Lead sources

[Bob Kavanaugh]

Ok, so part of the allure of making your own jigheads is the savings (eventually, I guess, if you make enough). So, are you guys buying lead? Or are you scavenging wheel weights and various other scraps?

[Gatorbassman]

I go to several tire shops and leave a five gallon bucket for them to put their tire weights in. I pic the bucket up every other week or so.

[dampeoples]

I carried mail to two tire shops, and got theirs, and got some clean lead a long time ago off eBay for cheap, it's too expensive now! I've also got a plumber buddy that gets it for me, it's soft, but got stuff on it, but that burns off easily.

One thing; tire weight lead is harder than pure lead, it's got stuff added to it, it's perfect for larger things, but if you want to pour anything that's small or pretty detailed, it doesn't always work well. I've heard adding a drop of wax to the lead helps, but have never tried it. I got enough free that I just cut the lead off around the clip, it wasted a lot, but it was free.

Be careful when melting tire weights and lead that's been outside, even a tiny drop of water will 'explode' in the pot, sending hot led everywhere.

[Jig Man]

There are lots of sources for lead. I have at least 300 pounds of it in the shed out back.

Here are some of my sources:

Hospitals--they get radioactive meds. in lead containers that weigh 10-20 lbs each. I have gotten lots of them.

Remodlers--millions of shower stalls have a 40# pure lead liner in the floor.

Hospitals being up dated--I got a 4X8 sheet of lead 1/8" thick from an XRay lab.

Recycling centers--I have gotten lots of lead from them at $.25 per pound.

Old newspapers--one guy gave me 70# of printer's lead from old type setting equipment.

Look around and you will find all the lead you can ever use.

I stay away from wheel weights because of the antimony in them. It makes the lead harder and a bit lighter and more difficult to work with.

The wax mentioned above is a very good thing to do. Keep an old candle next to your lead pot and when the lead gets hot drop a bit in the lead and stir it with a metal object like an old spoon. BE ADVISED THAT THE POT WILL ERUPT IN FLAMES AND BURN FOR A FEW SECONDS WHILE YOU STIR IT.  Don't get excited.  It won't explode.  

Do this every time you heat the lead and you will get better pours. It FLUXES the lead. This process is especially necessary to avoid VOIDS when pouring lead with antimony such as wheel weights.

[Bob Kavanaugh]

Dang, as usual there's more to it than appears at first glance.

This is great information, and very helpful. Thanks guys!

[Brian_Reeves]

What is the wax to lead ratio?  I just got the hot pot 2 in.  It doesn't heat very much at a time, but I'm still curious about how much wax to add to the hot lead.  I don't want a raging inferno in my miniature melter lol.

I just got 25lbs of scrap lead off of ebay.  I got it for 25bucks.  A dollar a pound sounds a bit expensive (that includes shipping btw)  I'm going to look into the hospitals and any recycling centers/junkyards here.  

Jig Man, did you buy it from the hospitals or did they just give it out?  Also, who did you talk to about it?  Seems like an odd question to ask the lady at the front desk