Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: greese30 on November 06, 2013, 10:51:50 PM

Title: Making your own weights
Post by: greese30 on November 06, 2013, 10:51:50 PM
I have a bunch of old lead pipe and my pops speaks of people melting and making their own weights.  Anyone here ever do such a thing and willing to give me the low down? I'm thinking of moulding some 14-16 oz weights for bar fishing the fraser. I got te lead, may as well put it to use.
Title: Re: Making your own weights
Post by: bmynbr on November 06, 2013, 11:01:09 PM
I just made a bunch of 10 oz out of old tire weights. I got a cheap cast iron frying pan from the dollar store and heated it up on a camp stove. Made a mold out of two 2x4's. Made rings out of some copper wire. Made 15 before too much lead would leak from where the wood burned away. Would be way better if you could get some plate aluminum or steel
Title: Re: Making your own weights
Post by: ICA on November 07, 2013, 07:21:34 AM
Fellas, a word of caution for your own safety; Do not do this in the house to avoid inhaling the fumes from residual fluxes.
Title: Re: Making your own weights
Post by: FlyFishin Magician on November 07, 2013, 07:39:28 AM
Fellas, a word of caution for your own safety; Do not do this in the house to avoid inhaling the fumes from residual fluxes.

Yes, thanks for the post ICA.  Lead is toxic so be careful.  In fact, I wouldn't bother - not worth the risks.  But if you do, here is a publication from WorkSafeBC about lead:

http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/assets/pdf/lead.pdf

Lead is particularly bad for children, so be sure to keep any dusts or residues away from your kids!  Good luck...
Title: Re: Making your own weights
Post by: bmynbr on November 07, 2013, 07:40:00 AM
Totally forgot to mention the hazards. Always do it outside. I wear a mask too.  And be really careful when you add more lead to the melted lead. Lead holds water, and when you add it the water turns to steam and will pop molten lead out of the pot.  Which is why I also wear glasses
Title: Re: Making your own weights
Post by: Outdoorsman on November 07, 2013, 09:58:35 AM
Hahaha..think I'll just stick to robbing the change jar and buying them from the fishing store! Better to spend a couple dollars for me, than to miss a weekend fishing from getting molten lead on me lol  :D
Title: Re: Making your own weights
Post by: Suther on November 07, 2013, 10:53:12 AM
Hahaha..think I'll just stick to robbing the change jar and buying them from the fishing store! Better to spend a couple dollars for me, than to miss a weekend fishing from getting molten lead on me lol  :D
Or a lifetime of fishing if you give yourself lead poisoning.
Title: Re: Making your own weights
Post by: Rantalot on November 07, 2013, 12:13:49 PM
Avoid rain at all cost one drop in molten lead and kaboom !!!!
Title: Re: Making your own weights
Post by: Noahs Arc on November 08, 2013, 06:06:12 AM
There are some good videos out there, mostly pertaining to cast boolit moulding but the same precautions apply. If using wheel weights make sure you know what they are as lots are made from different materials these days. Melting lead is completely harmless to your health IF done correctly.
Title: Re: Making your own weights
Post by: bmynbr on November 08, 2013, 10:58:23 PM
Wheel weights are easy to identify, throw them all in and when the lead ones melt everything else floats. Just make sure you take all the junk off. Cause eventually the others will melt too
Title: Re: Making your own weights
Post by: CohoMan on November 09, 2013, 04:27:19 AM
Not worth it. A friend die from making his on weight in his garage after a year. No body knew until it was too late.
Title: Re: Making your own weights
Post by: fishyfish on November 09, 2013, 12:53:33 PM
Are you able to elaborate coho man? What did he actually die from?
Title: Re: Making your own weights
Post by: Suther on November 09, 2013, 02:26:59 PM
Not worth it. A friend die from making his on weight in his garage after a year. No body knew until it was too late.

Yeah being in a confined space is no good. If you want to do something like this you are best to wear a respirator and be somewhere with lots of air circulation. Even if you survive lead poisoning is no fun.