2026-07-25

Last modified: 2026-07-25 13:58:01

Lead weights

I tried to cast the key weights in the mould, but the lead kept freezing up in the sprue (?) and wouldn't even start to fill the cavity. I gave up on that after 3 or 4 attempts and then tried pouring the lead into the main cavity as if it was an open-topped mould, and this worked great!

I think I made 34 in total, so can discard a couple if they are too thin or too thick.

Here's one installed:

That has no glue. I was planning to use the Stormsure flexible adhesive to hold the weights in, but I'm not not sure I can get this one out. Either it eventually comes out and then gets glued in, or it stays and is fine as-is. For the others I will put a drop of glue in the plastic part before sliding the lead weight in.

Overall the casting was easier than expected once I had got into the rhythm of it.

I stood a blowtorch on the bench and left it burning continuously. I poured lead shot into the ladle and heated it until it was nicely molten. I swirled it around gently to get a sense for how viscous it was. When I was satisfied that it was all molten and nice and runny, I poured it into the mould. I could see the top surface freeze over after a couple of seconds, and then I picked the mould up with a welding glove and then whacked the side of the mould with the handle of a screwdriver until the lead weight fell out. Then put a little bit more lead shot in the ladle, hold it in the flame of the blowtorch until nicely molten, and repeat until done.

I was surprised by how hot the mould got, it was starting to burn my fingers through the welding gloves by the end.