Group Buy idea - Lead/Wheel Weights

[Fleataxi]

Everyone: the local supply of wheel weights has totally dried up in my AO - town's too small to support # of reloaders that cast with recycled wheel weights. Even local salvage yards, etc are wiped out. Plumbing supply stores are only selling small quantites (5-10 pounds) to plumbers or frequent customers.

Any ideas about how to set up a local group buy (say 1-2 tons of lead) and distribute the lead?

We'd either need a mixture close to WW, or antimony/tin/arsenic to add to the pure lead so it will cast properly, and quench hard (water quench) for boolits?

With lead Wheel Weights getting the HAZMAT treatment in CA, the rest of the US is soon to follow. We need to either develop other sources, or find alternatives. I doubt anyone would want to store 2 tons of lead?

Fleataxi

[fishhawk]

believe me 2 tons of lead doesn't take up that much room........

[mooman76]

Some military bases have lead salvage in their auctions in large quantities. they will have allot of junk in with them though! You might try some shooting ranges for reclaimed lead bullets.

[mold maker]

It doesn't take up much room, but you better be careful where you store it. Depending on the packing its only 6 cu ft.
If stacked it would overload the flooring system of most wooden construction.

[Fleataxi]

mold maker: I would be storing it on a concrete or packed earth floor. Lead is almost as dense as an Obama Voter! :D

Fleataxi

[mugsie]

Fleataxi - that comment was GREAT! :mrgreen:

[dromia]

You'd be better raising this on the Group Buy forum.

[Jimlakeside]

At some point we most likely will have to have a group buy on lead. The biggest problem as I see it is shipping. If we bought 2 tons, had it shipped to Place A, and then reshipped to all of us who want a share of it, I think the shipping will kill us.

I am buying approximately 100 lbs a month from Ebay. Typically ingots from pure wheel weights can be purchased for $1.00/lb or less plus $10.00 shipping. 50lbs would cost $60.00 or $1.20/lb including shipping. I haven't found lead any cheaper than this.

I have contacted two lead suppliers and their shipped prices are in the $3.00/lb range and higher.

http://www.american-tinandsolder.com/

http://www.bulletmetals.net/index.htm

http://www.maycoindustries.com/

http://www.rotometals.com/Linotype-Bullet-Casting-Alloy-Ingot-4-Tin-12-Antimony-And-84-Lead_p_93-1896.html

[targetshootr]

Lead is almost as dense as an Obama Voter! Or a trickle-down Republican!

[leadeye]

One way to work this might be to have someone with a truck go to the producer and then have people meet him at stops along the way home.

[Fleataxi]

Leadeye: I was thinking buying enough lead to make it worth it for a commercial trucking company to pick up 10-20 tons from a neighboring state (from NV it would be CA or UT) and drop-ship it here. If we could get enough locals interested in buying 100-500 pounds each, it would be worth it.

I'm having serious issues locating lead producers or large commercial users in nearby states - any ideas/help appreciated!

Fleataxi

[leadeye]

I am a long way from Nevada, I would have to work out something with one of the lead producers in Missouri.

[wiljen]

I have a lead foundry within driving distance of me that has come in handy. That would be the first thing I checked as shipping charges will quickly outprice the cost of the alloy itself.

[KYCaster]

Wil, do you mind telling us where that foundry is? I'd like to find a good source within driving distance.

Jerry

[Blammer]

what do the lead tire wts cost that the auto places use?

find thier suppliers and buy from them

[Just Duke]

HERE'S YOUR ANSWER.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=36786

[missionary5155]

mold maker: I would be storing it on a concrete or packed earth floor. Lead is almost as dense as an Obama Voter! :D

Fleataxi

A garage or shed lower 2x4 wall sill is also a good storage zone.. makes the wall base solid and WILL help hold it down in a strong wirlly wind.

[RugerFan]

Oddly enough, last week I went to a local recycler and asked what they were selling lead for. The guy said ".35 cents for soft lead and .25 cents for wheel weights." He also mentioned that lead had been up to .58 cents, but had really fallen. I bought all the roof sheathing they had (49 lbs) and will go back for the wheel weights shortly.

[Springfield]

2 Tons sounds like a huge amount, but it isn't really. Fits in your backyard neatly.