Tire Weights when making jigs

[Cabela101]

How do you guys go about melting the tire weights in a melting pot?  Do you just throw the weight in there with the clip still on it, then fetch it out before you start pouring?

One other thing, do you clean off the tire weights good before you even start to melt them.  Just seems like you would get a lot of dirt and stuff inside the drip hole for the bottom pour pots.

Thanks in advance.

[cedar1]

I've used tire weights for making my decoy anchors and that lead sucks. way to many impurities. They made very brittle anchors and I needed soft weights. But if they will work for you, I melt my lead on a coleman stove in a soup pan, been doing it for years on the same stove. The older ones had heavier grates that will support the pot even when red hot. Once the weights melt all the impurities will float to the top and can be skimmed off no problem. If you need a softer finished product the best lead I've found has been the sheet lead thats used on flat roofs, also the lead out of x-ray machines is great stuff. be careful that there isnt any moisture in or on the lead, if you put it in the pot after some lead is already melted there's going to be fireworks

[ominousone]

Minn,

I am starting to melt lead myself, and have done a lot of reading.  A lot of people use these weights for jigs.  From what I have read some people also buy pure lead ingots and mix them in with ingots that have been created from the wheel weights.  

O.k. how to use those wheel weights, to the best of my limited understanding:

Get some kind of large pot and melt them down in thatm, the clips will melt off.  You can either remove them with a magnet or a ladle.  You will also need to remove any other impurities that rise to the top (oft called slag).  After this you need to pour the lead out into ingots, there are ingot molds that you can buy but someone suggested to me that old cup cake pans would work well.  Now you can use those ingots any time that you need lead for jigs.  Of course you could do this in your pot and only make a one days pouring supply, but from what I understand it's better to clean all the lead you have acquired into ingots and use after.  Also, I know that I have a real healthy fear of molten lead; I hope you do to, the stuff can really damage a person.  Actually that's what has kept me from going on past buying my supplies and acquiring a 5gallon pale full of wheel weights (that and it has been only about 20 degrees here lately and I plan on working outside)

sorry if I have confused more than I have helped

[statechamp135lbs]

Tire weights will work well for jigs and anything else if you mix it with a soft lead. Otherwise to many cold spots.  I just went to the scrap yard and asked for lead and they took me out back and let me pick it out of a bin.  Old machine parts.  AWESOME soft lead. @ 30 cents/lb.  Use those mini muffin pans from Wal-Mart for about 8 bucks for your ingots.  Pour your tire weights into muffin pan, and when your done, label a box "wheel weights" and your soft lead, lol well, "soft lead"  If you buy a little lee pot, the one that plugs into the wall, you can mix your lead.  2 tire weight ingots, and 2 soft lead ingots.And the pot is full.  I've had some VERY close calls with 612 degree lead so please BE CAREFUL.  My accidents (thankfully) didn't hurt me but was due to carelessness.  NEVER clean lead with anything!!! Only remove the slag and garbage with a spoon or Needlenose pliers.  Just bang off dirt on wheel weights.  Any moisture in the lead, something you can't even so will cause it to explode out of the pot and right into your face!  But it's really straight forward and you'll have a blast making your own baits.  Hope this helps.

[Zoomer52]

Remember, safety first! Go to your local welding supply store and pick up a good face shield, a welding cap, some welding gloves and maybe a leather cape sleeve with a bib. Alot cheeper than Dr. bills...

[ominousone]

zoomer,

that the most complete list I have heard of for melting lead.  I have a healthy fear of it, but I was only thinking of buying a good set of heavy leather gloves, and I have a face sheild for welding laying around.  What's a welding cap?  Also a cape sleeve w/bib, I haven't heard of that either.  Any input and approx prices would be appreciated.  I have bought a ton of lead stuff, but haven't used a thing due to the fact that I want a nice outdoor day to make my ingots.

[Zoomer52]

 Welding caps are brightley colored fairley heavy matereal with a small flexable bill (Kromer brand) that fits snugley on your head to keep welding sparks and other hot splatter from removing what hair you have left, cost about $7.00. Cape sleeves are leather sleeves attached to a leather cape that covers your arms and shoulders, about $30.00. A leather bib usualy can be attached to the front of the front of the cape sleves with built in snaps and a strap that goes around your back to hold it in place and can be had in 18-20" lengths that protects your abdoman, cost about $8-10.00.

  These can be purchased fron your local welding supplier. Also wear jeans (no shorts please) that cover the tops of high top leather boots. Have a good day!

[ominousone]

I just got my turkey fryer and a nice large stainless steel pan to melt down the tire weights.  I am gonna go look at the protective equipment and see what they all look like.  I think that I may just set the pan to heat outdoors and give it some space for a good while.  Wouldn't any moisture pop and explode soon after the lead is melted and then leave me with a good base of lead and slag remaining?  I'm gonna have to just try this all and see what happens.  Thanks to everyone for all the help.

[Zoomer52]

Hi, yes , the water will cook out of the lead as it heats up, but it is good to weare protective gear in case you spill or bump over your pot. Also any stray raindrops or bird dropings or your yard sprinkler  inadvertantly beeing turned on could be a problem.

[ominousone]

zoomer,

I was foolish, but fortunate today.  I melted down an entire 5 gallon pail of wheel weights.  The only caution I used was keeping a distance after gently placing the wheel weights in.  I didn't have a good ladle so I ended up with a massive melted block in my pan in which I will pour into ingots tomorrow after I make my way to a restaurant supply store.  I think when I make my way out of the woods, and to the closest city I will at least pick up a nice pair of leather gloves to match up with my ladle for pouring ingots tommorrow.