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Charlie Jones
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« on: September 12, 2004, 05:41:18 PM » |
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The Princess keel is 3 1/2 by 3 1/2 and 7 feet long. Specs call for 400 pounds. I melted and poured 450 pounds.
I had to have a crucible built to contain the lead while being melted. This is built from a HEAVY section of square steel pipe. It's 9 1/2 x 9 1/2 by 16 inches tall.
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first row, third coast
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Charlie Jones
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« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2004, 05:42:48 PM » |
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And of course a collection of lead. This is only a part of the lead. I had gathered just under 600 pounds all told. Some wheel weights, some bullets from Martin Tidswell's bullet trap and some lead from Jon up in New York.
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first row, third coast
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Charlie Jones
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« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2004, 05:43:50 PM » |
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And here's the setup all fired up and heating lead. I put in 100 pounds at first then added new stuff in 50 pound lots. The shields kept the heat closer to the crucible and made the thing very effective.
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first row, third coast
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Charlie Jones
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« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2004, 05:44:51 PM » |
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And here's a look down into the pot- that's 450 pounds of very hot lead.
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first row, third coast
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Charlie Jones
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« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2004, 05:45:51 PM » |
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Heating the pipe. The molten lead flows into the pipe, but cools up at the top so you have to reheat that plug of cooled lead to get it to flow. Once it flows things BETTER be right cause there's NO stopping it.
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first row, third coast
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Charlie Jones
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« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2004, 05:46:33 PM » |
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And here's when it let go! Took it about 30 seconds or so to fill the mold. Looked pretty cool (If molten lead can be called cool;)) made waves back and forth in the mold.
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first row, third coast
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Charlie Jones
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« Reply #6 on: September 12, 2004, 05:48:04 PM » |
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Here's a shot of some HOT stuff. Yeah - those are bubbles.
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first row, third coast
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Charlie Jones
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« Reply #7 on: September 12, 2004, 05:49:18 PM » |
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I did have one small leak in the threads where the pipe was connected. It was only hand tight so it could be pushed over to let the lead flow out. Made a pretty neat stalagmite;D Altogether it took 2 1/2 hours and used slightly less than one tank of propane. The wooden mold scorched but only slightly. All in all a very successful day  |
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capt jake
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« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2004, 06:01:15 PM » |
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Bubbles must have been from moisture in the wooden mold. I poured two #16 ingots the other day, but not near as exciting as what you have done.  Looks good!! Can't wait to see the final product. |
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Captain of Fire Escape and a big red truck!
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Charlie Jones
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« Reply #9 on: September 12, 2004, 06:51:23 PM » |
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one point I should make here that'll save others trouble. I didn't think about it til way too late. When you build the mold, make the TOP of the keel go against the BOTTOM of the mold. That way you get a dead flat surface to go against the boat. I'm going to have to do some planing. Not enough to make me want to remelt it though  |
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capt jake
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« Reply #10 on: September 12, 2004, 06:56:33 PM » |
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I contemplated that as well, though the pour is more logical the way you have done it. I have ben told that if you melt some more lead, then heat the existing surface really good with a couple of propane torches (probably need another body or two); that you can sucefully paur a skim coat on the surface that will bond well. The smaller amount of lead that you add will level better as it has less mass to cool (and sag). The bond won't be quite as critical in this design as it will be through bolted and the additional layer will be held in place all the better. Just a thought a two. |
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Captain of Fire Escape and a big red truck!
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Joe Nelson CS#35
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« Reply #11 on: September 12, 2004, 08:05:05 PM » |
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Charlie,
Glad that you posted the casting process. I figure that I will have to learn as I go on the princess 26. Your pic's and narrative help a lot. The 26 has a 700# casting. I don't imagine that the additional weight will make much of a difference in overall complexity.
I have not seen the 22' plans...but the 26 is a bit cryptic in some areas for amateur builders. I figure that Graham will help in areas where I have trouble.
I hope that you will post some information about attaching the casting to the deadwood.
Joe
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Joe Nelson
CS20 #35
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P Doug (WA)
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« Reply #12 on: September 12, 2004, 09:38:50 PM » |
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Ok here is dummy again, but, why didn't the wood mold catch fire? Does the lead cool that fast below the temp it would take to start the wood on fire? Thanks for taking the time to present this, it is really interesting.
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P Douglass
Mini-cup in progress
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Charlie Jones
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« Reply #13 on: September 12, 2004, 10:13:35 PM » |
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Yes- the lead cools quickly enough so the wood only scorches. Doesn't burn. The mold was made using 2 by lumber by the way.
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warthog5
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« Reply #14 on: September 12, 2004, 11:32:42 PM » |
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Glad to see you were covered in safety gear. This stuff can hurt you BAD.
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August 18, 2003, 09:32:30 AM
