Buying scrap lead question ...

[LongWalker]

Back in the day it was lead water pipes but that isn't a thing anymore , at least around here ....perhaps car batteries ? but I've never stripped a battery for its lead plates before , and it sounds like a nasty if not dangerous job .....

There isn't actually a lot of lead in modern batteries (compared to older batteries), but that isn't the problem. Aside from having to deal with the disposal of sulphuric acid and contaminants, melting down battery plates from modern batteries results in the release of arsine and stibine gas. Both are highly toxic, and fatalities have occurred when folks try to melt down the batteries to salvage the lead. Better way to deal with batteries is usually to shop around and find out who is paying the most for dead batteries, sell them, and use the money to buy lead.

 

[stikshooter]

Yeah , I used to collect wheel weights when I shot a LOT of .38 special ... I doubt I'll take them up on the wheel weights ....just want pure lead for the .62 round ball ....thx

Get the W/W as folks will trade with pure , W/W are gettin scarce TOO!

 

[Eutycus]

My neighbor was about to throw away an old dry rotted casting net. I asked about the lead weights on the bottom of that throw net. I'm assuming they're real lead though wheel weight lead would work great as fishing weights.

 

[stikshooter]

My neighbor was about to throw away an old dry rotted casting net. I asked about the lead weights on the bottom of that throw net. I'm assuming they're real lead though wheel weight lead would work great as fishing weights.

Do not assume ,most likely wrong most of mine varied immensely pure to hard and in between . Test and verify 1st with a hardness tester cheap/expensive doesn't matter but gives you a benchmark on hardness/Ed

 

[oldwood]

Roofers occasionally remove sheet lead from old roofs. That lead is very soft , and desirable. Old plumbing lead is great , too.

 

[TDM]

For me personally, I prefer to order the 1 lbs ingots from RotoMetals. Easy to handle and drop in the pot.

 

[Robertakamagoo]

They got rid of a EB welder at work scored 100 pounds of sheet lead got it for free.