lead free alloys (1 Viewer)

[choice cuts]

Wanted to start doing casting with my children who are 10 and 13. My concern was using lead with them. I did see some lead free alloys available. Any thoughts on this. I assume these would be much harder to deal with. Thanks for your inputs.

 

[Al Fisher]

Where are you from? I ask this only because brand names in one country differ from another. However, a common lead-free metal is pewter. I used it for many years with good success. More expensive and requiring a higher melting temperature than lead can be a problem. Now that I've been getting older and don't want to cast in large lots with numerous tools, I use low-temp metals or resin as I can do small jobs with minimum setup.

Bosun Al

 

[theBaron]

Be careful about pewter, because the term can certainly include an alloy containing lead. Modern pewter alloys omit it, but if you're looking at buying something that a vendor calls pewter, and you're concerned about lead content, you'll want to make sure you can confirm the metals that make up the alloy.

Having said that, I'll say that I think you'll still be OK, if you have a white-metal alloy that contains lead. It's not like it's radioactive and just being near it is going to kill you. I use old linotype metal, and tire weights, which both include lead, the tire weights containing more. I will adjust the mix, depending on the molds I'm using. I do recommend that you cast in a well-ventilated area; I cast out in my garage, with the door open, on the apron. I also use a metal tray as a base to work on, to protect the surface of my bench. But the lead shouldn't be a problem, in and of itself.

If you do an internet search on "white metal casting alloys", you'll find a good number of vendors who sell lead-free casting alloys. Micro-Mark is one.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Martin Tabony]

If you put (dry) sand in the casting tray, any over spill will stop dead on contact. If your new to casting, especially with children. Be sure to warn them that just because the casting is set hard, it's still hot!

Martin

 

[trooper]

Not a good idea to have kids around metal casting. Far too much potential for accidents and even a small dot of metal can raise horrible blisters and then you have to live with that knowledge for the rest of your days. The type of metal isn't important, the fact it is molten is. You know what kids are like, tell them something is hot and they feel honour bound to touch to see if that is true. Keep them safe and a very long way away from the casting side of your hobby. Trooper

 

[theBaron]

Not a good idea to have kids around metal casting. Far too much potential for accidents and even a small dot of metal can raise horrible blisters and then you have to live with that knowledge for the rest of your days. The type of metal isn't important, the fact it is molten is. You know what kids are like, tell them something is hot and they feel honour bound to touch to see if that is true. Keep them safe and a very long way away from the casting side of your hobby. Trooper

I'm going to disagree, respectfully, in this case. He's noted in his original post that his kids are 10 and 13. I think they're probably old enough to show them something like this, with all appropriate supervision, of course.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Al Fisher]

Agree about allowing kids to cast with proper supervision . . . it's a good introduction to things dangerous. At that age I was casting with AC Gilbert molds w/o supervision as my Dad was off to WW2. Still have the molds and ladle!

Bosun Al

 

[Fubar]

Look into Conquest Industries and Hallmark industries . Hallmark has some called NL7. Works wonderfully.Very little lead. Proper supervision and safety glasses, leather glove{s} { I use a welders glove for pouring} jeans will repel any tiny splashes. A leather apron might be a good idea although I never use mine .All step by step common sense safety and step by step practice's, and proper respect for tools that can do bodily damage and your boys will be fine.
Heck, I was operating all manner of farm equipment, Deer and Duck hunting on my own when I was 13. But times are different.


FubAr

 

[Donald Shannon]

Wanted to start doing casting with my children who are 10 and 13. My concern was using lead with them. I did see some lead free alloys available. Any thoughts on this. I assume these would be much harder to deal with. Thanks for your inputs.

Hi All,
I've had very good luck buying pewter at my local Goodwill. It's about $2.50/lb., which I then cut with pure lead 40/60 and get beautiful castings out of my Prince August, Lil' Army, and Eastsound Castings rubber molds.
I strongly recommend beat up pewter mugs, dishes, etc as a source of metal.
Good luck,
Don

 

[theBaron]

...I strongly recommend beat up pewter mugs, dishes, etc as a source of metal...

My previous employer gave out pewter pint mugs with the company logo on them, as souvenirs, and when people would leave the company, I salvaged them. When I left, I decided I'd melt 'em down, out of spite. It felt good, too. ^&grin

Prost!
Brad

 

[kilted vampire]

I'm going to disagree, respectfully, in this case. He's noted in his original post that his kids are 10 and 13. I think they're probably old enough to show them something like this, with all appropriate supervision, of course.

Prost!
Brad

I am with you Brad. Richard Walker used to cast his own figures when he was a kid. Just don't let them try to make ingots with a coffee cup for a mold.