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  #1  
Old 10-22-2012, 11:23 AM
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dlazarus6660 dlazarus6660 is offline
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Default lead weights

I was reading in 'Projects' about the Mars Snooper and using lead weight. They can be bought but I make my own. Cheap and easy.

Your local hardware,Lowes,Home Depot will have a flat washer with either a 1/2, 5/8, or 3/4 size hole, clamp the washer down on a thick piece of steel plate. Get some wheel weights and use a propane torch to 'melt' the wheel weight into the washer. Let it cool then drill a hole for the screw eye. Get the used wheel weights at any tire center, usually for free.
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Old 10-22-2012, 12:03 PM
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Semroc used to sell the "old-school Estes" style lead weights with the little center hole, but I believe they have switched to steel washers. Maybe you can still get from them if you ask.
Beware that most wheel weights are now not made of Lead. They are now zinc.
Seems the EPA is pushing everyone to be a lead-free WEENIE whether they want to be or not.
That gubmint organization is about as useful as a pogo-stik in a bathtub.
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Old 10-22-2012, 12:34 PM
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I remember back in the 1970s when I was a wee lad in the Cub Scouts a lot of us used fishing weights, tire ballancing weights, or Estes lead weights (these were easier to use due to the cylindrical shape) in Pinewood Derby cars to bring it to the regulation 5oz weight.

Speaking of which... info on weights for Pinewood derby cars.
http://www.abc-pinewood-derby.com/weights.php
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Old 10-22-2012, 05:34 PM
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I used to bite my lead sinkers to lock them onto my fishin line. It ain't affected me none...nope...not one little bit.
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Old 10-22-2012, 06:23 PM
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Most lead poisoning is actually not by contacting lead. Ask any stained glass window guy. It's lead added to motor fuels seeping into ground water and lead in paint being eaten by children. Solve those two known sources and we can reintroduce a valuable commodity back into society.

Tech Jerry
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Old 10-22-2012, 10:57 PM
Ltvscout Ltvscout is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tbzep
I used to bite my lead sinkers to lock them onto my fishin line. It ain't affected me none...nope...not one little bit.

I still bite the split shot sinkers on to the line. That's how I was taught!
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  #7  
Old 10-23-2012, 06:21 AM
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You can make the disks easily out of lead flashing. The only problem is that a whole roll is a little pricey and is more than you'd ever use in multiple lifetimes. Make friends with a roofer or mason. All you need is the scraps.
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Old 10-23-2012, 10:02 AM
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Elemental lead produces little toxicity unless inhaling finely powdered lead as it has little reactivity. Soluble lead salts and metallo-organic lead compounds (such as Tetraethyl Lead added to fuels) PRIOR TO BURNING are highly toxic. Once Tetraethyl is burned, the vast majority is left on valves/pistons as elemental Lead. Personally I do not think Lead should have ever been banned from regular motor fuel. It should be a PERSONAL choice.
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Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL
, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !

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ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !
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  #9  
Old 10-23-2012, 12:18 PM
stefanj stefanj is offline
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I bought a sheet of lead from McMaster-Carr many years ago, plus a set of punches.

Once in a while I get bored and punch out a dozen or so circular disks. They are about half the weight of the old Estes lead weights.

The sheet lives on the floor of my storage closet. I handle it with gloves and wash my hands after I'm done punching out the weight.
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Old 10-23-2012, 12:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tbzep
I used to bite my lead sinkers to lock them onto my fishin line. It ain't affected me none...nope...not one little bit.

I'd say that's an effective technique -- works better than biting the wax tadpole.


Hrm... speaking of dense material... has anybody considered using depeted uranium?

I suppose the ultimate ballast material would be neutronium.
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