Fig. 41.—Clamp and Method of Applying.
Another method of putting on these tacks, and one which is most commonly practiced, is to trim the end of the strip of lead as shown at B, Fig. 39. The strip is laid flat on the lead sheet, with the bevel end down, and is then burned onto the sheet in that position, after which it is bent over the studding and nailed. The exponents of this method claim that a better job is done in that manner, as there is always a lifting pull on the strap. I claim for the first method that there is more strength in the lead seam, and that as the edge of the studding comes directly under the strap it acts as a sort of shelf for the strap and thereby becomes a strong brace. But it is probably only a matter of habit, as they hold all right either way.
Now, after having the seams burned and the straps in place, the lead must be put in position. This can be accomplished by any arrangement of block and tackles, but if the chamber be very large it will be found to be a saving of time and labor to rig up a derrick. This is not such an expensive thing to do, as a carpenter is always on hand and most likely all the material needed is already on the ground. This derrick should be constructed with a swinging boom, so that it can be raised, lowered or swung into any desired position.
Fig. 42.—Showing Staging in Position.
Now to raise the side lead into position: The derrick is hooked onto the hook or rope that is on the upper end of the staging. It can then be easily raised in position. If the tank be very deep, or if it should be too narrow to follow this method, the sheet lead should be rolled up on a piece of 2, 3 or 4 inch iron pipe, depending upon the weight of the lead. This pipe should be long enough to project at least 6 inches from both ends of the roll. Two timbers, long enough to cross the frame work, should be obtained. About 18 inches from one end of each timber a notch should be cut to prevent the pipe from rolling. These timbers must now be placed across the frame work just over the place that is intended for the lead. The whole roll can now be raised with the derrick and the ends of the pipe placed in the notches. The lead can then be pulled down, similar to pulling down a window shade, after which the tacks can be burned on in place. This is shown at a, Fig. 40. Or if there be room enough the piece of lead can be cut from the roll, dressed smooth and have the tacks burned on while on the floor. The upper end of the lead can then be rolled over and nailed to a piece of timber 2 × 6 inches or heavier, and the derrick hooked onto this and raised in position. This is the easiest method where there is room to do it. These are a few of the methods used, but there are numerous other ways.
To place the top lead in position requires a staging, which can be built as follows: Enough hooks should be made to properly support the staging, shown at A, Fig. 41. Two timbers should be laid across the top of the chamber, far enough apart to allow two strips of lead to be placed in position at once. The hooks are now hooked over these timbers, while two pieces of 3 × 3 or 4 × 4 are placed in the other end of the hook. Planks are now laid over these timbers and the screws set up until the tops of the planks come just level with the top of the lead—not higher, or else they will prevent the joist from being placed in position.
The lead can now be cut off on the ground and hoisted up to the top, where it becomes an easy matter to place it in position. The lead tacks can now also be cut and burned on. They should be cut sufficiently long to allow them to lap over the top of the joist, as shown at a, Fig. 42, where they should be nailed with large headed nails. It will be noticed that the tacks are doubled up on the top lead and that they are not set opposite each other. The joist can now be set and the tacks nailed on, after which ropes can be tied onto the projecting ends of the 4 × 4 timbers and the whole staging be lowered to the floor at once. This operation can be repeated until the whole top is on.
Fig. 43.—Lead Headed Nail.