Mask/Filter for working with lead?

bluemike807

bluemike807

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I work with lead enough that I'd like to get some kind of ventilator/mask/etc for use - any professionals out there who can recommend something easily picked up at a hardware store but suitable for the fumes associated with lead/wheelweights?
 
Stay away from respirators like some of the cheap crap you can get out there. Go to a place like Acklands Grainger and buy a reputable brand.

North, Survivair and MSA all make quality respirators. For a cartrige you will want a set of P100 cartridges for the lead. I seem to remember that wheel weights have something else in them but I think it should still be good to go with the P100 though because it should be metallic. Might want to research that one a bit futher though...

A respirator is only as good as the fit and when it's properly used. A place like acklands should have a safety specialist that can give you some training and ideally a fit test.
 
A mask isnt all that necessary, just dont cast inside or an in-closed space, ex. the garage with the big door closed. with that been said.. an exhaust fan hooked up and putting the melter near it would do, kinda like what u would use for welding. If i do some casting, i do it under cover and with good ventilation, ether out side or right near the door in a car port or patio.
 
It's not impossible to intake lead from melting/fumes, but it seems unlikely for most.

Getting lead in your mouth from touching it with your hands then eating, or inhaling the dust out of a tumbler that has cleaned lead styphnate primed (most primers) cases along with extensive indoor range shooting (inhaling lead styphnate from most primers again) are much more likely to be the possible problem.

If I was thought it was a problem I would have my Doctor do a blood test to check my lead levels then go from there.
 
The only time we see huge lead levels airborne is if it's boiling. If you only bring it to the melting point exposure will be minimal. I have no hands on experience casting bullets but I would suggest only using as much heat as necessary to keep/make the lead liquid.

The points about cross contamination and ingestion are valid. Also consider the surfaces that might get contaminated and consider how often you touch those when you're not actually casting lead. That will likely be the time that it will get on your hands and you won't think to wash your hands thouroughly because you weren't doing lead work.
 
I cast bullets outdoors under an umbrella. I try to get all my bullet casting done in the summer. The smoke coming off WW is usually the painted clip and lube used to remove and replace tires. Don't breath in the dust out of your melting pot and don't eat or smoke with lead contamination on your hands and you should be good to go without a respirator. Oh stand up wind of your melting pot.
I've probably cast 50000 bullets, everything from 124gr 9mm to 500 gr for my 45/70.
The place to be concerned about respirators is when shooting said cast bullets in poorly ventilated ranges.
 
mckutzy said:
A mask isnt all that necessary, just dont cast inside or an in-closed space, ex. the garage with the big door closed. with that been said.. an exhaust fan hooked up and putting the melter near it would do, kinda like what u would use for welding. If i do some casting, i do it under cover and with good ventilation, ether out side or right near the door in a car port or patio.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

I've done most of my casting inside my garage with the door open. After 2 years of doing a LOT of melting down wheel weights into ingots and bullet casting, I had my lead level tested. The doc asked why I wanted that tested. I pulled out a couple of cast bullets and put them on his desk. He picked them up and asked what they were. I explained to him what they were..how they're made, etc. We then got into a long discussion about his time in the army in South Africa. At any rate, he sent me for the test.

My "score" was 0.4 mg/dl
The U.S. national average...not bullet casters...just the average guy walking down the street was 2.5 mg/dl. I'm 1/6th of that number. Never worried about it again.
 
I have never had a issue with the lead, im not near the fumes when melted and I usualy wear gloves, even then wash my hands after a casting session. The only issue I have had was my mother had got my sis and me tested after my grandma's house was suspected of have lead paint. like what blacksmithden said, we were fine, theres more problems from the air than casting boolits.
 
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