Shot Tower

[Simbo]

 

[Santa2512]

What size cartridges are they using in the first clip?   elephant?   .

Well i have to say i'm off for some upping and at em later 

:santa:

 

[Nimbusgb]

Followed a link in Youtube once the video was finished. It showed a 'home built' shot maker by some American. About the size of a desk! Smelters, ladle, grid and cooling. Modern miniaturization!

Some of those workers would have had nasty lead poisoning and the occupational safety blokes would have a cadenza if they tried that lot today!

 

[Jim Wheeler]

not really, lead poisoning is from soluble or gaseous sources, lead is basically inert,

I had shot making gear till 3 years ago, I used to make 60 to 80kg a day,simple enough to do , did it for 10 years, and also bullets and slugs,,before that,so at least the last 20+ years !  and reload of course,, and supply my mates that reloaded.  lead becomes dangerous if it fumes, about 1500*C , but the  melting point is about 330*C

 

[Dog Tyred]

Really interesting videos. I had never really thought about how lead shot was made but I would never have guessed it would be like that. You live and learn

DT

 

[westley]

The 'Shot Tower' still exists in Chester town centre, but I am unsure if it is still in use. The DTL video clip took me back a bit. The lever operated trap was usually connected to an Eley 'Plus Trap' and required some Mug, sorry, Volunteer, to sit in the trap house and place a clay on the arm as it came around. Problem was, there was no communication between aforementioned Mug/Volunteer and the actual Trapper and the appearance of the Mug on the end of the trap arm was not uncommon !  We used to take it in turns to operate the trap by use of the cocking/release lever, but I do not recall too many Mugs 'volunteering' to sit in the trap house. Note the recoil on the side by side the young man was using. A side by side averaged 6lbs 8ozs. and the cartridges were probably at least 30 grams or more likely 32 grams. Ah yes, I remember it well, especially last week,  as I was having a steroid injection in my right shoulder !

 

[Mike L]

Very interesting, thanks for posting.

best bit is YT is banned here onboard ship, but your links play!!!!!!!!

mike