I pounded out old lead wheel weights to make a flat surface for gasket punching. The sealing properties are not as good as the purchased lead tank gaskets. Am I work hardening the lead? David L
wheel wieghts are not pure lead but fairly close. You could try heating and cooling and see how it goes
In the UK wheel balance weights are no longer made of lead. They use Zinc or steel. As geeves said the old weights were not pure lead but a lead alloy, probably containing Antimony, which hardens the alloy and makes it difficult to work. Get some lead sheet as used by roofing contractors for flashings and seal. Best Regards, Kerophile.
Kerophile hit it spot on, wheel weights are alloyed with antimony to make them harder, works great for casting bullets, but crap for making gaskets. Linotype metal for printing slugs was right up there for hardness as well. If you want to find pure lead, check with the plumbers in the area for lead pipe pulled off jobs, I've got some that way as well. Melt it and pour it on aluminium foil and let it cool, great way to make thin sheets of lead. Murph
When discovered, antimony was originally described as lead. But it was isolated as a distinct element in the mid 1500's. It, as well as tin, is often added to lead to make a more hard-wearing material. Most of today's antimony now comes from a region of China.
Thank you for the information. Ebay is full of listings for reclaimed lead. Much of it probably from wheel weights. I will be talking to plumbers at work. David L
Another source of pure lead is musket balls. Black powder shooters use pure lead in their muzzleloaders. If you know anyone who shoots, I am sure they will give you a few. If you can't find any, pm me and I will send you a few.
Air rifle lead pellets could be melted down perhaps? Maybe ask at your local scout site for some 'spent' pellets from their rifle range if they have one.
Air rifle pellets are likely pure lead as they have to seal in the chamber to trap the air pressure. The problem with them is you will have to heat them and cast them in a larger billet. If you do, make sure you do so outside as melting lead carries air borne health risks and have a dedicated melting pot. I don't know on fishing weights, I know home made were often made from wheel weights which are too hard. I would think that the current ones are pure as the additive metals are expensive and there is no reason to add hardeners to fishing weights. As mentioned above, most of your industrial lead will work, plumber, roofer, etc but you have to buy a lot. If the musket balls are available (also good as you are starting with a round billet) then I think fishing weights would be your cheapest alternative. Easy test wiould be how easily they hammer flat. Side note: Won't be long before lead goes the way of asbestos as it is already heavily regulated and getting more so.
I've been fortunate in that I found the remnants of an old fireplace in the bush on my property. It had about 1/2 square metre of 2mm thick lead sheeting associated with it, so I have an endless supply. @kerry460 was also very kind in giving me a roll of much thinner lead sheet. Cheers Tony
Hi, Fettlebox has service kits for the Monitor 17 B at a very modest price: For the unique British Monitor 17B. Although the size of the classic Primus & Optimus 96 several of the seals are not compatable. Kit contains Premium leather pump washer - large VITON filler cap washer VITON non-return valve (NRV) Lead external NRV washer Lead tank/burner washer Price £2.90 GBP. Best Regards, Kerophile.
I bought a roll of lead flashing. It was not expensive and would last about ten lifetimes of lead washer making.
