Is there a safe way to remove lead that has been melted into the boiler of an older brass locomotive? The engine is way too heavy with the brass boiler partially filled with lead.
J2M
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Is there a safe way to remove lead that has been melted into the boiler of an older brass locomotive? The engine is way too heavy with the brass boiler partially filled with lead.
J2M
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I have not found an instance where a loco is too heavy, I suppose it’s possible if the motor is too small. You’re going to have to drill out any weight you want to remove because trying to melt it out will melt the solder holding your loco together.
Like Matt says the melting point of lead is higher than that of solder but it may not be lead. Try poking a hot soldering pencil into the "lead" and see if it melts and how fast it melts.
Back in the day it was common to use Cerro Bend alloy to weight brass engines. Its melting point is 158F. Low enough to not melt solder. If so you can put the engine in boiling water to remove it.
Pete
Pete,
I bet you are right - cerro bend - can't imagine that someone would melt lead into the boiler. I'll try the solder pencil and hot water solution.
Thanks!
J2m
Probably the best, if not safest, way to lighten the load is to drill out some of it until you've removed enough lead that you are satisfied with the weight. Work smart. Wear gloves and a respirator. You're not going to create fumes or dust, only shavings. The shavings are too heavy to cause any concern about flying lead dust. When you are finished simply bag the shavings and throw them into the trash.
Having worked in construction all of my life, I was around when plumbers used lead to seal joints in cast iron sanitary pipe and 40/60 lead solder to sweat joints in copper tubing. I'm still here !
It might be easier to use a rotary file, in your Dremel, on fairly slow speed, and whittle out as much of the weight as you desire.
Can a Loco be too heavy yes. Bought a PRR M1 off eBay went to pickup the box and it was very heavy. Opened the box and found the front bent the sand dome also bent and the cab broke off the loco. Took me Dremel and a small air grinder from Harbor freight to remove the lead. Also can bind the axle. Better to balance the loco.
Looks like the O.P has to get the Led out....
If it is Cerro Bend and you put it in a pot of boiling water an old spoon makes a handy scraper to help get it out. Save the Cerro Bend it will come in handy if you find a loco that is too light. I love the stuff, actually used it to cast truck sideframes with molds made from cardstock. The most common use of it is the melting fuse element in some fire sprinklers. I just did a search and it is still sold by some metal supply houses. Good to know it is still available. J
Cerrobend, while a nice low melting alloy, is also about 15% cadmium which poses a far greater health hazard than lead.
If it's cerrobend, boiling water will melt it easily; we used to use large coffee pots to melt it for casting attenuation blocks. Do plan on its exit route from the boiler so as to not let it end up everywhere else. Might also want to not use that pot for food in the kitchen,
If lead, just drill it out with care.
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