The Art of Lead Burning
_A PRACTICAL TREATISE EXPLAINING THE APPARATUS AND PROCESSES._
_52 ILLUSTRATIONS._
By C. H. FAY
Reprinted from
_The Metal Worker, Plumber and Steam Fitter_.
PUBLISHED BY
DAVID WILLIAMS COMPANY,
232-238 William St., New York,
1905.
Copyrighted, 1905.
By
David Williams Company.
PREFACE.
The mystery which has always surrounded the work of the lead burner,
like that of all other handicrafts outside of ordinary occupations,
dissolves under the light of a full knowledge of the causes and effects
that have a bearing upon it. While different works have treated on lead
burning, it is the object of this special treatise to explain fully in
detail every part of the apparatus and fixtures in common use, as well
as their application, so that the careful reader may understand and
acquire the art of lead burning by observing scrupulously the rules laid
down and devoting sufficient time to practice to master it. This
instruction, given by text and illustration, is only presented after the
dangerous power of hydrogen gas when misused is thoroughly impressed on
the reader. It would be well for all who hope to become lead burners to
devote several evenings, with an interval between, to a thorough study
of the chapters on hydrogen gas and its properties before taking any
further steps. To those who have not had previous experience with
chemicals and gases this preliminary study is indispensable for their
own safety, for the successful operation of the apparatus and to insure
satisfactory work. When fully familiar with the properties of hydrogen
gas and the necessity of being careful when it is used little difficulty
will be experienced in acquiring a full knowledge of the apparatus and
fixtures. The art of burning the lead can only be acquired by practice,
and either quickly or slowly, as the operator may be quick and skillful
in acquiring any handicraft. In addition to describing what has been
common practice for many years, the treatise contains a description of a
new machine and burner which has only recently become available to lead
burners. It also describes the method of lead burning with the use of
illuminating gas and a soldering flux. A chapter is devoted to soft
soldering and Britannia metal work, which is largely used in the
equipment of bars and restaurants, the various joints being more easily
made with a blow pipe than by any other method. As the workman who hopes
to profit by reading this book can by a little negligence make a great
deal of trouble for himself and others, caution and great care are
advised whenever he is at work.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER. PAGE.
I. Introduction 9
II. The Apparatus 15
III. Hydrogen Gas 18
IV. The Construction of the Generator 26
V. Making the Gas to Burn the Generator 39
VI. Connecting the Apparatus 55
VII. Charging the Generator 64
VIII. The Flame and Its Management 73
IX. The Different Kinds of Seams 80
X. Pipe Seams 100
XI. Acid Chamber Work 108
XII. Special Hydrogen Apparatus and Burner 119
XIII. Soft Soldering with the Mouth Blow Pipe 127
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
In compiling a treatise on the subject of lead burning too much stress
cannot be laid upon the fact that the greatest care must be taken to
observe the smallest details and to follow carefully every suggestion in
regard to safety. I am aware of the responsibility resting upon me in
placing this article into hundreds of hands, comparatively ignorant of
the danger involved in handling so much hydrogen, without thoroughly
instructing them in detail as to its use. I may be excused, therefore,
if, for that reason, some of the explanations are so simple as to seem
ridiculous; but my aim is to present to the trade a treatise that can be
relied upon to be free from theory that has not been thoroughly tried
and tested, so that the beginner can be sure that, if he follows
directions as printed, nothing but satisfaction to him can result.
Study the Chapter on Hydrogen Gas.
I cannot too strongly recommend that the beginner study the chapter on
hydrogen gas until the main points are memorized and clearly understood.
The experiments should be performed and the result carefully noted for
future reference before attempting to use the generator. It is time well
spent to master the technical parts thoroughly before attempting the
mechanical part. Then when a man takes up the mechanical he will do so
with an intelligent understanding of what he is doing, and any little
trouble which may then arise can be quickly overcome.
Another thing to be observed is to avoid nervousness. A nervous person
cannot do this work with any degree of satisfaction, as it requires a
cool head and a steady hand and a vast amount of patience to burn the
upright and inverted seams.
Lead Burning Explained.
Lead burning is the process of fusing two pieces of lead together
without the use of solder. The process consists in melting the edges
together, a drop at a time, and when done with hydrogen gas and the blow
pipe is called the “autogenous process.” Lead can be fused with gasoline
or illuminating gas by the use of the compound blow pipe; but, as
ordinary gases give an oxidizing flame and require a flux, it is not
considered a practical method.
[Illustration:
_Fig. 1.—Lead Burning Apparatus._
]
Lead is used extensively in lining tanks made to contain pickle dips,
hot cyanide solution, storage batteries, acid tanks for manufacturing
jewelry and water closet tanks, as water in many cases contains large
quantities of lime and other deposits which rapidly destroy the solder
used on copper linings. Tanks used for the above purposes must be lined
with lead and the seams burned, as acids attack the tin in solders and
destroy them. The demand for the work is rapidly increasing where it is
introduced. I have demonstrated to many manufacturers that this is the
cheapest method known, as it gives a permanent solution of the problem
how to keep a chemical tank tight.
Method of Making Lead Lined Tanks.
The most common method resorted to in many large factories is to make
the tanks out of very heavy cypress lumber, free from any knots or
blemishes. The joints are carefully dovetailed and fitted together, and
long bolts are used to draw the joints and keep them from leaking.
Usually it takes from three to four days to complete one small tank,
only to have it leak in a few months; whereas the same tank can be built
in a few hours of any cheap lumber, and then, when it is lined with lead
of a proper thickness and the seams burned it will usually last for an
indefinite period, thereby saving floors and, many times, costly plating
solutions.
The most common argument put forth by manufacturers is that the bottoms
of lead lined tanks are soon cut out, owing to dropping sharp pieces of
metal into them. This difficulty can be best overcome by placing a
slatted bottom of wood in the tank, holding the same in place with
strips of sheet lead, one end of which has been previously burned to the
bottom of the tank. These strips are to be brought up through the slats
and then bent over the top of them. This will keep the wood from
floating, and is the only practical way to do it, as the false bottoms
soon decay, and can be easily removed and replaced by simply bending
back the strips of lead.
General Remarks.
Soft solder, as referred to here, means solder that melts at a
temperature of 300 degrees or less, and is so called because of the low
heat required to fuse the solder. It is used almost exclusively on the
quick melting metals and compositions, such as block tin pipes and
Britannia metal. It is also used by pattern makers in soldering white
metal, as it requires but very little heat to sweat it through heavy
articles. It should not be used to join any pipes which convey hot water
or other hot liquids, as it is readily acted upon and destroyed. (The
composition of these solders is explained in a special chapter.)
The chapters on blow pipe work, also on bar work, will alone turn many
dollars into the pockets of the plumbers who have courage and ambition
to acquire this line of work. Many times small leaks occur in difficult
places that can be readily repaired by the use of the blow pipe and a
common candle.
The lining of bars with Britannia metal is coming more and more into
general practice, and it usually requires a specialist in this line to
do the work. The soldering of this metal with a blow pipe and an alcohol
torch is an easy matter, and is described in a special chapter.
There is no reason why this work should not be done by a plumber,
particularly in small cities and towns, and to aid such as have not had
the opportunity to familiarize themselves with such work I append such
diagrams as may seem useful and necessary.