Lead Metal Source??

Looking for a source to buy lead to pour into a mold to make a ballast plate.

Any sources close to northshore MA area?

Thanks again guys.

www.speedwaymotors.com sells lead. mike http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

Many sports racers use diving weights -- they come in handy 3 & 5 lbs increments.

Thanks guys but looking for the poured lead. Any places sell this stuff?

Lead, regardless of whether it's diving weights or X-ray shielding or stock car bricks, becomes "pourable" once it reaches its melting point.

If you're looking for something easy to find, buy 25lb. bags of shotgun shot from your friendly local gunshop. You'll just have to find something to melt it in, and then a mold to 'pour' it into.

Better advice: Find a local scrap yard, or a machine shop. Buy some steel plates, or go with barbell weights, as have been already recommended. Much more sturdy. Much easier to find. No concerns about toxic heavy metals.

And, as all experienced racers know, iron is much faster than lead, pound-for-pound.

Great thanks.

Here's a suggestion I got from a buddy the other day - go to a tire store and ask for used rim weights.

Try a plumbers supply store. It melts a lot cleaner than shot.

McMaster.com sells it, but of course the shipping is a pain because it is so heavy.

Lead shot in a canister of some sort works very well as you can add or subtract as needed w/ different drivers/wheels/fuel etc. A pc of pipe or square tubing w/ the ends capped and a threaded fitting on top will contain it nicely.

Melting lead is a bit of a pain and lead poisoning makes you stupid (literally).

Check at you local tire shop. Wheel weights melt too and just might be free...

Re: Melting and pouring lead. Do this very carefully. If any water or other volatile compound gets in contact with the liquid lead it will flash to vapour and cause an explosion of molten lead. Avoid wheel weights, they come with lots of dirt and other stuff that will cause trouble. Handling molten lead is tricky. Avoid it if you can.
Better to use lead shot in a canister - much easier to adjust the amount. Or use small hexagonal lead ingots from a plumbing supply house. These can be drilled and bolted to a frame.
Best Regards - Bill Miskoe