Everyone "scores" but me............

[3006guns]

Or so it seems. Since the demise of easily obtainable wheel weights I find myself living in a "lead deprived" area. Oh, I have probably 300 pounds of various alloys squirreled away but the days of jaunting down to the local tire shop with an empty bucket are long gone.

I had just returned from a trip to Reno, Nevada and my wife informed me that I had a phone call while I was gone. Seems that during my dental exam three months ago, I had casually mentioned (half joking really) to my dental hygenist that she should save all the x-ray lead foils for me to use in my "hobby". She had called and asked if I was still interested and if so, BRING A BUCKET.

I grabbed an empty five gallon bucket and zoomed down to the dentist's office. She came out lugging a two gallon bio hazard bucket and dumped the whole thing in mine. There must be at least 25-30 lbs. of nice, soft lead in there. I thanked her profusely and explained that I'd like to continue this arrangement and promised to smelt them right away to eliminate any bio hazard. She cheerfully agreed, so it looks like I found a source of material that I can either use or trade for what I need. Huzzah!

[Bo1]

Nice....
I havn't thought of that....

[dmclark523]

Nice. I know what i'm doing next time I get a dental checkup...

[a.squibload]

My Dentist keeps them in a 5-gal bucket, I keep
a clean bucket in the garage to trade when I go
for a checkup. Saliva normally doesn't contact
the foils.
Used to spray some alcohol in containers of foils
just in case but probably not worth the effort.
Does put their minds at ease to mention the
melt temperature,
at least shows awareness of germs!

[TheGrimReaper]

That is awsome...good thinking!

[Alan in Vermont]

Everyone "scores" but me............

I had the same problem back in High School.

[DukeInFlorida]

My dentist has gone FULL DIGITAL..............

No films, just digital images.

Therefore, no foil................

[LUCKYDAWG13]

My dentist has gone FULL DIGITAL..............

No films, just digital images.

Therefore, no foil................

same here said he would look around but nope

[gareth96]

About how much does each 'foil' weigh? 30grains?

[atom73]

Whew, I saw the tag line and thought it was gonna be another post whinning about how someone cant get any lead and woe is me. Glad to hear that you are scoring. It will get harder and harder to find it, I'm suprised that your dentist is still using analog films. I'm an endodontist and maybe 2 out of maybe 50 referring dentists use film still. Also, you live in CA, my best advice is to move but I know that's easier said than done. I get 5 gal buckets of WW here regularly for next to nothing but I live in a state that hasnt gone the way of the liberal.

[ACrowe25]

Look's like I have a reason to visit the dentist more than twice a year lol.

[Jal5]

I have been collecting them from my DDS for the past several years, but they are very light foils. Maybe two years worth just fill up a plastic coffee can! Joe

[quack1]

I got the foils from my dentist for years, then about a year ago he went digital. The foils take up a lot of space, even when mashed down. Always surprised me how a big container of foils would melt down into only a few ingots. Good lead though, almost pure.

[a.squibload]

My dentist's office is a busy one, the least I've gotten was about 6lbs.
Have quite a few boxes now. I mash 'em down pretty solid.
Will cast 'em one of these days. Normally costs to get rid of,
biohazard, digital is "clean & green". I perform a valuable service
by taking them home!