Going to the scrap yard

[Acknott]

I am going to the scrap yard tomorrow, and maybe regularly after. I called and they will sell me lead for a very good price! I shoot muzzleloaders and lead slugs (12 gauge) tight now. What are some scrap sources/items to look for for softer lead? I dont have a hardness tester so I really need your help!

[Teemu]

Lead roll or plate like from x-ray rooms are usually pure...Or at least those are which I've been found on scrap yards

[Acknott]

Thank you! Its is on my list

[Winger Ed.]

If the price is good, grab any kind of Lead.

Its getting harder and harder to get as time goes on.
And the price will not go down in the future- at least not much.
What you don't need right now--- WW, solder, etc., you might want it in the future, or can sell/trade it off.

Years ago, I'd go to the scrap yard and buy Lead for 25 cents a pound.
I used a lot of it casting sinkers & boolits.
Later on,,, I also sold a fair amount back to the same scrap yard for $1. a pound too.

[Joe504]

Roof vents are soft lead

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[toallmy]

Lead water pipe would be good also .

[MrWolf]

Lucky you. Places around here won't sell, to the public. Grab it while you can.

[Acknott]

Wow, I didn't know it was that hard to get these days. I will get it as I can afford it I suppose.

[Conditor22]

The scrapyard near me sells lead for $1.50 per pound.

most of what they have is roofing lead from pipe jacks (roof vents for pipes), pans, and valleys (sheets of lead to cover flat areas).--all close to pure.

occasionally I'll find some rolls of solder in the bin and snag them.

[Jim22]

I might be wrong but I think lead pipe is pretty much an east coast thing. Builders and cities used it for water pipe before the health concerns were well known.

[The Dar]

Good for you on finding a dealer that will sell to you. I agree with the others, if they are willing to sell you lead get all you can afford. It doesn't spoil. Lead pipe should work for your muzzleloader. the joints will be a harder alloy, might want to cut the joints off for other uses. Depending on the time of day you may want to take a dozen donuts, pizza, or a 12 pack of beer for the workers. It goes a long way for future exploits.

I can get wheel weights from my scrap dealer, trouble is, lead, zinc, and steel are all mixed together. They will let me sort and I do so only if I see a lot of lead in the top of the 55 gallon drums. I normally come home with about 60 lbs. If I don't see lead weights I come home with none. They always have some lead pipe, think I'll try some to blend with some hard lead I have.

[Dusty Bannister]

I see a lot of lead plumbing pipe and fittings in the scrap yards here in KS. Most common for homes built until at least the mid 50's. The wiped joints are solder of various ratios and it is a good idea to melt those off and then melt all the lead pipe and traps. Avoid the aroma.

[lightman]

Lead pipe, cable sheathing, sheet lead, lead roof vents (jacks), lead bricks, plumbing lead like lead P-traps and stick-on wheelweights are usually soft lead. Finding a yard that will sell to the public is rare. Take advantage of it while you can!

[Acknott]

Awesome! I picked up 20lbs of pure lead and 20lbs of wheel weights today, I will definitely be going back. He has a few hundred pounds of downrigger weights but I'm not sure the alloy mix on those.

[slim1836]

Awesome! I picked up 20lbs of pure lead and 20lbs of wheel weights today, I will definitely be going back. He has a few hundred pounds of downrigger weights but I'm not sure the alloy mix on those.

Take a little of Muriatic acid with you to test. drop on lead, if it bubbles, don't buy it. Couple drops on it just to test it is all you need.

If they have an IR gun, that may narrow it down for you as to its composition.

Slim

Slim

[Jim22]

Stopped by my local scrap yard today. They will sell me lead at a good price. I asked about wheel weights. They had a lot. I will pick up 40 lbs of wheel weights tomorrow. Prolly order some pure lead as well. Does anyone tip the employees? How much?

[Winger Ed.]

Does anyone tip the employees? How much?

I'd bring beer---
If they make an effort to hold stuff for ya, or will call when a good stash comes in.

Otherwise, I wouldn't bother.
They're selling to you for a noticeable amount more than they get when they put a truck on the road and take everything to a foundry.

[jim147]

Yeah if they seem like they will help you out a six or twelve pack falling off the truck around closing time might help later.

[turtlezx]

jim ask if you can sort out the lead 1s right there might be paying for alotta junk

[Jim22]

The old man who owns the yard has a kid in his twenties doing the work. Deal was for an extra dime a pound the kid will smelt, skim off clips, ad make ingots. I'm looking forward to picking them up.