[leakyrivot]

I'd like to make my own lead weights - never thought about making jigs, but that is a **** good idea as well. I'm in the southern NH/northern MA area; does anyone know where or what type of business sells bulk lead and about how much it costs per lb? Thanks for any/all info,

Jon

 

[Jerryvov]

Hi Jon,
See if there's a junkyard/scrap metal place nearby & try there...also, if you have a buddy working for a tire store you might be able to pick up some of their old wheel balancing weights...rod & gun club nearby? Check to see if they occasionally clean out the handgun range target backups...you can melt the slugs down...the copper will float to the surface of the lead & you can skim it off and use the lead...if anybody suggests reclaiming the plates from car batteries, BE CAREFUL!, there's acid in there...good luck.

 

[leakyrivot]

thanks

Well, that's a start; so what you are saying is that you've gotta scavenge it from somewhere? Is that how you guys get the lead to build jigs etc? I suppose you could buy weights though and it would be pretty cost effective for jigs as a 40 ouncer will run $20 and only has $4.00 of lead in it @ .10 an ounce.. Hmmm... I'll bet there's something out there though that has a big chunk of lead in it.. I think those plastic style dumbells and plates are filled w/ lead inside.. the weights for stabilizing bobcats/forklifts are probably lead too. Well, you've got me started, thanks again,

Jon

 

[Jerryvov]

"Scavenge?"

Well, it's generally the cheapest way to come by the stuff...but you can also get big chunks of the stuff at dive shops (SCUBA)...the weight belts use one or two pound slugs of lead threaded on a diver's weight belt to overcome buoyancy...costs more there but it's convenient...

some bait & tackle shops mold their own sinkers...you could ask who supplies them their bulk lead...

 

[Captneilf]

Hi all,

Here is an ad I saw.

Sinkers, all sizes, $.08 an ounce, or cheaper by the #.
Call Sal, 516-775-6040 or Frank, 516-358-9305.

I have no knowledge of them other than ad.

If making your own sinkers be very careful of lead poisoning or burns. Work in a well ventilated area and wear protective face masks and gloves.

Maybe the dangers are not worth the savings. For 8 cents an ounce I would buy in quantity.

Capt Neil

 

[bulletbob]

leakyrivot... Go into ANY tire place... Goodyear,Firestone etc... they have huge buckets FULL of old wheel weights that can be had cheap!.. if you lived close to me[I promise you you don't] I could get ALL you could carry... [I work at Goodyear];;; Go in a few places and ask you may get all you can handle.... bob

 

[reelneel]

cheap lead

i get lead from the plumbers at work.a cup of coffee and a snack works good as a bribe.suppose you can buy at plumbing supply[got 50 # at the house now],or go to a place that recycles metals and ask.but remember,lots of fresh air when working with leads,that s**t is TOXIC!!

 

[maniac]

Lead

Put a tractor trailer load under the Bayville bridge,as balast for the draw bridge. Fifty pound blocks. Also put a trailer load under the state channel bridge at captree state park, as balast also.

 

[Makoman16]

RifleRange!

My buddy works at a rifle range....and has more lead than he knows what to do with! He just made 400 pounds of sinkers! I know, I know...what the heck do you do with 400 pounds of sinkers? I don't have that answer. But I know one thing, he said he will give me 50 pounds for FREE! At 10 cents an ounce ~ I love the savings!

 

[621160]

Here's a question for all you metal heads, no pun intended. How can I get my lead to turn black when it comes out of the mold??? I know about vinegar and leaving the lead/sinkers/jigs outside to turn them grey, but there has to be something I can add to the melting lead to maek it dark. Anyone know? Anyone have a split shot mold they want to sell or trade for similar molds or lead?

 

[621840]

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[maniac]

Free Lead

Have a fifty pound lead pipe kicking around on the job, will bring it home if you want to pick it up to make sinkers or lead heads. I live in Nesconset Long Island.

 

[624368]

Try Harding Metals in Northwood, NH...I buy mine all the time there...its mostly thin flashing that carpenters use around windows.