Casting bullets in basement
- Thread starter KY DAN
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Old Stumpy
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I think that you can get pretty paranoid about casting bullets, but casting in your basement should be avoided if possible.
I cast in the garage on a small bench with an electric pot in the spring, summer, and fall.
It avoids any fumes from gas burners.
These days the cost of a Lee electric pot is so cheap that anyone can afford one and it eliminates any fire risk.
If you claim that you can't, well then you also can't afford guns, a range membership, a car to get to the range, vehicle insurance, and gas to drive there.
Just leave the overhead door open and move your vehicle back. A box fan to exhaust any fumes is also a good idea.
But a hazmat suit and separate oxygen supply isn't required.
Neither is an exhaustive search for pointed sticks that might poke your eye out.
I cast in the garage on a small bench with an electric pot in the spring, summer, and fall.
It avoids any fumes from gas burners.
These days the cost of a Lee electric pot is so cheap that anyone can afford one and it eliminates any fire risk.
If you claim that you can't, well then you also can't afford guns, a range membership, a car to get to the range, vehicle insurance, and gas to drive there.
Just leave the overhead door open and move your vehicle back. A box fan to exhaust any fumes is also a good idea.
But a hazmat suit and separate oxygen supply isn't required.
Neither is an exhaustive search for pointed sticks that might poke your eye out.
GooseGestapo
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I’ve been using Lee electric pots for decades...
They DO NOT eliminate the FIRE HAZARD.
750deg molten lead is the hazard! Most combustible liquids and solids have flash points well below this temperature.
The tinsel fairy is a BIT5H! Ask me how I know!
They DO NOT eliminate the FIRE HAZARD.
750deg molten lead is the hazard! Most combustible liquids and solids have flash points well below this temperature.
The tinsel fairy is a BIT5H! Ask me how I know!
Old Stumpy
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They sure as hell do eliminate the fire hazard from naphtha camp stoves gas spills and leaking propane cylinders. These are sometimes used with cast iron melting pots.
And it's just common sense to remove all sources of flammable liquids and solids from around your casting bench.
Furthermore I have never seen wood or plywood catch fire even if you pour molten lead on it.
I have had one occasion where a bit of naphtha was spilled when I was testing an old camp stove, and just about anything made of wood, plastic, or rubber will provide a surface to burn and melt vigorously.
Use these outdoors only.
Hondo 60
Member
I, too, had lead poisoning.
The US FDA recommends less than 10 parts per million
Mine was 29 & my Dr freaked.
Same issue as DudeDog if I'm reading that right.
Poor ventilation.
I quit going there and in > 6 months I had it down to 7.
GooseGestapo - been there too.
I accidentally threw a wet bullet back in the pot. (didn't know it was wet)
I had lead on the wall in my garage 10 ft high
The US FDA recommends less than 10 parts per million
Mine was 29 & my Dr freaked.
Same issue as DudeDog if I'm reading that right.
Poor ventilation.
I quit going there and in > 6 months I had it down to 7.
GooseGestapo - been there too.
I accidentally threw a wet bullet back in the pot. (didn't know it was wet)
I had lead on the wall in my garage 10 ft high
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