Pouring Lead

[sciencemike]

Hey guys,

I have come into a hundred lbs of lead. Maybe much more on its way. I poured a couple of single 1 lbs. They came out at about .8 lbs. Anyone have any suggestions on pouring lead?

Besides...

Melt outside in well vented area.

....

Anyone have any molds i could rent? Maybe by pouring free lead weights? Im really looking for 1 lb crimp style weights.

Mike

[spearboy321]

I think you have to pre-heat the mold before you pour it with a candle or a torch or at least that is what I have heard from someone.

[Durango]

Contact Larry - Mokaction, he is the lead pouring Kahuna! He has the molds and the process down pat. Also if you pour using Larry's molds make me 22lbs!
Thanks,
Todd

[Tin Man]

Definately preheat the mold, but you will need more than a candle. I set my mold on the propane burner right next to the pot that I am using to melt the lead. I use a piece of lead/tin solder to check the mold temperature by touching the solder against the outside of the mold. When the mold is hot enough to melt the solder, then it's time to pour. That's probably a little overkill, but it gives me a good way to insure that the mold is hot enough.

[reuben lombardo]

What are you guys using for the mold?

[mokaction]

Originally Posted by Todd M Peterson

Contact Larry - Mokaction, he is the lead pouring Kahuna! He has the molds and the process down pat. Also if you pour using Larry's molds make me 22lbs!
Thanks,
Todd

Todd,

I just need the lead then I will pour away. I need to make a couple more belts for my self too. Also Joe has wants one too.

Also if you are looking for moulds or molds do a search on the forum. I need some re-search on the topic last years some time.



Larry

[patrick]

http://spearboard.com/showthread.php...ght=lead+molds

[Durango]

Originally Posted by mokaction

Todd,

I just need the lead then I will pour away. I need to make a couple more belts for my self too. Also Joe has wants one too.

Also if you are looking for moulds or molds do a search on the forum. I need some re-search on the topic last years some time.



Larry

I have a few lead pieces and old wieghts. Did you ever pick up lead from the tires shops? Are the wieghts on tires made of lead or are they zinc? I am building up a supply for you Larry. Hope to be up your way this spring , maybe we can have a lead pouring party.
Todd

[southbound]

I would PM scottywotty, he did a really nice job on the belt he wears!

[mokaction]

Originally Posted by Todd M Peterson

I have a few lead pieces and old wieghts. Did you ever pick up lead from the tires shops? Are the wieghts on tires made of lead or are they zinc? I am building up a supply for you Larry. Hope to be up your way this spring , maybe we can have a lead pouring party.
Todd

Todd,

Ya, I will have some weights available for you by then. I will me making some belts this week. I just got done with a new weight belt for myself. I have to make a couple of back up's and also a couple for my daughter.

I also put a new thread of where I got my mold..

Larry

[Bob Ballew]

You can make a nice mold for small cylinder weights by taking a piece of pipe, split it with a hacksaw,smooth rough edges with a file, notch out eace piece one-half the width+ of your belt using a grinder, insert a flat metal shim the same size as the square belt notch out , cap one end, clamp it together and pour...I prefer small cylinder wts over the square pounders, as you can balance your belt better, it is easier to shift the weights around you get an exact weight/wetsuit combo for the depth you want to be neutral at......

[mcnavas]

Originally Posted by sciencemike

I poured a couple of single 1 lbs. They came out at about .8 lbs. Anyone have any suggestions on pouring lead?
Mike

Mike,
This happened to me too with 2 different molds I was using. The mold preheat works well to get a smooth exterior finish. Try not to overheat the lead in the pot, it will tend to shrink more when cooled. I Think Lead melts at 364F so right after it's all melted, pour it into the preheated mold. I use a big coffee can on the camping stove outside and pliers for melting and pouring.

The main problem, I'll bet, you are fighting is the fact that your Lead is not pure Lead, which is lighter. I melted down some wheel weights from the tire store. That type of lead has an alloy mixed into it to make it stiffer for hammering onto the rims without smashing. Shotgun shot is not pure either.

If you take one of your homemade weights and drop it on smooth concrete you'll probably hear it make a higher pitched Tingggg sound which tells me you have non-pure Lead. If you drop it and hear a THUD with no ring, it's pure Lead and should weigh more. Prove this by dropping a store bought dive weight and compare it to your homemade weight, sound different?

Wash your hands well after handling Lead and don't breath the smoke off the pot either. Or, just don't inhale.......

[John Hughes]

Larry, I've got all the lead you need brother. I'd be willing to give you 20-30lbs if you're willing to make me 20lbs for my own belt. I guess if you're willing, the only thing I'd have to do is get it to you. Let me know.

[Chris Oak]

I've heard that about tire weights not being pure, I did a search on "pouring lead weights" on google. Most people recommended going to metal scrap yards and avoiding the rim/tire weights, and Larry recommended buying used weight at recycled sports stores.

A long time ago I made some lead weights with my boss, he used MAPP (burns hotter than propane) gas from home depot with the ignitor to melt it down into a pot, then hit the pot with heat and immediately poured it. I might try that.

[mokaction]

Chris,

Tire lead works great and it is free.. Just spend 2 hours to make 50 bricks..

Larry