Making your own Lead Weights

[M_Duong60]

Not sure about this yet but there are some guides out there to making your own lead weights and was wondering if anyone has done this and if it pays off.

[quikdrive]

Have done this a few times with my Dad. We would get free lead from Mr. Tire and melt it down on the outside grill side burner. As long as we kept the molds clean they came out pretty good. If you get the lead for free it can be worth it.

[M_Duong60]

Oh I would have thought that you needed a smelter..do you just pour it in with a spoon?

[quikdrive]

We had a ladle that was designed to pour lead. Would set that on the burner and melt the lead in that then poor using the ladle. Trick is to heat up the molds also to help the lead flow in.

Similar to one like this. http://www.barlowstackle.com/Large-L...e-P356C62.aspx

[bignose]

There's a good bit of YouTube videos on how to do this. Just search under "pouring lead fishing weights " and you'll come up with 3 or 4 dozen.

You must be very careful with wheel weights because they will give off fumes when heated. Outdoors and well ventilated only.

Spoon? No, don't use anything that may eventually come into contact with food to handle lead. Plus you need something large enough to contain enough molten lead to fill the mold in one pour.

When pouring lead, use long sleeves, rubber or leather gloves and eye protection are a must. Keep any source of water far away from your pouring area. Water hitting molten lead causes some dangerous steam explosions with molten lead splattering everything.
You can use a propane torch and a ladle as mentioned above, or you can buy a melter-about $45.00-$50.00 or go the eBay route if you want to do this on a larger scale. If you are just doing this for yourself and a few friends, the torch is fine.

If you want to do more than a few sinkers, I'd buy some linotype metal on eBay.
This is a lead alloy, and takes details well. I use this on everything from tiny shad darts, up to large jig heads.

Does it pay off? Well, it's entertaining, but the best you can hope for if you purchase a mold is to maybe break even. But that's not the point. If you can find a couple of used molds, either via the flea market route, or eBay, you may save a couple of bucks that way.

[Memory Maker]

What Bignose said .........

Just remember guys that nothing in fishing is cheaper than just buying some if you only need a few (usually less than 100). The value comes with knowing that you did it yourself.

Also, the tire weights are only partially lead these days and most car places now charge you for them. In addition, ......... PLEASE be careful ...... lead melting point is 650 degrees and the fumes are very toxic .......... I used to pour in short sleeve shirts and shorts ....... that was before I was pouring at a friends house when he took a ladle from a warm house out to a cold shed while we melted the lead ........ the ladle had a little condensation on it and there was an explosion of molten lead ..... we were VERY lucky ........ I had a couple of drops hit my clothes and burned them ......... the guy pouring got a drop on the hand that left a scar ........... now I only pour with long clothes and gloves at least ..........

That said ....... pouring is fun ......... and once you have the molds and equipment ........ cheaper than buying and it allows you to change them if you want too ...... keep your eyes open for cheap lead ......... sailboat keels, x ray rooms, linotype ........ .etc

[M_Duong60]

Ok thanks for all the help.

I want to look around for lead first before I make the decision to but a smelter/blowtorch an a mold

[Followme438]

Same as everyone else has said. Definitely be careful about moisture and wear proper attire. Also, ensure that you are in a WELL ventilated area. I always pour my lead (be it for weights or reloading ammunition) outside. A tip that I have learned to ease the process is to use spray graphite as a mould release. This stuff drys super fast and is fairly cheap. If you want any further pointers, just shoot me a PM. I've been casting with lead for about 15 years. Good luck and remember, SAFETY FIRST

[medicyaker]

I pour and make my own lead sinkers. I got a few molds and have about 150+ lbs of lead currently so I should get melting. +1 on what MM said. The fumes are VERY TOXIC and could potentially be lethal. Its nothing like making your own sinkers, Sharing with buddies or making your own lures or fly's and catching fish on the gear that you made with your own hands. Just be careful with melting lead. use a facemask (surgical type will do) and gloves. I have plenty of the masks if you want a few. I'm a medic and have an endless supply... Hospitals. You can buy lead from basspro or go to your local scrap yard for auto batteries or scrap lead ingots already melted down.