Weight Considerations

[DoubleBubbles]

I have recently purchased two DiveRite TransPac's for my son and me. Included with the rigs were the pockets for integrated weights and the weight pouches. I have a couple of questions about weights. I like the looks of the lead shot pouches, but they are very expensive at my LDS. I have thought about just buying the conventional lead weights, but have heard that I will need to remove them since they can leech out toxins. I have also thought about using the conventional weights, but dipping them in the rubber coating you can buy for hand tools to seal them. Of course the other option is buying online, but I will need to look at the shipping costs, which are high at some places and actually not too bad at others. Can anyone tell me the advantages or disadvantages of using conventional vs. shot weight, and suggest a low cost online supplier for weight? My LDS is not too keen on price breaks or freebies.

 

[TwoBitTxn]

Double,

Of your ideas listed the tool dipping makes the most sense to me. Buying weights online doesn't make sense IMHO. What you save over the shot bags you pay in shipping.
Lead weight is lead weight. The only problem you may have with the uncoated lead weight is the lead oxidizing and turning into a fine powder, which you are correct is toxic in high enough doses. Keep them rinsed off, out of heat, and sunlight and this will help. I have dove with both. I love my shot pouches.

Tom

 

[The Chairman]

And also being retired from Goodyear, I have buckets of old wheel weights... they go great in the poaches and are made of lead. The cost was right too... FREE!

:tease:

 

[Rick Murchison]

Leaching toxins from lead block weights isn't a measurable (biologically significant) factor. Lead shot presents many times the surface area for reaction with the surrounding liquid than block weights, but even so isn't measurably reactive (biologically significant) with salt or fresh water.
Now, if you were to let the shot dry after salt water immersion and then lick 'em, you might get enough lead salts to make you sick, but probably not.
Under any circumstances, weights should be removed from weight pockets and rinsed with fresh water and allowed to dry separately as part of your general maintenance procedures.
Personally, I've used shot bags and block weights in the transpac's integrated pockets with no problems.
Have fun,
Rick

 

[TexasMike]

Pete.....never considered the wheel balancing weights as potential scuba gear.....and I am part owner of a salvage yard at that! Hmmmm....and I was needing some one pounders....


And I bet the rest of these fine folks could get some of the older weights at their local tire center if they also wanted to make their own.

 

[syruss32]

Originally posted by TexasMike
Pete.....never considered the wheel balancing weights as potential scuba gear.....and I am part owner of a salvage yard at that! Hmmmm....and I was needing some one pounders....


And I bet the rest of these fine folks could get some of the older weights at their local tire center if they also wanted to make their own.

Okay Mike you need to pick me up 26 pounds of lead so I can pour them into 2 molds. Then I only need 2 weights. Damn it is a pain to be so bouyant!

 

[donooo]

Double

First, what kind of diving are you gonna be doing? (I hate it when you guys ask that) Here's where I'am comin from. I just did a Dry Suit class in cold water with 34lbs in my weight pockets. That sucks. You can go to DiveRite and buy some weight pouches that connect to the small D-rings in the back that is non ditchable. I'am to cheap for that and am gonna be traveling so,,, I'am makin some small webbing with grommets in the ends and I bought some clips so I can attach some of the blocks in back.(him,mid or low)In warm water I might put 2-4lb blocks in back.
So I'am saying that depending on how much weight and where you are diving you might need different kinds in different places. If you go off a dive boat you might use their blocks. If you are doing shore dives in cold water you don't want it all in the front pockets. IMHO

good luck don O

 

[TexasMike]

Syruss....stop in sometime and I'll let you had all the lead you want to take with you. As it is, we just toss it back into a car we are crushing.

 

[DoubleBubbles]

Well my son and I are new divers (logged 6 dives so far) so I am not sure where this journey is going to take us. Having to still buy regulators for 2 of us I am sure things like a drysuit are a bit into the future. We also still need to buy wetsuits, but that is a different thread. I have just remembered that I have a friend who owns a scrap metal yard here in Columbia, TN. I have also seen a mold for weights up to 4.5 lbs online for around $20 including shipping. I just need to determine if it is worth the effort. I am still convinced though that if I do go with conventional weights that dipping them in a rubberized coating would be advantagous.

 

[The Chairman]

Hey all,

The lead melting process is fairly easy, and does NOT require a ton of heat. An old grill with a side burner will do nicely, as will those boiler/frying single burners. Use a STEEL (not aluminininininininum) pot with a STOUT handle and DON'T overload it. Forget about using that pot FOR ANYTHING BUT LEAD AFTER THIS!!! Stay out of the fumes, keep the kids and rover out of the fumes as well. If you use old wheel weights, have an old garden fork in order to get the steel clips out of the mix. Pour away from you and cover the ground with a disposable cover (don't want to corntamerininininate the ground, do we???)(Unless you do this at your Ex's house). Use leather welder's gloves for the m0ost comfort and protection from splashing molten lead... and oh yeah, SAFETY GLASSES ARE A MUST!!!

And Syrus, at least you're not depressed...

:tease: