Cutting lead

I was in the shed using a large old chisel and hammer cutting the lead into strips and I just looked over in the corner and the electric stone grinder we use for sharpening tools was sitting there and all of a sudden I taught why use the chisel so what I done was bend the lead into halves hammer it where its bent till its thinner take it to the grinder turn her on and just run the thinner hammered down side across the grinder once or twice then its all a matter of tearing the lead like paper and drop her into the melting pot.

By the way I would suggest the use of gloves goggles etc, have the grinder shields down and any other safety equipment which will keep you away from harm full injury's..........

Or if you don't have a grinder, you can cut it as follows if it's the type of lead used by roofers:

Make a deep score with a stanley knife, doing this with the lead on a piece of wood on the ground while standing on the larger part makes it safer.
Turn it over and bend along the score a few times and then tear it off.

.... best way Adrian. Though , I have a grinder, must give it a go.

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! :shock: :shock: :shock:

I do melt a bit down sometimes but it is dangerous stuff. If you grind it, you will be producing lead dust and particles, which you may not even be able to see, but you can inhale.

Been surfing and found the following:-
Workers engaged in maintenance activities such as grinding, cutting, drilling and debris clean-up are at serious risk of exposure and lead poisoning. Populations immediately downwind from these activities may be inadvertently exposed to lead dust if proper dust reduction and containment methods are not used.

Workers in radiator repair shops can be exposed to unsafe amounts of lead. Fumes from soldering often contain more lead than the legal limit. When workers are tested, the amount of lead in their blood is sometimes higher than is safe.
Working all day in a workplace contaminated with lead can cause health problems. These problems may become permanent if safety measures aren't taken. The nervous system, blood, intestines, kidneys and the reproductive system can be damaged. The early signs of lead poisoning are the same as everyday sicknesses. Watch for headaches, tiredness, bad temper, pain in the joints, aching muscles, stomach pains and constipation.
When workers go home without washing or changing their clothes, they may expose their families to lead dust. Pregnant women and children under six are particularly susceptible to the health effects of lead. There is concern that exposure to low levels of lead can affect intellectual development, behaviour, physical size and hearing in children prior to birth, during infancy and early childhood


It's all a bit over the top for the occasional melter, but probably cutting lead is better than grinding - keep the windows open as well!!
Better safe than sorry :)
Tim

Be very careful with a bench grinder and Lead or just as dangerous, Aluminium. Because the metal is soft there is an excellent chance of it getting caught on the stone and dragging your fingers in. Much safer to invest a couple of Euros in a sheet metal snips. Or if you're really pressed, use a pair of garden shears. Whatever, be very wary of the grinder. You may have difficulty ordering 5 pints with one hand. :roll:

could uese a pair hedge clippers thats wath i uese
fast as cutting paper and just as easy
that grinder sounds abit dodgy STANLEY KNIFES no way/fingers/blood''''''/[.
even a large sissors works

By the way I would suggest the use of gloves goggles etc, have the grinder shields down and any other safety equipment which will keep you away from harm full injury's or inhalations....

oh yeah also invest in a good mask which will keep out the fumes dust etc also invest in a lead proof suit and some appliance which will clean you thoroughly from head to toe before you come in contact with any humans or anything else alive..........

Fisher men all over the world are exposed to all sorts of danger such as deep water high tides................................I could go on and on.....

The way I look the grinder was only a suggestion it works and I do wear a mask etc so if Tim doesn't dint feel safe about it that's cool but I would never have the arrogance to post a message telling everyone not to do what another angler suggests as a suggestion is a suggestion.....

There is a reason why workers in various lead factorys wasnt allowed to eat in working clothes. LEAD is really f***ing dangerous and you shouldnt mess around with it.

You might say today.. ahh sod off!! i've been doing this for some time now and im fine..

I'll reply... well are you really??


dont cut it with a grinder, do as adrian said; its much safer and you kids can enjoy many more fun-filled years with their father.

I'd say just don't do it on the boat and don't hit anyone with the lead when you chuck it out .

BTW I'm not intending in any way to belittle the grief the industry caused to workers & environment .

Getting a bit heated , this one , innit ? I reckon you should always carry a good Moderator , just in case !
n/

I have an aluminium sheers and its perfect. although as poa/ suggested, the hedge clippers work equally well in cutting, only drawback being the curved blades on them make it slightly awkward.

I think you should nearly be as cautious about where your lead is coming from as you are about the possible poisoning from using the stuff.
I used to get lead that was from underground gas pipes. Used it for a while and soon noticed i didnt feel the best afterwards. Didnt put the two together until the blow torch ignited a small pocket of gass trapped in a small length of the pipe. Stopped using the source and now just use flashing lead and the like, basically any lead that i know is from a safe source.
Anyways, just be aware what your lead has been used for.

I know the dangers of lead and I just taught I would mention the grinder thing if I offended anyone by my remark im sorry just got my wires crossed and Ill take it back if anyone got upset.

Hi Neilus
You certainly don't need to apologize, that's down to me. My advice could well have been taken the wrong way, appeared arrogant and I apologize for that. :oops:
I typed it up in a panic and the heading was meant to be humorous, not dictatorial at all. I really was a bit concerned about lead inhalation which may result from what I am sure was your well intended advice. I may well be over the top on this anyway, I'm no expert.

One good thing - at least we've got some publicity for the dangers :) :)
Tim

The reason we use lead is because it is heavy for its size....
I would therefore assume that heavy metals like uranium & plutonium would make even better weights so then we would have no need to use lead and thus do away with having to cut it in the toolshed.

Brilliant :D

the likes of tinsnips are handy as well if using lead sheet.

Going to a lot of trouble to cut some lead sheet.

If its same as the thin sheet builders use for roofing etc, i've always found a good strong pair of scissors worked wonders, even better when her indoors isn't around :wink: not the plastic handle type scissors though :lol:

A quick and easy way of making some weights for spinning sandeels etc is to cut strips of lead about 2" wide, then just bend over the line above a swivel and cut to your desired size.

By they way guys melting the lead gives off toxic fumes also.

I make my own weights, wheather it be pipe or sheet lead. I use a wooden block and a small axe, No dust. I agree lead is dangerous. Gloves and a mask while cutting and melting.
Roll up the sheet lead then cut with axe. It does not need to be pretty it will still melt
dingbat

agree with dingbat keep it simple. try to melt and mould outdoors watch the weather if it rains you could end up with freckles

Run of the mill wire snips or an aviation snips..............

The latter actually " folds" the lead out of the way as u cut , if u know what i mean

Hello Lads.
A strong wooden block and a small axe

Wear gloves, cover any cuts in the hand

Gloves Mask and goggles when melting

Why not take the cave man approach and get a big f*** axe and a heavy block of wood and chop off what you need i have been doing this for years.