Shot for weight????

[carldarl]

Just got some mesh bags sewn up for making my own soft weights. What size shot would be the best size to use? #4, #2 or buckshot? Does it really make a difference as long as it is large enough to stay in?

Waiting for the ice to melt and the water to warm to 40 degrees before I go get wet.

 

[wolves64t]

I would go for the smallest size shot that will stay in your pouch. Smaller shot fits together with the smallest amount of dead space, allowing you to have more weight in a smaller pouch. Also if you have trouble with shot running out of your pouch you can use panty hose to make small pouches that go inside of you mesh bags. Be careful though if you dont protect them they will tear very easily.

E.B.

 

[carldarl]

Thanks E.B.

I found out it was almost imposible t find lead here. Since lead shot is outlawed steel is all there is for sale. I did find some 4's and bought 50 pounds. That should cover me, my wife and one of the two kids. Might have to fins one more bag for the other kid...

 

[JustinW]

lead shot is illegal in Idaho?? In California I know its illegal for use with waterfowl, but you can use it for upland game. Hmm, learn something new everyday.

 

[RICHinNC]

I would recommend two things....if you end up with lead...

one...wash it real well first...

two...put it in a plastic bag and tape the bag shut really well.

also.....i made mine in 1 lb bags to give me the most flexibility in selecting the correct amount of weight (versus larger heavier bags)

 

[Tom Winters]

Lead shot exudes that milky junk that will stain stuff over time - maybe up the ante and look at nickle-plated shot?

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Copper plated shot is relatively common, but not nickel. So using plated shot is a case of trading milky white ooze for greenish ooze.

Using zip locks is also a measure of only limited success. The shot eventually wears holes in them whihc is not all bad as on the other hand if they are truly well sealed then you have problems with the air in them compressing at depth which strains the bag. (think really severe vaccuum bagging.)

Which leads to the best solution I have found so far - the heavy plastic bags intended for vacuum bagging and heat sealing food items. They are tough enough to wear well and when heat sealed do a better job of remaining water proof at least with relatively small sized shot.

If you go with lead shot in mesh bags, larger shot sizes have a lot less surface area than smaller shot sizes which reduces oxidation and the larger spaces between the shot mean better rinsing, quicker draining, and much less potential for milky white ooze in the dive bag. I would not go any smaller than #4 shot and #2 or buckshot is even better.

 

[sharpenu]

How much cost savings do you get? Weight is the cheapest thing we carry. Is it enough to justify all the trouble?

 

[FredT]

Small shot and large shot have the same packing density, about 50%. To improve density you need to mix the sizes based on the stacking geometry. Something about BB size and #7 will get you up to about 65%. I'd have to check the sizes but you end up with theoretical semi pyramidal spaces between the bigger balls. Smaller balls sized to go in between the big ones need to be 90% of so of the minimum space size. Adding a third layer equal to the size of the remiaining spaces will get you about another 7 or 8%. It's easier to just cast 'em if you want packing density. To avoid the lead oxide you can urethane coat the lead, but that is a REAL PITA :icon10:
FT

 

[carldarl]

Thank you everyone. I ended up with #4 lead shot as it was all I could find. Since I dive mainly fresh water and always rinse well after dives I think it will be all right. I have two sets. One with purchased bags and one home-sewn set. For the difference in cost the pre-made bags are worth the $2.25 each. Still well under $1.00 per pound total instead of $2.50 per pound from the LDS.