Larry Heyns |
03-23-2007 03:18 PM |
Welder's Suit
We wore welder's leathers while unloading molten aluminum. The employer provided a heavy leather jacket, chaps and spats. The driver provided thick, long cuffed gloves, hard hat and thick face shield. Molten aluminum flows from the crucible to the furnace in a ceramic-lined trough similar to a cement chute from a concrete mixer. If something goes wrong, the driver can stop the flow of orange-hot metal by jamming a plug into the hole at the base of the crucible. This plug is attached to a handle before unloading begins. It is cone-shaped and covered with an asbestos sleeve. The plug is jammed into the hole and beat in with a 3 lb. hammer. It is the driver's responsibility to stop the flow in an emergency or before moving the rig if the consignee wants the load split between two furnaces.
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