How to tell the difference in materials

[zarrinvz24]

Another way is by the sound they make when dropped on a concrete floor. Ring = zinc. Dull thud = Lead. If your not sure don't worry just keep going, you will figure it out soon enough.

[Rickf1985]

I have had a few recently which are interesting. You can cut them with side cutters like lead but they crumble or snap when you do. The effort to do that is the same as lead. Thinking this was just hard alloy lead I tossed them in the pot but I always keep my melt at or below 700 degrees since zinc melts at 750 plus. Well, those questionable ones floated and were just thinking about melting at 700 so out they came. I don't know what they are but from now on when I hit them they go in the zinc bucket and will be used for zinc ingots.

[DCB]

I am set to go through the bucket of wheel weights. Im going to try three or four methods to start.
Use a magnet to check for steel, drop test and I have my lead pot to check for melt.
lead should melt around 630* zinc around 750*
Il use a pair side cutters as well.
Ill let you know how I did.

[oley55]

I'm late on this suggestion since you are already into it and have received plenty of suggestions here, but a YouTube search for "sorting wheel weights" will generate some really good/useful videos.

[DCB]

Thanks 55 ill check them out

[Rickf1985]

Wheel weights will melt quite a bit below 630, they will pretty much all be melted by 600. I will watch the pot and as soon as I can start scooping clips out I do. I don't wait for it to get up to 650, if it is liquid I am scooping and getting clips and anything else that is not melted out. You may pull out some stick on's that are pure lead and they will melt at a higher temp but you will see what they are and you can put them back but I always play it safe and I have yet to melt a zinc.