using lead for weight

[Parrot Racing]

can anyone tell me how to go about melting the lead to pour into the car? I used a stainless steel ladle and used a blow torch to melt the lead but as soon as I took the torch off the lead I barely had time to pour it, it solidified immediately and was just an irregular odd shaped chunk in the cars cavity. is there a better way to do this

[Mr. Slick]

The method that I have found to work the best is to hold the lead with a long pair of pliers and apply torch directly to the lead. Letting the drips fall into the hole until the desired weight has been achieved.

I do this with the cars on a scale. I no longer use lead - switched to tin solder a few years back. More expensive but nowhere near as toxic. A pound roll does several cars and the actual volume needed isn't that much more than the lead -- I end up filling the hole a bit more.

Remember to enlarge the bottom of the hole so that the metal won't fall out when the car is turned upside down.

[Lucky 13]

I use a cast iron ladle. It will hold the heat longer, making the lead stay in liquid form longer. I heat the ladle with a propane blow torch first, then add/melt the lead. You can also purchase lead melting pots. Check out jannsnetcraft.com for info on them.



Lucky 13

[HyperDrive]

Parrotracing,
Just what Lucky said, use a CAST IRON laddle. Heat IT up first a little, cast iron loves to absorb heat, then melt the lead. I bought mine here:
www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/2,123.html
I bought the rowell #2 laddle (bottom right)
I used to drip the lead into the cavity but, for me that caused too many air gaps between drips because it does solidify as soon as it hits. Air gaps=wasted space

[JOKER]

Stainless or cast iron containers will work as suggested. If the lead is solidifying too soon......it would seem that it is just not hot enough.

[captain walleye]

GUYS I USE A ELECTRIC MELTING POT MADE FOR POURING LEAD JIGS FOR FISHING. I ALSO FORM COPPER PIPE TO THE SIZE I WANT POUR IT IN LET IT COOL. CUT THE COPPER OFF AND SLIDE IT IN THE CAR.

[DerbyDoc.com]

You might need a different type of gas for your torch, Im not sure what the brand I use is rated but I buy the blue torch tanks from walmart. There about $2.50 each. Also you could be using a torch head that doesnt heat up properly. I used to have one that was really old, I switched to a new one and I could tell a big difference.

[Gravity Steve]

On my last car, I used a propane torch and dripped it in. But, it was all lumpy, and partly above the surface. I sanded it some, but was removing too much lead, and the hole wasn't full. So, I put it in a pie tin and baked it in the oven. Once the lead melted, I took the car out and let it cool. Wife was not too happy, but the lead fumes were contained by a lid.

Be careful to do something ugly to the lead melting skillet so nobody would ever think of cooking with it later!

[srcracing]

when building a really slimline car its hard to get car to 5oz with lead ,without putting towards middle and the front of car will tungston remedy this problem?

[Gravity Steve]

srcracing said:

when building a really slimline car its hard to get car to 5oz with lead ,without putting towards middle and the front of car will tungston remedy this problem?

Yes! It is denser, so you can occupy a smaller area and have the weight within the thickness. About 1/3 less volume.

[Smokinjoesracing]

Tungston is also completely safe and reusable.

[Smokinjoesracing]

ichiban said:

Dont stop using lead over the health scare. Dont go eating the lead and you'll be fine. Anyone living in a house older than 25 years is likely using water that has been carried through pipes connected with lead.

True...the best reason to use tungston is that your weight can be more concentrated and the car can have a lower profile which will increase speed.