the most, I planned to use the lead pot a few times per year (indoors) for a few hours at a time. This would not be an every day thing.

I am also wondering how far the lead travels. Do I need to be concerned with just my work bench area or the entire structure? I seen someone said 3-5'. Would a standard furnace filter trap the lead or would it even make it that far?

The "garage" area has an epoxy covered floor and a (covered) pool table. If the floor were swept and mopped, would it be safe to let a child crawl around on or would it still be too contaminated? Would I just be spreading the lead around by mopping it?

Iv'e only ran the lead pot indoors twice now, so I guess it shouldn't be too late to scrap the whole idea and just carry the pot outside if I must.

Couple of pictures so you can see what I mean:




Your looking at what used to be 2 of the bed rooms and the hallway. The open door leads to the living room, kitchen,dining room.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii184/donald150/20130413_130141_zps914b1155.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/donald150/media/20130413_130141_zps914b1155.jpg.html)


My workshop area used to be the 3rd bed room and the garage door is directly behind me in this picture.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii184/donald150/20130824_194004_zps7356e8fc.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/donald150/media/20130824_194004_zps7356e8fc.jpg.html)


I don't normally have a car in there. I was just working on this one.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii184/donald150/20130914_142212_zpsb0e8ac52.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/donald150/media/20130914_142212_zpsb0e8ac52.jpg.html)

[Advil]

I started with that fan you have there when I was working out in our barn. It was ok in an environment that open but totally inadequate indoors. Went through a couple more fans then found this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Suncourt-6-in-Duct-Fan-with-More-Powerful-Motor-DB6GTP/202797339#

This thing moves some air and doesn't cost too much.

You'll need to find the 6" version of the telescoping duct someplace. The advantage is you can just hang the end of the big dryer duct right over the pot and it's wide enough to pick up everything.

They can deliver the fan to a local Home Depot with no shipping if you don't mind waiting a week.

Do it. Don't screw around with poor ventilation.

[snuffy]

My question to the OP and others is; what or who has you so scared of lead? I keep seeing so many fear stories, OCD stories, about lead "fumes" indoors when casting boolits. Lead vapor,(what most are so concerned about), is only generated above 1200 degrees. Some say that is 1000 degrees. Our thermostatically controlled electric pots don't go much over 900 degrees. So it's just the smoke you're worried about? It's NOT pleasant to breath, but it won't kill you!

Maybe I'm about to fall over from lead poisoning, according to the fixes I see some doing to eliminate smoke. I cast in my reloading room, in the summer I can have windows open, but winter time not so much, they have to remain closed. It gets foggy in there. I live alone, so no wifey to itch-bay, no kids to worry about. I DO have my lead-blood levels tested annually, never have been above 7.

[6bg6ga]

I cast in the garage in the spring, summer, and fall of the year. I have both the double door and the single car doors wide open when I cast. I catch heck
(note no profanity or 4 letter words in this post. Been busted for a 3 and 4 letter word that rhymes with hit and grass in a prior post because it was deamed as profanity)

With all due respect I consider casting in the house as extremely dumb. The smell is going to linger for quite a while after your finished casting. The smell can get into the sheet rock and in carpeting. Your going to have to have a air draw that is better than that of a floor fan in order to remove the toxic smell and poisons.

[K-Rod]

I cast in the garage in the spring, summer, and fall of the year. I have both the double door and the single car doors wide open when I cast. I catch heck
(note no profanity or 4 letter words in this post. Been busted for a 3 and 4 letter word that rhymes with hit and grass in a prior post because it was deamed as profanity)

With all due respect I consider casting in the house as extremely dumb. The smell is going to linger for quite a while after your finished casting. The smell can get into the sheet rock and in carpeting. Your going to have to have a air draw that is better than that of a floor fan in order to remove the toxic smell and poisons.

I'm sorry but I disagree with this. The reason you are "catching heck" is because you don't have a proper draft working for you. Opening both doors in your garage doesn't give you a good draft. Think of a Wood Stove. Open the Flu & the smoke is forced out. I'd bet when you flux, all the smoke hangs out near the ceiling of your garage & some of it but not all, drifts out the doors.

I cast in my sun lit basement. My casting bench is right under a window with a box fan in the window right behind my casting pots. The box fan doesn't take up the whole window so I have a piece of wood covering up the rest of the window next to the box fan. When the fan is turned on, it sucks the fumes & smoke right out the window. The trick is I crack one of the other windows in the room about an inch or two. This depresurizes the room & creates a "Draft" like in a wood stove. The best way to see if you have a proper draft is to drop some wax in your pot. If the smoke is sucked out the window, so are all the nasty fumes.

[6bg6ga]

It doesn't make good sense to me to cast indoors. Not to bright to have an object that puts out close to 1000 degrees of heat close to combustable material. I'm sure your home owners insurance wouldn't look kindly at casting indoors.

[725]

I use a range hood built on a three sided stand, sealed to the table top. Vented outside with a booster fan. Hood is as close to the pot as was comfortable / acceptable for adding more lead. I wipe the area with a soap rag, once in awhile, and throw the rag away. Use gloves which I toss as they age. I get my blood tested once a year and have no problems at all. I'm actually down in the low normal range. I also cast in an open garage with a pedestal fan venting when the weather permits. Both systems seem to be working.

[6bg6ga]

I use a range hood built on a three sided stand, sealed to the table top. Vented outside with a booster fan. Hood is as close to the pot as was comfortable / acceptable for adding more lead. I wipe the area with a soap rag, once in awhile, and throw the rag away. Use gloves which I toss as they age. I get my blood tested once a year and have no problems at all. I'm actually down in the low normal range. I also cast in an open garage with a pedestal fan venting when the weather permits. Both systems seem to be working.

I have no problem with casting in the garage. I do have to pull the stupid chain when people cast indoors and put their home, belongings, family, and pets at risk. This is why I purchased the Mark IV so that I am able to produce a boat load of bullets when the garage is warm enough in the spring, summer, and fall of the year. I have enough to shoot without worry for 2 years and without casting again.

[K-Rod]

I have no problem with casting in the garage. I do have to pull the stupid chain when people cast indoors and put their home, belongings, family, and pets at risk. This is why I purchased the Mark IV so that I am able to produce a boat load of bullets when the garage is warm enough in the spring, summer, and fall of the year. I have enough to shoot without worry for 2 years and without casting again.

Maybe you are right. Maybe it is "stupid" for me to cast in my well ventilated concrete floor basement, but I do have enough common sense to make sure all the Gasoline, Propane tanks for camping, White Gas & Kerosene & other "Combustible" material are out in the garage where they belong. At least thats where us Rednecks keep that stuff. Maybe City Folk keep it somewhere different. I don't know? It's ok though. My home owners covers my garage as well as my house.

I still disagree with you but if you follow how I explained about getting a draft going in your garage, you won't smoke out the house & "catch heck" with the wife. You can thank me later after you get over being bitter because someone disagreed with you & see that I'm right.

[6bg6ga]

Maybe you are right. Maybe it is "stupid" for me to cast in my well ventilated concrete floor basement, but I do have enough common sense to make sure all the Gasoline, Propane tanks for camping, White Gas & Kerosene & other "Combustible" material are out in the garage where they belong. At least thats where us Rednecks keep that stuff. Maybe City Folk keep it somewhere different. I don't know? It's ok though. My home owners covers my garage as well as my house.

I still disagree with you but if you follow how I explained about getting a draft going in your garage, you won't smoke out the house & "catch heck" with the wife. You can thank me later after you get over being bitter because someone disagreed with you & see that I'm right.

I'm glad your smart enough to have remove the combustible liquids and gas from your basement. That is step #1. Step two would be to cast in an environment that was safer like the garage or an out building.

For the record....I'm not bitter about anything and certainly not because someone lacking common sense disagreed with me. When its all said and done my home will be free of any contaminents.

As the old saying goes ...you can take a horse to water but you can't make them drink. I guess you simply cannot make a red neck adopt common sense.

[rodsvet]

Merry Christmas Joe!! Don't forget to put that Mark IV in your will to me! Rod

[TES]

I'm glad your smart enough to have remove the combustible liquids and gas from your basement. That is step #1. Step two would be to cast in an environment that was safer like the garage or an out building.

For the record....I'm not bitter about anything and certainly not because someone lacking common sense disagreed with me. When its all said and done my home will be free of any contaminents.

As the old saying goes ...you can take a horse to water but you can't make them drink. I guess you simply cannot make a red neck adopt common sense.

Isn't that a camaro in your drive way????!

[6bg6ga]

Isn't that a camaro in your drive way????!

Actually its a supercharged Z-28 but I don't cast in it either.

[snuffy]

[QUOTE=6bg6ga;2538319]I'm glad your smart enough to have remove the combustible liquids and gas from your basement. That is step #1. Step two would be to cast in an environment that was safer like the garage or an out building.

For the record....I'm not bitter about anything and certainly not because someone lacking common sense disagreed with me. When its all said and done my home will be free of any contaminants.

Good for you! Your home is free from that extremely toxic, dangerous lead.

As the old saying goes ...you can take a horse to water but you can't make them drink. I guess you simply cannot make a red neck adopt common sense.
Apparently you just don't get it, some of us cast indoors WITHOUT any problems. You saying we're stupid does not make your case for you.[/QUOTE

I guess that makes me a red-neck. I think that's a compliment. Us red-necks have a different way of thinking. What don't kill us just makes us stronger.

Just get rid of the EPA prophets-of-doom thinking, get on with your life.

[6bg6ga]

[QUOTE=6bg6ga;2538319]I'm glad your smart enough to have remove the combustible liquids and gas from your basement. That is step #1. Step two would be to cast in an environment that was safer like the garage or an out building.

For the record....I'm not bitter about anything and certainly not because someone lacking common sense disagreed with me. When its all said and done my home will be free of any contaminants.

Good for you! Your home is free from that extremely toxic, dangerous lead.

As the old saying goes ...you can take a horse to water but you can't make them drink. I guess you simply cannot make a red neck adopt common sense.
Apparently you just don't get it, some of us cast indoors WITHOUT any problems. You saying we're stupid does not make your case for you.[/QUOTE

I guess that makes me a red-neck. I think that's a compliment. Us red-necks have a different way of thinking. What don't kill us just makes us stronger.

Just get rid of the EPA prophets-of-doom thinking, get on with your life.


My suggestion to you is put down the moonshine and let your brain clear up. I'm more worried about the combustable surrounding in the basement than I am about the EPA ramifications of casting indoors. My logic is this.....my casting in the garage puts me away from the walls and materials that are combustable unlike casting inside a wooden enclosure or casting near wooden walls and ceilings of a basement. When you consider than some here own drip-a-matic casting pots the possibility of having a river of lead come out increases. My Mark IV doesn't drip or I wouldn't consider casting in my garage.

Peace..................Merry Christmas


Rod,

Your on the list for my reloading equipment when I kick the bucket.

[jsizemore]

It doesn't make good sense to me to cast indoors. Not to bright to have an object that puts out close to 1000 degrees of heat close to combustable material. I'm sure your home owners insurance wouldn't look kindly at casting indoors.

What about a gas or fuel oil furnace in your house, crawlspace or attic? Insurance companies see them as OK as long as safety margins are maintained to combustables. Can't a casting pot be placed far enough from combustables to satisfy these requirements?

[cbrick]

I'll bet 6bg6ga has a high opinion of me, I've been casting for decades and have yet to cast a single boolit in a garage or outside.

Somehow and I really can't imagine how it's possible but somehow . . . I have yet to cause a single fire! Not one fire! Ever! I just don't understand how that could be. I guess my brain just hasn't cleared up and I have no common sense. And to make matters even worse everything is so contaminated that my blood lead levels year after year test in the low adult normal range.

Oh wait, I know what it is . . . Nobody has pulled my stupid chain.

6bg6ga by insulting everyone that posts isn't going to get you any place. Your casting set up is as you like it and that's a good thing but just because your way is what your comfortable with does not mean everyone and anyone that does it different is fool.

Rick

[snuffy]

I'll bet 6bg6ga has a high opinion of me, I've been casting for decades and have yet to cast a single boolit in a garage or outside.

Somehow and I really can't imagine how it's possible but somehow . . . I have yet to cause a single fire! Not one fire! Ever! I just don't understand how that could be. I guess my brain just hasn't cleared up and I have no common sense. And to make matters even worse everything is so contaminated that my blood lead levels year after year test in the low adult normal range.

Oh wait, I know what it is . . . Nobody has pulled my stupid chain.

6bg6ga by insulting everyone that posts isn't going to get you any place. Your casting set up is as you like it and that's a good thing but just because your way is what your comfortable with does not mean everyone and anyone that does it different is fool.

Rick

Thanks Rick, I just wish I could write as clearly as you do.

As a matter of fact, I only had moonshine once, it was legal stuff called ever clear. Nasty ****, but I never liked whiskey anyway. As for now, last August was 30 years sober, so my head is pretty clear concerning the effects of alcohol.

What Rick said in spades! If how you do it works good for you, by all means keep it up. I see no location in your profile, but I bet it is not anywhere near the upper tier of states. I could not cast in my garage except maybe mid may to Sept. I refuse to be restrained to those months, that's when the garden takes most of my time and energy.

Calling me a drunk, or just plain stupid is coming out as a desperate measure to re-enforce your shaky stand. Keep on doing what you're doing, and have a merry CHRISTmas!

[K-Rod]

[QUOTE=snuffy;2539030]


My suggestion to you is put down the moonshine and let your brain clear up. I'm more worried about the combustable surrounding in the basement than I am about the EPA ramifications of casting indoors. My logic is this.....my casting in the garage puts me away from the walls and materials that are combustable unlike casting inside a wooden enclosure or casting near wooden walls and ceilings of a basement. When you consider than some here own drip-a-matic casting pots the possibility of having a river of lead come out increases. My Mark IV doesn't drip or I wouldn't consider casting in my
Peace..................Merry Christmas


Rod,

Your on the list for my reloading equipment when I kick the bucket.

That was completely out of line & actually quite childish. I simpliy tried to give you some pointers on how to get a draft going to clear your garage & you go on an insult tangent to anyone who disagreed with you. Having over 1200+ posts & Bullet Master title doesn't give you the right to be disrespectful.

Maybe you should take your awesome Supercharged Z-28 for a drive & clear your head before responding to a thread from now on. Keep going the way you are, ain't nobody here going to respect you or your opinion.

Snuffy, Congrats on 30 years Brother.

[RoGrrr]

I pick up any/all vacuum cleaner hose people discard and I duct tape/splice it together and run some of it thru the basement floor joists as a vent to the outside. I also have a canister vacuum cleaner. It draws well and I hung it in the rafters above my milling machine (in my basement) with some hose coming down to very near the milling cutter. Doing a heavy cut on metal with oil on the workpiece, stinky smoke is generated. Since I have the mill in the basement, the smoke permeated the house but the vacuum solved that problem. I happen to like the smell of
cutting lubricant as well as gunpowder smoke in the house so it doesn't bother me. Also, I don't have a wife to gripe about it, either.
I will have my Boolit Master in the same shop where my mill is and will be using the same vacuum cleaner/smoke extractor to remove the smoke.
Most metalworking shops are fairly fire-resistant (NOTHING is fire proof so I won't go there) so casting should not be a problem in that room, be it in the basement, bedroom or garage. I have no qualms about casting under my kitchen, especially since my pot will be PID controlled to about 700*. Having smelted my range scrap and WWs into clean ingots, there shouldn't be much smoke. All the smelting was done in the garage with the doors open to get the stink out. The one thing I ruled out is bringing my welder into the house. I leave it in the garage with a complete metal surround and overhead guard and a clean, uncluttered concrete floor within reach of any sparks generated.
Bottom line, I'm not worried about lead fumes or fires in the house.

[K-Rod]

I pick up any/all vacuum cleaner hose people discard and I duct tape/splice it together and run some of it thru the basement floor joists as a vent to the outside. I also have a canister vacuum cleaner. It draws well and I hung it in the rafters above my milling machine (in my basement) with some hose coming down to very near the milling cutter. Doing a heavy cut on metal with oil on the workpiece, stinky smoke is generated. Since I have the mill in the basement, the smoke permeated the house but the vacuum solved that problem. I happen to like the smell of
cutting lubricant as well as gunpowder smoke in the house so it doesn't bother me. Also, I don't have a wife to gripe about it, either.
I will have my Boolit Master in the same shop where my mill is and will be using the same vacuum cleaner/smoke extractor to remove the smoke.
Most metalworking shops are fairly fire-resistant (NOTHING is fire proof so I won't go there) so casting should not be a problem in that room, be it in the basement, bedroom or garage. I have no qualms about casting under my kitchen, especially since my pot will be PID controlled to about 700*. Having smelted my range scrap and WWs into clean ingots, there shouldn't be much smoke. All the smelting was done in the garage with the doors open to get the stink out. The one thing I ruled out is bringing my welder into the house. I leave it in the garage with a complete metal surround and overhead guard and a clean, uncluttered concrete floor within reach of any sparks generated.
Bottom line, I'm not worried about lead fumes or fires in the house.


I got lucky & found a GREAT woman that was into the same things as me, so I married her. That being said, I remember the "Bachlor" life & though I love my wife, I do miss it sometimes!!! I remember rebuilding 34 dirtbike engines on my kitchen counter & parking the bikes in the living room. I didn't have the Cutting Oil "Potpourri" but I did have the Racing Fuel one. I keep trying to convince her that its better then Fresh Linen but she's not going for it!

[glicerin]

X2 squirrel cage and inlet source. Your motor and fan blades will eventually be coated with wax, stop drawing and become a fire hazard. I have to remove the squirrel cage and clean every 2 years. The lead in your pistol primers(fine dust) is more of a threat to you. be safe.

[LAH]

I kept saying I'm not getting in this as others will say what need be said but I can hold back no longer. Your fault Rick.


been casting for decades and have yet to cast a single boolit in a garage or outside.
+1



Somehow and I really can't imagine how it's possible but somehow . . . I have yet to cause a single fire! Not one fire! Ever!
+1


And to make matters even worse everything is so contaminated that my blood lead levels year after year test in the low adult normal range.
+1, mine is 3.


Oh wait, I know what it is . . . Nobody has pulled my stupid chain.
Now my side is hurtin'. You da man Rick.

[dikman]

It seems to me that if common-sense is applied to setting up for casting inside, particularly with regard to inflammable materials, then there's no reason that it should be any more dangerous than other hobbies. In fact, if you're using an electric pot it is inherently safe as there is no naked flame. As glicerin said, fans will clog up with wax, but only if you use wax for fluxing in the casting pot. Smelting, of course, is another issue entirely!!

[fcvan]

My indoor casting setup will include a range hood, directed outside air source, a sheet metal surface under the pot, and dedicated light to the casting area. I stopped fluxing with wax after learning that wood chips/sawdust/used ground walnut works very well. (Another useful tip from this site) I've cast outdoors, albeit in a covered area, for decades. Casting indoors will be the ticket for the really cold days when the wind is howling. My current casting setup is very portable and very clean. My goal is to make a casting station that replicates the ergonomics of my portable setup in the shop my wife and youngest daughter built for me for Christmas. I poured the slab a while ago, they finished it while I was out west for a spell. Women folk can be sneaky! Ok, us guys can be sneaky to, I built her AR while I was out west. Someday soon I hope to post pictures.

[Regnar]

I have a blower from an RV furnace I'm looking to install. Too many projects right now, but promise to upload a picture soon.

[donald150]

Well my setup is working ok for now but I plan on adding 1 or 2 more fans or picking up a more powerful blower.