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Lead soldier casting set (1960s-70s) (thelemmy.club)
submitted 2 months ago by to c/vintageads@sh.itjust.works
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This was a kit sold for children 12 and up, which let them create metal soldiers and other figures. The kit included a crucible, a heating unit, and lead ingots that you would melt in the crucible, to then pour the molten lead into molds.

I assume you could then paint the resulting figures, if you wanted.

Here is a photo showing those components. The crucible and electric heater are on the right. I suppose(?) you would file or trim away the flashing and pour-funnel from the final cast figure, but this photo shows the result straight out of the molds.

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Ages 12 and up.

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[–] 7 points 2 months ago

I think lead gas by far for the reason the other person mentioned. Everyone got exposure by existing and breathing.

With other stuff, it depends on your interaction with it. Lead paint was and still is pretty safe unless you sand it and breathe it in which is unfortunately easy to do in that context, or it flakes off and you're a kid who likes the sweet tasting corn flakes made of wall.

These toys were probably fine if you had air circulation, didn't chew on your toys, and washed your hands before you ate. But there of course were kids who probably thought it was funny you could dent them by biting them...

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