Thread: What Do I Need To Know About Using Wheel Weights?

What does that mean? How do you "flux it?"

GF

I'll try to walk you thru what I do with the oddball weights I get. I use a coleman camp stove that uses liquid fuel as a heat source. I found an old cast iron pot with a handle. but a dutch oven will do also. You want it big but not huge. all wheel weights or scrap in the pot, I even pile it up very high over the top as there is a lot of dead space. Do this outside in the garage or under a porch, fan(s) present is a big help. Pump up the stove and light it, turn it up all the way and let it cook. It's gonna smoke while all the junk is burned off, sometimes a lot. I have a large commercial kitchen size strainer spoon that I use to stir and strain the steel and other trash out. A regular will do, I just found this one and like it. Once all the trash is out, stir to make sure, and throw in a chunk of candle, maybe a half inch piece. Be aware that it might and will probably go to flame, hence the long spoon. Important that while this is going on you stir to help the unseen trash and impurities come to the surface. This may take several tries to get it clean, don't be in a hurry. Ladle the product into an ingot mold, or anything of the correct size that will fit into your pot and let them cool. Hope this helps.....Skeet.

Does the pan have to be cast iron? What about the newer non-stick stuff? Those are easy to find anywhere. If it has to be cast iron, how about a cast iron fry pan or skillet, as long as you don't have too many weights?

GF

I feel bigger is better with the higher sides also being safer. Never tried the non stick stuff. I was always told to use cast iron and didn't question it. Smaller pot for smaller amount makes sense. I use the big one cuz I usually do many pounds at once. It isn't a giant undertaking but being the scrounge I am I tend to come up with enough to make at least 40lbs. A steel can to put the skim into is also needed as it will be too hot for most trash cans these days. I found all of my equipment at yard sales or flea markets.

Originally Posted by Gill Fisher

Does the pan have to be cast iron? What about the newer non-stick stuff? Those are easy to find anywhere. If it has to be cast iron, how about a cast iron fry pan or skillet, as long as you don't have too many weights?

GF

Do not use a non-stick pan or pot. Many of the coatings used on them are toxic when heated to high temperatures. It normally isn't an issue when cooking food. But lead melts at 621 degrees Fahrenheit. That is plenty hot enough to vaporize the coatings. You don't want any part of that.

This is what I use to melt the lead down. I have actually boiled lead on accident with this thing. I deal with a lot of lead. I would check scrap yards for old plumbing pipe or for the lead bricks that they use in the medical buildings to protect against X-Rays.

Academy - Outdoor Gourmet Pro DLX Propane Jet Cooker



Hope this helps,

Bobo

x2 with Skeet!! Make sure your scrap can is also dry!! I have a cast iron pot with a lid so if anything pops the lid stops it from splattering. Have all my wheel weights cleaned up so haven't messed with any for a while. My local mechanic has some full buckets full of them so when I take my car in I sort out the good ones.

Around here, scrap places pay 20 bucks for a 5 gallon bucket of wheel weights. I offer to pay the same price and usually gross 100 lbs of good lead ingots. I have buddies at tire shops and other places that save it and give it to me for jigs in return. No big deal, just skim the stuff that doesn't melt. Yes there is a ton of junk but we are dealing with toxic products so...

Also, I have a buddy that works at a casting plant. All casts are run through xray and the machines have lead that must be changed. Usually 1000lbs. I get 400 or so every time they change. Get an ingot mold or old cast iron muffin pan and do all your smolting at one time. Then you always have good clean bars of lead.

I have an old cast iron pan that fits both burners on a Coleman white gas stove. Make sure your lead is dry (no moisture) before you melt.