A lead delivery apparatus (10,110) for a cast on strap machine arranged to deliver a predetermined volume of molten lead to a mould, comprising: a first needle valve and a second needle valve (50,150,250,350), the second needle valve (50,150,250,350) comprising an elongate body (52,152,252) and a seat engaging portion (53,153,253,353); a reservoir comprising an inlet in fluid communication with a molten lead supply, and an outlet; and, a volume block (20,120,220,320) comprising an inlet, an outlet (24,124) and a through cavity (26,126,226,326), the seat engaging portion (53,153,253,353) being engageable with the outlet (24,124); the volume block inlet being in fluid communication with the molten lead supply via the reservoir outlet, the reservoir outlet being selectively openable and closable by the first needle valve; the through cavity (26,126,226,326) together with the second needle valve defining a predetermined volume of molten lead received from the molten lead supply; and, the volume block outlet (24,124) being selectively openable and closable by the second needle valve (50,150,250,350); wherein the elongate body (52,152,252) comprises an upper section (52a,152a) furthest from the seat engaging portion (53,153,253,353) having a greatest diameter, and a lower section (52b,152b) between the upper section (52a,152a) and the seat engaging portion (53,153,253,353) having the same greatest diameter or one or more relatively smaller diameters; and, wherein when the volume block outlet (24,124) is closed by the second needle valve (50,150,250,350), the part of the through cavity (26,126,226,326) immediately surrounding the upper section (52a,152a) has a diameter which provides a clearance gap between the upper section (52a,152a) and said part of the through cavity (26,126,226,326). a first needle valve and a second needle valve (50,150,250,350), the second needle valve (50,150,250,350) comprising an elongate body (52,152,252) and a seat engaging portion (53,153,253,353); a reservoir comprising an inlet in fluid communication with a molten lead supply, and an outlet; and, a volume block (20,120,220,320) comprising an inlet, an outlet (24,124) and a through cavity (26,126,226,326), the seat engaging portion (53,153,253,353) being engageable with the outlet (24,124); the volume block inlet being in fluid communication with the molten lead supply via the reservoir outlet, the reservoir outlet being selectively openable and closable by the first needle valve; the through cavity (26,126,226,326) together with the second needle valve defining a predetermined volume of molten lead received from the molten lead supply; and, the volume block outlet (24,124) being selectively openable and closable by the second needle valve (50,150,250,350); wherein the elongate body (52,152,252) comprises an upper section (52a,152a) furthest from the seat engaging portion (53,153,253,353) having a greatest diameter, and a lower section (52b,152b) between the upper section (52a,152a) and the seat engaging portion (53,153,253,353) having the same greatest diameter or one or more relatively smaller diameters; and, wherein when the volume block outlet (24,124) is closed by the second needle valve (50,150,250,350), the part of the through cavity (26,126,226,326) immediately surrounding the upper section (52a,152a) has a diameter which provides a clearance gap between the upper section (52a,152a) and said part of the through cavity (26,126,226,326). the volume block inlet being in fluid communication with the molten lead supply via the reservoir outlet, the reservoir outlet being selectively openable and closable by the first needle valve; the through cavity (26,126,226,326) together with the second needle valve defining a predetermined volume of molten lead received from the molten lead supply; and, the volume block outlet (24,124) being selectively openable and closable by the second needle valve (50,150,250,350); wherein the elongate body (52,152,252) comprises an upper section (52a,152a) furthest from the seat engaging portion (53,153,253,353) having a greatest diameter, and a lower section (52b,152b) between the upper section (52a,152a) and the seat engaging portion (53,153,253,353) having the same greatest diameter or one or more relatively smaller diameters; and, wherein when the volume block outlet (24,124) is closed by the second needle valve (50,150,250,350), the part of the through cavity (26,126,226,326) immediately surrounding the upper section (52a,152a) has a diameter which provides a clearance gap between the upper section (52a,152a) and said part of the through cavity (26,126,226,326).