Making lead weights

[Pete from shields]

Hi guys, I'm thinking of making my own weights as its getting expensive at a quid a pop, especially times when the youngun can lose 5-8 maybe in a session and the few I lose myself aswell it all adds up.

The question is can I get scrap lead in South Shields scrap yards, no point getting everything then finding out I need to travel daft distance for the lead, I don't drive. I've been looking online and the lead mould kits are cheap enough and lead making safety guides etc easy enough to find and follow, any advice in my fledgling lead making career would be most welcome.

[Bushwhacker]

If you can,put a hinge and some handles on the mould.
It saves messing about with clamps and getting your mitts burned, and you can knock them out a lot quicker.

[fishingmark]

You have a PM Pete.

[Pete from shields]

WOW that's an awesome idea bushwhacker and it looks class like, I wonder if glue would work for the handles etc lol.

Thanks for the PM Mark I've replied back, thanks lads.

[lingking]

WOW that's an awesome idea bushwhacker and it looks class like, I wonder if glue would work for the handles etc lol.

Thanks for the PM Mark I've replied back, thanks lads.

too much heat for glue methinks pete

[Pete from shields]

too much heat for glue methinks pete

Yep I thought that mate, looking online the hooks-uk do the moulds with handles so that would save me pulling hair about attaching my own (attaching the handle not hair lol).

Gonna head down the scrap yard tmoz see if they sell any scrap lead, got lots of reading up etc to do, don't want to end up looking like ironman or leadman even ha.

[Pete from shields]

Can I ask question lads, all the lead making guides state about moisture or wet getting in the mould not being good/being dangerous. I will stick my mould in the oven to get it hot and make also sure its dry, alot of the guys keep saying to oil the pins to get them out easier.

My question is though, would adding oil like this to the pins not effect the lead like a water based moisture.? Maybe a daft question but I want to cover everything.

[lingking]

hi pete,ill mention a couple of things from my limited lead melting experience

i have never found the need to preheat a mould,they heat up fine after a couple of pours

wet lead,especially pipes can explode.

never make weights indoors,has to be well ventilated area

a hat is as important as gloves,safety specs or goggle if you have them

dont know about grip wires never made grip leads.

i use an axe and a mash hammer to chop lead.

hope you can find summat of use in that lot

[fishingmark]

I just put the mould next to the flame on the stove as the lead is melting to pre heat it a bit, after the first pour no more heating is required.

[wavy davy]

Never had any problems getting the pins out just give them a twist straight after pouring.

[Bushwhacker]

Can I ask question lads, all the lead making guides state about moisture or wet getting in the mould not being good/being dangerous. I will stick my mould in the oven to get it hot and make also sure its dry, alot of the guys keep saying to oil the pins to get them out easier.

My question is though, would adding oil like this to the pins not effect the lead like a water based moisture.? Maybe a daft question but I want to cover everything.

No need for oil,just make sure the pins are straight.
The slightest bend will make them very hard to get out.

[ray]

have made thousands of leads and I think the most important thing you can buy is a fumes mask get a proper one for lead fumes also wash your hands when you stop for a cuppa smoke etc as lead poisoning wont be fun .

[tonybax]

hello ray how you doing,
long time no see

tony

[Pete from shields]

Thanks for all the tips and info lads and thanks for pm's, its all much appreciated. Makes you wonder how the cavemen got on making stuff with lead without the tinternet haha.

[loopy]

Masks ?

After some research, I found this to be the common theme on lead fumes, I am not saying this is right it is just a result of my past research.

"It is agreed that lead when it enters you body is universally bad. However, melting lead should not create lead fumes. Lead melts at 621 degrees Fahrenheit and boils at 3182 degrees Fahrenheit. There is no reason to ever heat lead up to the boiling point to pour sinkers/cast bullets etc.

Your most likely route of entry will be through ingestion (swallowing) or inhalation of inorganic lead particles or through transdermal (through your skin) absorption of organic alkyl lead.

Your respiratory tract provides the most effective route of absorption because it only depends on the size of lead particles and the metabolic activity of the body. Airborne lead particles that are less than 0.5-1 microns in diameter generally are completely absorbed. Gastrointestinal absorption of lead is less effective and depends on a number of factors, eg, the presence of food in the stomach, the concentration of lead ingested and your general nutritional health


What does this mean?

It means that you are most likely to put lead into your body when to have some lead dust on your hands and put it in your mouth (eating, smoking, chapstick, nose picking, etc.). Remember lead dust is lead and does not enjoy being airborne.

There are respirators that can protect you if worn correctly. However, wearing a respirator has risks associated with the increased burden it places on your cardio vascular system. The best protection is to not be exposed at all. Ventilation is primary, and should always be employed.

These filters are called HEPA and are effective against metal fumes and particulates down to 0.3 microns.

IMO the most important thing to understand is that you can take every precaution to protect your self, but still bring the lead dust into your home. Dust that is on your clothing or skin can be transmitted to children, spouses and pets that never came close to the pouring.

Just remember that good housekeeping, personal hygiene and common sense in most cases will keep you and your family safe if you choose to pour lead."