A lead delivery apparatus for a cast on strap machine arranged to deliver a predetermined volume of molten lead to a mould, comprising: a first needle valve; a second needle valve; a housing, the housing comprising: a reservoir comprising an inlet and an outlet, the reservoir inlet being in fluid communication with a molten lead supply, the reservoir being supplied with molten lead during use such that the molten lead in the reservoir is maintained at a constant height, and the reservoir outlet being defined in a lower portion of the reservoir and being selectively openable and closable by the first needle valve; a volume block comprising an inlet, an outlet and a through cavity, the volume block inlet being in fluid communication with the reservoir outlet, the volume block inlet located below the reservoir outlet, the through cavity together with the second needle valve defining the predetermined volume of molten lead received from the reservoir via the reservoir outlet, and the volume block outlet being selectively openable and closable by the second needle valve; wherein the first needle valve is selectively moveable between a first position and a second position, such that in a first position the reservoir outlet is closed and the flow of molten lead between the reservoir and the volume block is prevented, and in a second position the reservoir outlet is open, such that the flow of molten lead between the reservoir and the volume block is permitted until an equilibrium position has been reached, which defines the predetermined volume; and wherein the second needle valve is selectively moveable between a first position and a second position, such that in a first position the volume block outlet is closed and the flow of molten lead between the volume block and a mould is prevented, and in a second position the volume block outlet is open, such that the predefined volume of molten lead is permitted to flow between the volume block and the mould. a first needle valve; a second needle valve; a housing, the housing comprising: a reservoir comprising an inlet and an outlet, the reservoir inlet being in fluid communication with a molten lead supply, the reservoir being supplied with molten lead during use such that the molten lead in the reservoir is maintained at a constant height, and the reservoir outlet being defined in a lower portion of the reservoir and being selectively openable and closable by the first needle valve; a volume block comprising an inlet, an outlet and a through cavity, the volume block inlet being in fluid communication with the reservoir outlet, the volume block inlet located below the reservoir outlet, the through cavity together with the second needle valve defining the predetermined volume of molten lead received from the reservoir via the reservoir outlet, and the volume block outlet being selectively openable and closable by the second needle valve; a reservoir comprising an inlet and an outlet, the reservoir inlet being in fluid communication with a molten lead supply, the reservoir being supplied with molten lead during use such that the molten lead in the reservoir is maintained at a constant height, and the reservoir outlet being defined in a lower portion of the reservoir and being selectively openable and closable by the first needle valve; a volume block comprising an inlet, an outlet and a through cavity, the volume block inlet being in fluid communication with the reservoir outlet, the volume block inlet located below the reservoir outlet, the through cavity together with the second needle valve defining the predetermined volume of molten lead received from the reservoir via the reservoir outlet, and the volume block outlet being selectively openable and closable by the second needle valve; wherein the first needle valve is selectively moveable between a first position and a second position, such that in a first position the reservoir outlet is closed and the flow of molten lead between the reservoir and the volume block is prevented, and in a second position the reservoir outlet is open, such that the flow of molten lead between the reservoir and the volume block is permitted until an equilibrium position has been reached, which defines the predetermined volume; and wherein the second needle valve is selectively moveable between a first position and a second position, such that in a first position the volume block outlet is closed and the flow of molten lead between the volume block and a mould is prevented, and in a second position the volume block outlet is open, such that the predefined volume of molten lead is permitted to flow between the volume block and the mould.