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 and a second needle valve , the second needle valve comprising an elongate body and a seat engaging portion ; a reservoir comprising an inlet in fluid communication with a molten lead supply, and an outlet ; and, a volume block comprising an inlet , an outlet and a through cavity , the seat engaging portion being engageable with the outlet ; 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 together with the second needle valve defining a predetermined volume of molten lead received from the molten lead supply; and, the volume block outlet being selectively openable and closable by the second needle valve ; wherein the elongate body comprises an upper section furthest from the seat engaging portion having a greatest diameter, and a lower section between the upper section and the seat engaging portion having the same greatest diameter or one or more relatively smaller diameters; and, wherein when the volume block outlet is closed by the second needle valve , the part of the through cavity immediately surrounding the upper section has a diameter which provides a clearance gap between the upper section and said part of the through cavity . a first needle valve and a second needle valve , the second needle valve comprising an elongate body and a seat engaging portion ; a reservoir comprising an inlet in fluid communication with a molten lead supply, and an outlet ; and, a volume block comprising an inlet , an outlet and a through cavity , the seat engaging portion being engageable with the outlet ; 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 together with the second needle valve defining a predetermined volume of molten lead received from the molten lead supply; and, the volume block outlet being selectively openable and closable by the second needle valve ; wherein the elongate body comprises an upper section furthest from the seat engaging portion having a greatest diameter, and a lower section between the upper section and the seat engaging portion having the same greatest diameter or one or more relatively smaller diameters; and, wherein when the volume block outlet is closed by the second needle valve , the part of the through cavity immediately surrounding the upper section has a diameter which provides a clearance gap between the upper section and said part of the through cavity . 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 together with the second needle valve defining a predetermined volume of molten lead received from the molten lead supply; and, the volume block outlet being selectively openable and closable by the second needle valve ; wherein the elongate body comprises an upper section furthest from the seat engaging portion having a greatest diameter, and a lower section between the upper section and the seat engaging portion having the same greatest diameter or one or more relatively smaller diameters; and, wherein when the volume block outlet is closed by the second needle valve , the part of the through cavity immediately surrounding the upper section has a diameter which provides a clearance gap between the upper section and said part of the through cavity . <EOS>