A Sailboat, and It's Full of Lead!

[Suo Gan]

Howdy Gang, A local gent has a sailboat with a solid lead keel. He of course wants to save the hull (mostly) and covert it into a redneck version of JFK's PT 109. He said that I could cut some access holes in the hull to get to the lead, I would like to split the boat at midship and attack it that way, what say you? Any tips or advice would be appreciated. Merry Christmas.

[lwknight]

Weeeeed Burrrrner!!
And several small bread pans.

[nanuk]

chainsaw?

[thegreatdane]

chainsaw?

+goggles and a dust mask.

[Suo Gan]

I just wish that he would let me cut the hull and let the ballast just drop out the bottom. I am afraid that using a chainsaw or a weed burner inside a small space might be more danger than I am game for. Has anyone really ever cut a 1000 pound chunk of lead with a chainsaw?

[geargnasher]

I've used a chainsaw to cut X-ray shield panels (3/4" thick 2x8') and also to slice up tractor ballast, wear appropriate PPE, especially face shield and correctly rated respirator.

Gear

[Jim]

Are you sure the lead is poured into the keel and not in shot form? I've seen some keels filled with shot. If it IS in shot form, you can knock a hole in the bottom of the keel with a hole saw and just scoop it up.

[Dan Cash]

There are hydraulic drive chain saws for use in confined spaces. Check fire and rescue supply or ship salvage equipment companies. A regular chain saw in the interrior of a sail boat is a quick ticket to the morgue.

[rob45]

There are hydraulic drive chain saws for use in confined spaces. Check fire and rescue supply or ship salvage equipment companies. A regular chain saw in the interrior of a sail boat is a quick ticket to the morgue.

I agree with that.

The chainsaw is a great idea, but only under proper conditions.

I used a chainsaw (with jig) to trim some small logs to better fit my bandsaw. This was inside the shop.
The chainsaw wasn't running for one minute before the CO detector started going crazy.
Same as heating up your vehicle with the garage door closed, etc.

Important: BTW, don't think for a moment that a respirator protects from the effects of carbon monoxide. Your body needs oxygen, and CO sucks up any available oxygen. The respirator simply filters the air, but the air you're breathing is still oxygen-deficient.

I have a smaller electric chainsaw that a friend wired to run off the vehicle battery; I have to use some sort of box that allows AC to run off DC?
Not as powerful as the gas model, but definitely powerful enough to cut lead sheets and blocks. Quiet, too. It's great for demo projects inside old houses (plumbing, etc.)

[Mumblypeg]

Recipricating saw. They make a blade for everything. You can cut a house in two. Nails and all.

[lcclower]

Look inside, on the floor, probably under loose floorboards, and see if there's a row of big bolt heads. Bolt heads mean it's probably a poured keel and the whole enchilada should fall off if you cut the bolt heads off. May break off some fairing (putty) on the outside.
Most shot-filled keels are filled with a mix of lead shot and cement, have to cut the keel off from the outside and then massage the mess with the biggest sledge you can swing.
Easier to burn the hull and come back later, but that's out of the question for now?

[Suo Gan]

I have not seen it in person. He wants to save the hull and not destroy the boat. But then again, the way it sits it is of no use to him anyway, so I don't know. Will be doing this late next week I hope. He says its a solid poured keel. It would be a dream if it was shot down there!!! I will cross my fingers. I wonder if the DMV would let me license it, I could just drag it around until it is small enough to throw in my lead pot that way.

[1bluehorse]

Just unbolt it. Should come off fairly easy. Thats why they're called keel bolts.

[mtgrs737]

Recip saw or a circular saw if room allows they make metal cutting blades but you can use a worn out steel blade put on backwards. (I know it sounds dumb but it works great)

[alfloyd]

They make battery powered chainsaws. Maybe that would work in the inclosed area.
Just my $0.02 worth.

Have fun
Lafaun

[geargnasher]

Electric chainsaw, good idea. I'm sure the CO would get deadly quick inside a bilge. The respirator idea was to filter lead dust, and a heavy metal vapor filter couldn't hurt either. Respirators have a better sealing mask than most particle masks, too, plus they have particle pre-filters that are easily changed out.

The problem with a reciprocating saw in some instances is they won't cut something the blade doesn't reach all the way through because the tip quickly bends when jabbing at the bottom of the cut, whereas a chainsaw can be stabbed straight into a solid block or you can use the very tip to carve out tight spots. I think in the end a combination of recipro-saw, electric chainsaw, axe, hatchet, hand saw, or even circular saw might be required to get all the lead out of a sailboat keel if it's solid.

Gear

[justingrosche]

Ask 7 of 7 how he did it. He and I smelted 1,500 of keel weight one day. All into one lb. ingots. I believe he cut most of it with a skil saw.