Hi All,
I am re building a very tired wooden 'double ender' fishing boat built 40
years ago in Redcar UK.
Along each side of the keel / stem, is a gap between keel & first plank
which is packed with caulking cotton covered with putty mixed with lead
powder.

Question, In what proportion does the lead powder get mixed with the putty?
( I understand it keeps the putty flexible)

All suggestions appreciated ( well the clean ones anyway)

Best regards,
Stu Knowles.
Doncaster UK

"Stu Knowles" writes:
snip
Question, In what proportion does the lead powder get mixed with the
putty?
( I understand it keeps the putty flexible)

You want to RUN, not WALK away from this one.

I can't answer your question; however, in this day and age, contact with
lead powder should be avoided like it was the plague, IMHO.

HTH


--
Lew

S/A: Challenge, The Bullet Proof Boat, (Under Construction in the Southland)
Visit: http://home.earthlink.net/~lewhodgett for Pictures

You can buy red and white lead putty.. ready mixed up from traditional boat
supplies.
Its cheap enough that few people in my neck of the woods bother to make it
up themselves.



Traditional Boat Supplies
31, Ravensmere
Beccles Suffolk
NR34 9DH
Tel: 01502 712311

I think they have a website.. but I dont know the URL

"Stu Knowles" wrote in message
...
Hi All,
I am re building a very tired wooden 'double ender' fishing boat built 40
years ago in Redcar UK.
Along each side of the keel / stem, is a gap between keel & first plank
which is packed with caulking cotton covered with putty mixed with lead
powder.

Question, In what proportion does the lead powder get mixed with the
putty?
( I understand it keeps the putty flexible)

All suggestions appreciated ( well the clean ones anyway)

Best regards,
Stu Knowles.
Doncaster UK

There are numerous underwater seam compounds that do not use lead. Much
more important than having lead in the putty is that the seam be properly
prepared and caulked.
Why play with lead when the new products work well? The super modern poly
caulks are usually not necessary but if the seam is dangerously big the
additional adhesion can help. Best is to stick with canned underwater seam
compounds.

I have done a bit but am not a caulker. (find one and ask or read a
book!)
(a) get the seam clean and dry.
(b) prime the seam with paint (most any oil paint)
(c) caulk seam (cotton if small/ oakum if large)
(d) paint over the caulking
(e) putty over the caulking to less than flush (allow swelling)
(f) paint over putty

best
George