Removing plastic from dive weights?

[chris in va]

I scored 50# of dive weights today. What is the best way to remove the thick plastic molded to the lead?

[boog]

I've never had any like that, but I bet it would melt/burn off. Should stink like the dickens! Probably like the plastic stuff on wheel weights, just more of it. Definitely an outside job lol

[zuke]

Toss'em into the pot and let'em burn off

[JASON4X4]

I'm with zuke just let em burn

[dbeerman2000]

Drill a hole through the plastic before you put them in the pot, when the lead melts out of the hole, you can possibly remove some of the plastic before it all burns. Not that you want the plastic, just keep it from prolonging the plastic burn time. Definitely outside job.

[KYCaster]

Lay the weight on a concrete floor and beat on it with a hammer. Most of the plastic will come off with a bit of effort.

Jerry

[RogerDat]

I know of people getting tickets for burning off the plastic from copper wire to get clean copper price. Rural area but not so rural that no one complained about he burning plastic smell and black smoke. Your area may be different.

[zuke]

Add used oil, set on fire when the plastic start's to liquify

[chris in va]

Here's a pic. It's more of a soft rubberized coating, about 1/8" thick. I tried softening it with a heat gun but still took forever. I have three of these left.

http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/cabinfever41/3715EA58-5101-4FCC-AAD7-DC844EA7218B_zps1krdbf3b.jpg (http://s1008.photobucket.com/user/cabinfever41/media/3715EA58-5101-4FCC-AAD7-DC844EA7218B_zps1krdbf3b.jpg.html)

[historicfirearms]

Maybe put them in the freezer for a few hours then smash em with a hammer. That might break the coating off.

[Squeeze]

Tell my kid, "Do NOT touch these! I definitely DON'T want the plastic to come off!" then just walk away. After a while, If you can find them, the lead will be all nice and clean :grin:

can you just slice a line right across them with a utility knife and peel it away?

[4rdwhln]

sawzall might be fun..

[bumpo628]

looks like a utility knife will do it

[chris in va]

I figured it out. Set my hot plate at low, put the whole weight in a cast iron pan, covered it and let the rubber/plastic soften up. I was then able to pretty much peel it off like an orange.

Good idea about freezing them though, may have to try it just for the heck of it.

[sirsloop]

The ones I've seen have very thick, hard, tight platic. I just burn em.