Weights, to buy or not

[CaribbeanDiver]

it is probably not the price or availability of the lead that is making the price go up. rather it is the need for oil companies to make more and more and more and more money which translates into very high transportation costs. sometimes we forget that we pay for the high price of fuel at lots more places than at the pump.

[BouzoukiJoe]

Transportation costs have only a minor effect on the price of lead.

Lead is going higher due to supply and demand. Supply coming down since we are not creating new lead mines. Who wants one in their back yard? Not me. The demand increased thanks in part to use in lap-top batteries. The initial tightness was met by fairly large supplies of scrap lead. After the supply of easily scrappable lead was used up lead really started to take off. Similar things have happened to most of the base metals. I often quip that the person who can find a way to turn gold into lead will make a fortune someday.

Base Metals LME Prices - Copper Price Charts & Aluminium Prices, COMEX, Nickel, Tin, Lead, Zinc, Iron, Steel: news, reports and research.

[PsychDiver]

A few years ago I collected scrap wheel weight leads from a few local tire shops for free and then melted it down to make one pound bars. At one point I had 750 lbs of lead. Now I have only about 100 lbs. Sold most of it to the scrap yard. Lead can be melted on a camp stove and poured into a mold very easily. I use them now for new students that are underweighted. I ask for it back but don't worry if a few bars go missing. Mostly just people forgetting they have it in their belts.

[mitchy]

Anyone make their own weights (other than sewing up buckshot). Any good ideas of common products that can be converted into cheap weights?

[thor]

I have my own weights, but only b/c on my last dive, my buddy forgot to bring enough weight, so I had to go out and buy some at the last minute. I have always relied on the kindness of strangers. (Frankly Scarlett, I don't give a damn)

[PsychDiver]

Check with some of the local tires shops. They usually have an old bucket they throw the old weights in. You may get them for free or you may be able to buy them at a great price. You can melt them on your stove at home but the smell is bad and the wife or husband may get a little upset so I recomment a camp stove and an old pot. You can buy molds at a local gun shop for 1lb bars or you can buy an actual mold at LP.

[BouzoukiJoe]

For those with children I'd definitely recommend melting lead outside the house.

[Mtrewyn]

The fumes are REAL bad, even without kids I'd do it out side.

[mitchy]

That's a great source of lead. For the first time ever I'm looking forward to a trip to the mechanic.

If I melt the lead indoors, you say it might drive my wife and kids away for a while? Any idea how long the smell will linger - I could use a few days alone.

[BuzzF117]

Originally Posted by mitchy

That's a great source of lead. For the first time ever I'm looking forward to a trip to the mechanic.

If I melt the lead indoors, you say it might drive my wife and kids away for a while? Any idea how long the smell will linger - I could use a few days alone.

Melt lead outside in well ventiated area not neccessarly because of the lead fumes but also because of any oils or solvents on the lead will burn off when you heat it up and can be as noxious if not more so then the lead. We do alot of lead soldering in the flute business and even with the ventelation you can get sick.