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ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES...!!

I know yall do, but had an incident a while ago when casting some Lyman 150gn 38/357 SWC bullets with my bottom pour pot.
Had been casting for a while and needed a break for my elbow, layed the mold along the top edge of the pot to keep it warm.
Break was over when I grabbed the mold and started to pour the first cavity when...POP/SPLASH, for some reason the lead popped when it went into the mold and splashed right onto my safety glasses right at my eye's..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WoW...Who'd a thought?
No moisture was around, nothing could have dropped in that I could think of?
I had already poured MANY bullets before I sit it down and took a short break.

Hmmmm....All I can say is Always were your safety glasses at all times when loading or making bullets..!!!
I know everyone knows this, but you get relaxed sometimes and forget or just think nothing can happen.

All is GOOD to go now...Already inspected the mold and poured a bunch more...This is my second break...Gotta make sure I have my glasses on when I get back to it

$tuff happens.
Have fun and be safe guys....

Don2

AndyC wrote:

Don2 wrote:for some reason the lead popped when it went into the mold

I'm confused - do you mean that the lead squirted back out of the cavity in the mould that you were pouring into?

Glad you're ok, of course!

I wouldn't say squirted out, it was more of a pop and hit me with lead debris.
It was just like dropping a drip of water in a hot melted lead pot. ( But NOT that bad)
Ya know...I wonder if moisture ( condensation ) built up some in the mold as it was cooling down, or something like that?
Now that I think about it...I bet that's what it was. Maybe I should heat the mold up more before pouring lead after letting them cool for a few minutes if there is high humidity or just plain ole raining outside
It was raining outside, I was in my shop which is closed in and insulated pretty good.
It was not a big pop, just a little one which made some of the lead explode up and out onto my glasses, it did not even hit my face...it was like it was zeroed in to my eye's ..!!! Strange to say the least.
I"M JUST GLAD I had my safety glasses on...I usually do, plus I hang them around my neck when not in use to keep them close and handy in case I am lazy that day and don't feel like walking a few steps to put them on...

I have been casting bullets for almost 10 years and never had THAT happen...But I guess there is always a first time.
Thats why I mentioned it...Keep them safety glasses handy at all times.

( Still have 2 good eye's )
Don2

Face shields aren't a bad idea either.

Safety glasses when loading primers is also a good idea. I have not had any primer pops personally, but I've read enough cases where it happens.

Jumping Frog wrote:Safety glasses when loading primers is also a good idea. I have not had any primer pops personally, but I've read enough cases where it happens.

Absolutely, I have a few pair I keep around...A face shield might just be the ticket when pouring bullets, at least that's what I think NOW..!

I have had one primer go off when priming on a single stage press, it just kinda startled me for a second then pulled out the brass and noticed the primer was going in crocked.
I'd hate to have a progressive press primer tube go off...bet that will wake you up.!!!

OUCH.

Don2

Can't afford to lose an eye! Most of us only have two after all... In the process of getting prescription safety glasses. My current glasses may suffiece but:
a) they won't protect from a projectile out of sight
b) I can't afford to lose my only pair of glasses if they do catch a projectile.

Not worth it as they say.

Bought a pair of sunglasses from opticsplanet.com, about to buy another pair of safety glasses (non tinted). Eye doctor told me good luck filling a 3 year old prescription, but opticsplanet filled 'em. Just a note for you guys who may be holding off because it would require a trip to the eye doctor ($$$). Mine work fine with homemade measurements for eye distance. (took a picture in the mirror and measured pupils on a computer progam). Didn't see a need to see the eye monkey when my current glasses work fine. They didn't see a need for me to get glasses without their stamp of approval... we know how that goes. If you guys need info on how to order (prescription) safety glasses online, don't hesitate to ask.

Don2 wrote:Absolutely, I have a few pair I keep around...A face shield might just be the ticket when pouring bullets, at least that's what I think NOW..!

I use a face shield when I am converting my dirty, old, trashy wheelweights to beautiful shiny ingots!

texasmusic wrote:Can't afford to lose an eye! Most of us only have two after all... In the process of getting prescription safety glasses. My current glasses may suffiece but:
a) they won't protect from a projectile out of sight
b) I can't afford to lose my only pair of glasses if they do catch a projectile.

Not worth it as they say.

Bought a pair of sunglasses from opticsplanet.com, about to buy another pair of safety glasses (non tinted). Eye doctor told me good luck filling a 3 year old prescription, but opticsplanet filled 'em. Just a note for you guys who may be holding off because it would require a trip to the eye doctor ($$$). Mine work fine with homemade measurements for eye distance. (took a picture in the mirror and measured pupils on a computer progam). Didn't see a need to see the eye monkey when my current glasses work fine. They didn't see a need for me to get glasses without their stamp of approval... we know how that goes. If you guys need info on how to order (prescription) safety glasses online, don't hesitate to ask.

But my question is why buy prescription safety glasses when you can buy goggles that fit over your regular glasses for just a few bucks at any industrial supply site. I've been doing that for years for all kinds of shop work; not just smelting, casting and reloading.

Gerry

Gyrogearhead wrote:

texasmusic wrote:Can't afford to lose an eye! Most of us only have two after all... In the process of getting prescription safety glasses. My current glasses may suffiece but:
a) they won't protect from a projectile out of sight
b) I can't afford to lose my only pair of glasses if they do catch a projectile.

Not worth it as they say.

Bought a pair of sunglasses from opticsplanet.com, about to buy another pair of safety glasses (non tinted). Eye doctor told me good luck filling a 3 year old prescription, but opticsplanet filled 'em. Just a note for you guys who may be holding off because it would require a trip to the eye doctor ($$$). Mine work fine with homemade measurements for eye distance. (took a picture in the mirror and measured pupils on a computer progam). Didn't see a need to see the eye monkey when my current glasses work fine. They didn't see a need for me to get glasses without their stamp of approval... we know how that goes. If you guys need info on how to order (prescription) safety glasses online, don't hesitate to ask.

But my question is why buy prescription safety glasses when you can buy goggles that fit over your regular glasses for just a few bucks at any industrial supply site. I've been doing that for years for all kinds of shop work; not just smelting, casting and reloading.

Gerry

I've usually found goggles to be an annoyance when wearing glasses. They always push them around or out of place. A face shield on the other hand I have no problem using and if I'm doing grinding or some dirty work with chemicals I always use one. Having prescription safety glasses around makes it just one more reason to wear safety glasses for me.