I have a circa 1940 gardening book with instructions for creating a pool from sheet lead.
The abutting sheets are to be crimped at 90 degrees, one with 2 inches overhang, the other with 1 inch. The longer is folded over the shorter, then both are bent over and soldered along the seam. The pieces are joined together in that manner into larger sections representing bottom and sides, which are crimped together and soldered.
Can sheet-lead still be purchased? Would the lead surface oxidize over time, as in pipes? The book says this will not harm fish, so I assume either they're are lying, they never tried it, or some sort of patina develops to prevent lead leaching into the water.
The book says copper can be substituted for lead, but from what I've read this would also unhealthy for the creatures living in it.
What are your thoughts?