If you still use the old school weight belts like myself, you would understand the frustration when weight is lost and you find yourself constantly purchasing new pieces of lead to keep you under. I have decided that enough is enough, and have begun forging my own lead weights.
Lead is an easily malleable element, albeit exuding toxic fumes, that has a melting point of 327.5 degrees celcius. But before you get around to handling the metal we need a mold. Unless you manage to hunt out a spare 3lb or 6lbdive weight mold from your mates, hitting up eBay or online stores such as www.spearfishing.com.au will see you come out in front. I have picked up a few cheap 3lb molds for around AU$22 but have struggled to find anything larger as yet.
So, where do I start?
The process is actually extremely simple. All you need is to grab yourself a gas stove, a cast iron pot, safety mask or glasses, heavy duty gloves and a cast iron ladle large enough to fill a mold in one go (so that the lead doesn’t start to set mid fill).
Making sure you wear full length protective clothing and a face mask if you have one handy, begin by heating up enough lead to make your desired number of weights. Remember to start small with your first few runs until you have the process down. You can use old fishing sinkers, existing small dive weights, chunks of lead you purchase from scrap yards, and any other lead you can get your hands on. It will take a while for the stove to heat the lead to it’s melting point of 327.5 degrees Celsius (or 621.5 decrees Fahrenheit) so be patient. It is also important to heat the mold before pouring molten lead into it or…. BOOM, you will almost certainly cop a hit of burning lead to the body, and don’t ever drop wet lead into your pot if it is cooled. Be careful. If unsure, always place a board between yourself and the mold until you are certain your mold temperature is suitable to take the lead.
It is advisable, and safer to leave the lead to cool naturally without assistance. Once everything has cooled and depending on your type of mold, you should be able to tap the lead out easily.
From starting out as an easy way to make your own weights, this can quickly turn into a great little profit maker by palming weights off to your local shops and mates.
