Caution - molten lead here

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jloader
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Caution - molten lead here

Post by jloader »

It's finally my bragging time. I've put the finishes touches on this baby this weekend.
I am a weekend woodworker and an overall handyman so whipping up this contraption was a fun project on a reasonable budget.
My reloading "office" is in my basement so excellent ventilation is a #1 priority.
The construction is 3/4" veneered plywood, front top (light cover) is 1/8 plywood. Plexiglas for splash protection and draft control.
Casting-Station.jpg
The size is 31" W, 17" D, 31" H with lights cover section at 21". Plexiglas is fully height adjustable from 9-21" from the base by free-floating in the grooves and pinched at the top by a plastic hand clamp. The station is sitting on top of a home-made router table and is light enough that it can be removed if I need to use the miter saw.

I've placed peg-boards on both sides for easy access to common tools.
Tools-Left.jpg
Tools-Right.jpg
I've got 2 CFC 100W equivalent bulbs in track lights and a bathroom vent venting thru small window to the outside. Had to use duct tape on all connections and edges of the vent to seal it all. Vent pipe is the 4" dryer aluminum foil hose.
Lights+vent.jpg
To make things convenient, I've put 2 switches to control the lights and the vent.
The power cord for electric pot come out thru a 2x2 opening on back of left panel to a 15A power bar with a switch. This makes it for a quick, positive heat source switching.
Light+Vent-Controls.jpg
The draft control with the Plexiglas in lower position is so good that I even do scrap smelting here using a 650W electric burner (not shown) - will have to upgrade it to an 800-1000W unit.
How good is the draft? My wife was standing next to this station looking thru the Plexiglas at the pile of range scrap smoking and did not smell a thing!!!

For my tooshie comfort, I've gotten a height adjustable "massage stool" on wheels. I love this thing. With a movement of a lever I can adjust height to this station or my loading bench.

Spending hours in front of this unit is a pleasure - all, and I mean all the heat from the pot is taken outside.
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Re: Caution - molten lead here

Post by Ranch Dog »

Looks very good to me!
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Re: Caution - molten lead here

Post by daboone »

Very VERY nice. Envy you endeavor.
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When setting a job up for myself it must be Idiot Proof as well, as I am a bigger idiot than most people I know, and I prove it to myself everyday.
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Re: Caution - molten lead here

Post by akuser47 »

Nice work
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Re: Caution - molten lead here

Post by GasGuzzler »

Awesome. Any affect on casting?
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jloader
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Re: Caution - molten lead here

Post by jloader »

GasGuzzler wrote:Awesome. Any affect on casting?
I'm assuming that you're asking about the draft effect on casting...
I am using 6.5 setting on my pot thermostat and using 2 bullet molds.
During casting, I have the glass raised pretty high so there is not that much draft blowing across the mold itself so I do not see a negative effect.
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Re: Caution - molten lead here

Post by GasGuzzler »

Nice. You answered my vague question. I have only a ceiling fan.
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Re: Caution - molten lead here

Post by Old Scribe »

Very nice job!
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