suppliers for body lead?

[Renee n Jerry Conrad]

We've been really happy with the body leading Dutch taught at MM05 and our customers are even happier! Dutch was good enough to give me a handfull but Dad wants to buy ahead in bulk. He is underwhelmed with the prices he has found in his catalogs...

I liked the round sticks, easy to handle, nice quantity. Dad says he'll melt and pour if it's significantly cheaper to buy big chunks.

Any suggestions?


http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_question.gif

Renée

[Jeff Parker]

Renee'
Don't know of any sources other than Eastwood, but...

Read an article about leading in a hot rod magazine, where the guy SAVED all his shavings. Swept them into a pan with all the dust, dirt, dog hair, etc. Then burned off all the garbage with his torch, while melting the lead. He basically used a piece of 1/4" pipe, sawed in half, with the ends plugged as his forms for "recycled" lead sticks. I would surmise any impurities would either burn off or go right to the top, where they can be skimmed off.

Gene Winfield does alot of leading as well. Great guy to talk to. He has a website, and MAY be able to provide a source for you.

661-824-4728

Email: GW@Winfieldcutoms.com

[Henrob Jim]

Gulley performance
423-967-5251
jgulley59@earthlink.net

Great guy and a supporter of Metalmeet since the beginning,

Lead and about ANY metalwoking tool you need and some you just want!

Please support those that support Metalmeet by buying stuff from them.

[Avalonjr]

Just a thought... If you are around any boat yards that store sailboats, there are often derlict boats that have been abandoned in the boat yard. Around here, the boat yard will sell the boat to you for a dollar just to get it out of the yard. Periodically they'll chop the boats up for the same reason.

The keel in older sailboats is usually lead or lead filled. If you're in doubt, ask if you can drill a hole into the keel. You'll know immediately.

One boat should last a lifetime.

Another idea would be to call some insurance agencies that insure sailboats. With the hurricanes, they will have an inventory of damaged boats for sale. Not all of them will be in the South either. They'll charge a little more for the boat, but if it is worth the trip for you, it is still a cheap source of lead.

[edwardd_]

Why not use discarded wheel weights?

[Wray Schelin]

The lead alloy that spreads best is 70/30.

70% lead 30% tin. You can melt and blend your own if you find an inexpensive souce. Small angle iron works good for pouring your own bars.

All shavings can be reused by remelting them.

[Jeff Parker]

Wray-
Not to thread rob, but I got the video the day before yesterday. Watched it 2x and loved it. Waiting for the next one to come out, so get moving Mister!! LOL Seriously, I learned alot. Thank you !


Back to our regularly scheduled thread.....

[rookie]

Hi Renee, I've always used Johnson Manufacturing in Princeton, Iowa. Ask for 70/30 Metre bar. They also have lead-free body solder, but I haven't ever used it, can't verify how well it works. Also have tinning butter.

Phil.

Johnson Mfg Co.
114 Lost Grove Rd.
Princeton, IA. 52768
563-289-5123

[Wray Schelin]

Wray-
Not to thread rob, but I got the video the day before yesterday. Watched it 2x and loved it. Waiting for the next one to come out, so get moving Mister!! LOL Seriously, I learned alot. Thank you !


Back to our regularly scheduled thread.....

Hi Jeff,

Thanks, glad you liked my DVD and learned from it.:grin:

[tdoty]

Minor correction here, but solder is (currently) classed with Tin content first, followed by Lead. That would make body solder 30/70. For some reason I'm thinking it used to be done the other way.

Tim D.

[Ernie Ferrucci]

MacMaster Carr has it: http://www.mcmaster.com/, search solder.
They list tin 1st-30%, and lead 2nd-70% and this is the best for auto body lead work. Usually used in the 1lb bar form.
I'm sure there are other places that sell it but I remembered seeing it in their catalog just a few days ago.