Estimating the material for sheet-lead work, such as the lining of tanks with lead, is very simple. All that is necessary to find the amount of lead is to measure the square feet of surface to be covered and multiply the number of square feet by the weight of lead to be used. That will give the total weight of sheet lead required. Six-pound and 8-pound lead are the weights generally used for lining tanks. By 6-pound lead is meant a thickness of sheet lead 1 square foot of which will weigh 6 pounds. Four-pound to 6-pound sheet lead is generally used for safes, under fixtures and floors. One square foot of sheet lead 1/16 inch thick weighs 4 pounds. Sheet lead is rolled in thickness so that it may be had in 21/2. 3, 3 1/2, 4, 41/2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12-pound weights. If weights different from the foregoing are specified an extra allowance of 10 per cent. of the cost must be made to cover the extra charge of the manufacturers for special weights.

The solder required for wiping seams in tanks will average 3 square inches to the foot, which is equal to slightly over one pound per lineal foot of wiped seam. As considerable solder is lost in seam wiping, besides bulls-eyes to be wiped to hold the sheet lead in place, an allowance of 1 1/2 pounds of solder for each lineal foot of seam in the tank will be about right. One box of tinned tacks will be found sufficient for holding the seams in place in an average-sized tank.

In estimating the time required for lining tanks or other receptacles with lead, it is necessary for the plumber to know just what sizes of the various weights of sheet lead he can get, so he will know whether one sheet will do for an entire side, or whether the lead will have to be patched out to cover a given surface. The sizes, weights and other information regarding sheet lead can be had from Table XVI.

Table XVI. Weights And Maximum Sizes Of Sheet Lead

Weight Per Square Foot

Thickness in Inches

Maximum Sizes of Sheets

1 pound

1-64

8 feet by 20 feet

1 1/2 pounds

1-43

8 feet by 20 feet

2 pounds

1-32

7 feet by 45 feet

2 1/2 pounds

1-24

9 feet by 45 feet

3 pounds

3-36

10 feet by 45 feet

3 1/2 pounds

1-16

10 feet by 45 feet

4 pounds

1-16 full

10 feet by 45 feet

5 pounds

5-64

10 feet by 43 feet

6 pounds

3-32

10 x 43 feet or 11 x 40 feet

6 pounds

3-32

11 1/2 x 30 feet or ll 3/4 x 25 feet

8 pounds

1/8

10 x 40 feet or 114 x 35 feet

10 pounds

1-6

11 1/2 x 30 feet, 11 x 40 feet, or 10 x 48 feet

10 pounds

1-6

ll 1/2 feet x 40 feet

12 pounds

1-5

11 x 40 feet or 114 x 35 feet

14 pounds

1-5 full

114 x 40 feet or ll 3/4 x 30 feet

16 pounds

1/4

11 1/2 x 40 feet or ll 3/4 x 30 feet

20 pounds

1/3

11 1/2 x 40 feet or ll 3/4 x 38 feet

20 pounds

1/3

ll 3/4 x 36 feet

24 pounds

3/8

ll 3/4 x 30 feet

24 pounds

3/8

11 x 34 feet or 11 1/2 x 32 feet

30 pounds

1/2

11 x 27 feet or 114 x 254 feet

30 pounds

1/2

114 x 24 1/2 feet or 12 x 16 feet

40 pounds

2/3

11 x 24 feet or 12 x 16 feet

60 pounds

1

12 x 12 feet

Table XVI Weights And Maximum Sizes Of Sheet Lead 11