Weights, to buy or not

[indatexas]

Hmm, noticed that the local NEX raised prices on softweights from 4 to 4.5 a pound. Running out of lead are we?
Is it a sign to buy weights now or not...

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by indatexas

Hmm, noticed that the local NEX raised prices on softweights from 4 to 4.5 a pound. Running out of lead are we?
Is it a sign to buy weights now or not...

By far the easiest thing to "borrow" on a dive is weights, if you just do resort and/or boat dives. Obviously shore diving you are on your own.

I like having the correct weight before I show up for a dive, and therefore, own lots of weights...but I got them rather slowly.

[scubaaaronh]

All metals have been going up. With China being the biggest importer of metals it is driving the prices up. Another thing that is driving prices of lead up is the health problems lead causes, and the move to other products like Bismuth. I don't think you are going to see a drop any time soon on the prices of metals. They are going to keep rising. I do a lot of reloading and brass for instance last year was 14 bucks a bag. this year its 23 bucks a bag. Shot has increased also i remember buying chilled shot a couple years ago 8 bucks a bag and now it is close to twenty.

[quasimoto]

Don't know that there is a shortage of lead. Just like every metal, the price is going up.
As for buying or not. Lead is one of those things that you can pick up a little at a time.

[Soonerwink]

There are several good buys on ebay right now for soft weights: weights, Weight Belts, Buoyancy Compensators items on eBay.com

[Tod]

Do you (or anyone you know) know how to sew? You can buy lead shot weight from a hardware store and make your own soft weights if you're sew inclined.

[BouzoukiJoe]

Be careful of possible iron content in the shot or rust could ruin your handiwork.

[CompuDude]

Keep en eye out in your local penny saver / recycler or Craigslist. People dump old dive gear all the time for peanuts, and lead is one thing that never wear out.

[Xspect]

Buy the minimum amount of weights. Borrow / rent the required. I have forgot my weights on a few occasion. Never had any problems getting a "short term loan" of weights

[BuzzGA]

Both my wife and I have our own weights but it is rare we take them. Since we live in Arizona most of our diving involves a plane flight and carrying all that extra weight around is just too much of a pain.