Casting a lead ballast keel

Discussion in 'Boatbuilding' started by Will Brooks, Oct 12, 2003.

  1. Will Brooks
    Joined: Oct 2003
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    Location: Port Pirie Australia

    Will Brooks New Member

    Greetings, Am working out how to cast 100kg of lead for a Robert Tucker Silhouette. Plan calls for an iron ballast keel but I have found some 10kg Lead ingots. Intend using a wood mold. Have lead industry experience so no comments re health effects please. Would anyone who has done this at home or in a workshop please comment.
    Have just finished fairing the framework and will answer questions about the boat if anyone is interested.
    You can email me at Maryandwillbrooks@bigpond.com or Brooksw@pasminco.com.au
    Regards, Will
     
  2. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    Coat the wooden mold with lime (whitewash) to prevent it from burning. Add some antimonium to the lead, 1 to 2%, to make it easier to machine and a bit harder.
     
  3. ErikG
    Joined: Feb 2002
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    Location: Stockholm, Sweden

    ErikG Senior Member

    Information hunger...

    What does lime (whitewash ) mean?
    The only lime i know of is a bittersweet greenish fruit, and I guess that's not really it :D :rolleyes:

    ErikG
     
  4. SailDesign
    Joined: Jan 2003
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    Location: Jamestown, RI, USA

    SailDesign Old Phart! Stay upwind..

    Will,
    Do NOT forget that lead shrinks as it cools. If you build a mould to the finished shape, you will end up with a keel about 10% underweight.
    Steve
     
  5. Guest

    Guest Guest

    I believe lime is calcium oxide but don't quote me on that.
     
  6. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    If you can't get lime, what it's used for whitewash, plaster of paris would work too.
     
  7. Art Read
    Joined: Oct 2003
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    Location: Seattle, WA

    Art Read New Member

    Go to a ceramics supply house and ask for refractory cement. (They use it in kilns....) Worked for my 750 lb. keel.
     
    1 person likes this.
  8. Polarity
    Joined: Dec 2001
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    Location: UK

    Polarity Senior Member

  9. SailDesign
    Joined: Jan 2003
    Posts: 1,964
    Likes: 148, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 650
    Location: Jamestown, RI, USA

    SailDesign Old Phart! Stay upwind..

    Paul,
    Glenn Ashmore is a great guy, and an "amateur" in the true sense of the word. (Amateur = one who loves something)
    I know him from the rec.boats.building group, where he is a active and friendly soul, full of good advice most of which comes from bitter experience. ;-)
    Steve
     
  10. Polarity
    Joined: Dec 2001
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    Location: UK

    Polarity Senior Member

    He certainly does!
    After I posted the above I went through his entire site again. I'm pretty handy given the right tools (and a book !) but anyone who would even contemplate, let alone suceed in making their own composite steering gear, pedestal and Carbon fiber wheel has my utmost respect and admiration!

    His site has not been updated for a while - do you know if his project slowed or has he just been too busy to update the site?

    Paul
     

  11. SailDesign
    Joined: Jan 2003
    Posts: 1,964
    Likes: 148, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 650
    Location: Jamestown, RI, USA

    SailDesign Old Phart! Stay upwind..

    Paul,
    As far as I can gather he is nearing the end. His current bugaboo is building tanks. Should be weld plastic water tanks to fit the spaces he has, or build welded alu tanks, or what? Wiring and plumbing issues have been discussed recently as well, so I think the "Building" phase has moved from major (pretty) parts to the hidden but vital pieces.
    STeve
     
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