Shot for weight????

[KrisB]

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

I made my own (cast) weights, too... but it wasn't about savings, it was about shape. I have a weight integrated BC, and I figured the best way to get the most appropriate size was to custom make them.

It worked out OK, and I did pretty good on an IQ test a few months later, so I'm pretty sure there were no real affects. Just make sure you're in a ventilated area if you're melting your own lead!

 

[Wayward Son]

I happened to have a supply of #12 shot on hand, that I use to load shotshells for 357 and 44 mag handguns. I put 6 lbs of lead in pouches that are supposed to hold 5 lbs. Been working fine for several dive trips now.

 

[Hoosier]

What is the exact material of weight pouch? Where can I get the materials? I mean, not pre-cut one....

Thanks in advance,

 

[liberato]

Bismuth gets around the lead oxide problem.

 

[Snowbear]

What is the exact material of weight pouch? Where can I get the materials?

Most are made from some sort of heavy duty Nylon, like Cordura or Ballistic nylon, which should be available at most any fabric store. I've seen ones made from a plasticy mesh, but don't know where to get that stuff.

 

[FatRob]

just cast solid weights...

no bag, unless you want one, 100% packing density inside the casting at least...
easy to dip in tool dip if you want to protect your kids from the lead. (or paint them)
no need to use steel shot which is only 80% as effective underwater as lead... (density)
and it's dead easy!

 

[duncan1958]

can some one tell me how you smelt the lead safely and cast it ,obvious in well vented garage for starters.
I have a fair bit of lead from picking up fishing weights of the bottom and would like to put this to good use.As in make up some small weights to put in my trim pouches on my bcd.Thanks

 

[KrisB]

can some one tell me how you smelt the lead safely and cast it ,obvious in well vented garage for starters.
I have a fair bit of lead from picking up fishing weights of the bottom and would like to put this to good use.As in make up some small weights to put in my trim pouches on my bcd.Thanks

garage? no! carport maybe... pref outdoors on a nice day (i.e. no rain).

Other than that, just stay as far away from it as you can -- don't hover over top of it as it's melting.

Use receptacles and utensils that will *only* be used for lead casting -- do not reuse them for any food-related purposes *ever*.

 

[duncan1958]

Thanks for info ,safety guidelines etc.
What does one use as a mould ,and in what is best thing to melt lead in.
I guess that a blow torch would melt the stuff.
could I make a steel container up to melt lead and heat from underneath.
or use an old saucepan.

 

[KrisB]

Thanks for info ,safety guidelines etc.
What does one use as a mould ,and in what is best thing to melt lead in.
I guess that a blow torch would melt the stuff.
could I make a steel container up to melt lead and heat from underneath.
or use an old saucepan.

I used a saucepan picked up from Value Village, heated on a Coleman campstove.

Keep in mind that if you use a blowtorch, you have to be right next to it during the melting process... something that is good to avoid.

There are some trickier ways, too... but aren't really worth the bother in my experience.

I used a cookie sheet for the moulds, then hacksawed them to the right size... but YMMV.