The keel was poured yesterday, design weight of 6750#. When we pull
it from the mould in the next week or two, it will be loaded on the
trailer and go to town and to be weighed.

Some parts of the process went better than others. The mold was very
strong and stiff. The lead did not even put any pressure on the tie
bolts along the open top. The exterior was 3" thick wall pipe, lined
with plywood. Then a yard of reinforced cement, lined with 1000# of
USG casting plaster. The cement was cured for 2 weeks (waiting for
dry weather), the plaster had 10 days of very dry weather with fans
running during the days. The mold was set in a 2 ft deep hole and
loosely backfilled. The mold and the keel bolts were pre-heated for
24 hours with an electric heater and a small fan.

We limited the old bathtub to about 2000#, pouring 1500#, and
retaining 500# to help melt the next batch. The original plan was to
do a slow continous pour, but quickly learned it was far easier to
keep the surface of the lead molten if we did a quick pour. One
heater for the surface of the 8 foot keel was not enough. The
addition of an oxygen-LP rosebud and another weed burner was more than
adequate.

Partly by design, and partly from a helper misreading the scales, I
have excess lead for sale at scrap price. This is almost all melted,
scimmed, and recast wheel weights. It will be about 3% antimony. I
also have a "fire" suit and 2 full face sheilds with HEPA filters
ready to run off your air compressor. I am located 5 hours NW of
Chicago, 3 hours SE of Minneapolis. If you are interested, send an
email and include your phone number.

mm