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How many people here do this? I was thinking about trying it for a hobby and to pass time away. Where do you get your lead from (for the ones who do it) and where did you get kit to start. Old wheel weights seem to be the way people online go. Thanks for any tips or advice.
I could think of better things to do.......I only started because I aquired 1000lbs of lead off a job I was on.....plus the guys I used to go off-shore always were looking for lead (cheap) and for me free was cheap.....with no money invested YET.....why not buy a few molds and pour some weights for them as a favor.....big bank,big egg.....made a mold for the deep drop weights(2-3 lb)......started pouring some smaller weights (bank,no rollslip) added some jig head.....poured some weighted pier gaff's.....I have seen lead for sale on craigs list.....there is a diver that has lead in Pensacola that he salvages from the ocean floor and sells it (Ron)......not real cost effective ......if I didn't get the lead for free......I would have never done it.......and when the lead is gone I will be done......selling the melting pots,molds etc.
I acquired most of my lead from my other hobby of metal detecting. I have not really gotten into the standard type of fishing weights yet but have come up with some Frankenstein version of spider weights (AKA Sputniks great for heavy currents) that may not be pretty but worked. My incentive was the typical cost of a spider weight. Having free time, free lead, and leftover coleman fuel canisters from lanterns made it a no brainer. I used 4 X 4s to carve into for molds and set the wire inside before pouring.
Lead fumes are very hazardous as well as molten lead on skin so take proper precautions.
Like others noted, unless you have a free source of lead, its tough to justify.
You will need a melting pot & molds too. And a safe place to do it.
I have made a few molds using Durham's Water Putty(Youtube) ,bought a coupe from Do-It Molds and a couple off Ebay. I used to loan them out to a couple of guys who loaned me theirs from time to time. A great source of lead is independent tire dealers(wheel weights), municipal water and wastewater departments-they are required to remove anything made of lead when repairing a leak.
I went to local pull-a-part to see about wheel weights off junk cars but the ones they have must be made of gold they wanted .50 each for them. They had no clue how to price them said I was only one who has ever ask for them. I haven't lost the itch to try this yet. Even if I broke even it would be the joy of making something myself to use that would make it worth my time.Quote:
Originally Posted by chillinfish
Try local salvage, scrap yards.,recycle businesses .......call them.....usually a good price is 1.00 a lb....but I have seen it a little less
And when you find some at a decent price buy more then you think you need......it doesn't go bad, and may get harder to find in the future......as stated above ventilation is a must, and never let a drop of water hit the molten lead.....I hear it tends to explode......lead's melting point is 645 degrees. ...even a drop of sweat is a issue I hear
You tube is your friend to study before messing with it.....good tips on there
Wheel weights are a lead alloy and melt at a higher temperature than softer plumber's lead. I had no idea it was so high now. Glad I stocked up back in the day.
I used to make my own. Like everything, the initial start up is the most expensive, especially buying the molds, specialty hooks, paint, etc. thats not including paint curing ovens, drying setups...Ebay is a good place to get lucky and find cheap lead. I have about 20 lbs of lead just collecting dust. I need to get out there and pour some egg sinkers.
Pour me about 10 dozen 1-1/2oz and 1 oz