I found and bought a significant quantity (about 25 1 lb bars) of 50/50 lead/tin
bars made for auto body repair. I'll never use them, but they were just too
cheap to leave behind. I was surprised to learn that there are still people
using this stuff for custom body work, and that it costs about $8 a pound. I
probably should put it on craigslist and get rid of it.

I don't think lead passes through the skin. If it did, I'd be long dead. You
have to ingest it somehow.

On Jul 9, 2012, at 12:14 PM, Original WWL wrote:

> Ed:
> 
> Back in the day before BONDO and other fiberglass type body fillers, dents and
rust outs on auto and truck body panels were filled with lead.
> 
> The Lead Float was made of lignum.  Molten lead was poured onto the body
panel, spread out with the lead float and then shaped to the finish contours and
dimensions.
> 
> Not to mention how many body guys contracted lead poisoning!  OSHA would be
proud of me ;-)
> 
> Matt Prusik
> 
> 
> "No social system will bring us happiness, health, and prosperity unless it is
inspired by something greater than materialism."
> -Clement Attlee
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ed Minch" <ruby@m...>
> To: "Ed O'" <edo13@o...>
> Cc: <Sgt42RHR@a...>; <oldtools@r...>
> Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 11:48 AM
> Subject: Re: [OldTools] Gift tools and a Whatsit?
> 
> 
>> I came up with one of those in Lignum Vitae in new-still-covered-with-wax
condition.  Thought it was a chunk piece of wood for $4, so I bought it. It's
big enough for a spoke shave or a few tool handles.  The seller at the fleas
thought it had to do with plumbing.  How is it used?
>> 
>> On Jul 9, 2012, at 10:27 AM, Ed O' wrote:
>> 
>>> I believe the whatsit can be identified with a Google of "Vintage Lead
>>> Bossing Stick".  I always assumed that they were used mostly by plumbers,
>>> but the modern ones for sale are mostly for roof work it appears.
>> 
>> Ed Minch
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
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> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
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> 
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