Precautions/Safety Gear for Casting

CourtenayBoy

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I am almost ready to start casting some .45 acp and I am wondering what people do to stay safe both from hot metal and lead exposure.

I am thinking heavy coveralls, a full face shield, welders gloves and maybe even a vapor mask, as well as do it out side or on my workbench with the garage door open.
 
Make sure there are no sources of splashing/spraying/dripping liquids. If water or other liquids gets into the molten lead it will explode. That's not a joke, you'll have molten lead flying everywhere.

Don't use anything you plan to use for other things, have dedicated lead equipment, don't cast lead in your kitchen or near food preparation surfaces.

If you're really paranoid, have a dedicated casting outfit includin shoes, and shower afterwards.

If you don't you may develop urges to conquer large parts of Europe.

Watch out for flammable things, such as papers that might ignite or jerrycans that might burn down your garage.
 
I am almost ready to start casting some .45 acp and I am wondering what people do to stay safe both from hot metal and lead exposure.

I am thinking heavy coveralls, a full face shield, welders gloves and maybe even a vapor mask, as well as do it out side or on my workbench with the garage door open.


This can happen....heres my advice: dont let this happen !


Be safe and the payoff is in spades....


DSC00037_zpsc2f98f11.jpg
 
Opening a garage door is good but at times the air/fumes may circulate around for a while before decipitating due to the way air may pass over or around the house. I would recomend the use of a respirator with the appropriate gas/fume cartridges. You can also build a fume hood and exhaust the fumes directly outside.

Get Lyman's Cast Bullet book. Best resource available. I also have a 182 page pdf. for From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners.
 
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Opening a garage door is good but at times the air/fumes may circulate around for a while before decipitating due to the way air may pass over or around the house. I would recomend the use of a respirator with the appropriate gas/fume cartridges. You can also build a fume hood and exhaust the fumes directly outside.

Get Lyman's Cast Bullet book. Best resource available. I also have a 182 page pdf. for From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners.

Any chance you can give me a copy or is it something i need to purchase?
 
Wear only natural fibres or materials that are not going to melt on you. A leather apron isn't a bad idea. Same for all equipment and flooring where you are working. Cover the cuffs of your boots or shoes so things can't drop in.

Be sure there is no water that could get into the melt. Not adding to already melted material helps. By starting off with an empty pot water can evaporate as the pot heats up before the lead melts.

The tinsel fairy will always be just around the corner and the video shows a fairly serious example of what can happen. It doesn't take much for a drip or 2 to land on your lap or splash on your arm. Its pretty well bound to happen eventually. I pick a few spots of lead off my clothes pretty well every time I cast. Cover up and do everything delibrately - concentrate. Don't have any distractions or edibles in the area.

Once you've done it a couple times its like chopping onions. Pretty mundane till you stop watching what you are doing then it hurts a little or a lot depending on the slip-up.
 
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