Where are you guys getting lead?

[gmintimidator]

I've been kicking around getting into making my own jigs, but the melting and other safety issues are making me leary.  Is there anywhere to still get lead without reclaiming it from something else?  The thought of a mishap to save a bit of cash really doesn't sit well with me.  The other option is to buy bare jigs that I can paint and finish myself.

If anyone has some thoughts or suggestions on where to get lead local would be appreciated.  I should also mention I am in Canada, so not sure if I can ship it over the border or not?

Thanks

[pjmcla]

Midway USA or a plumbing supply in your area will handle 100% lead.  Other metal suppliers on the internet are reliable sources.  Freight becomes an issue from some.  I am like you in that I want to know for certain my lead contains nothing unwanted.   

[BareKnuckleJigs]

There's nothing wrong with reclaimed lead, just watch the source.  Wheel-weights are hard lead that is lighter and doesn't flow as well, but can be mixed with softer/purer/pure lead to improve it's characteristics.

I get a bit of lead from bullets from the local outdoor pistol range, and the lead in bullets is most-usually soft and pure.  Clean and let dry, melted, remove jackets, flux...good lead.  MidwayUSA used to (not sure of current status or stock) sell Lead Shot, some even included free freight, but You're in Canada so that's an possibly issue there.

Local Pistol Range or Scrap Yards will possibly be Your best bet.

[andrewlamberson]

I got mine from "an old plumber" (that seems to be the key!) and tell them you are looking for "soft lead". The term "panning lead" seemed to help. According to my "old plumber" it was used under show stalls.

Apparently "old plumbers" used to keep lead and reuse it.....which they can't do anymore so you are hoping they have an old stock of it down in the basement of their shop!

Also, if you have a scrap yard in your area try them. I got some lead that was used in windows from them that was pretty good.

[CrabbyBass]

Like everyone else has said, plumbing supply.  They are pretty cheap there.  I believe we got 15 lbs for $20.  We just got another 10 lbs from a buddy who said they were using it as a door stop.  I was at Bass Pro yesterday and they were selling a package of 5 lbs of lead for $25!!!!      That is insane!

[Muskygary]

Try Rotometals.com or e-bay.  When on e-bay type in "soft lead ingots" for the search.

[ctom]

I've been tied to the construction industry here in Rochester for most of my life. And with Mayo Clinic here and all the remodeling they do, the lead used in X-Ray rooms often finds its way to my door. Pure as pure can be, 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick and sheets 4 feet wide. When its being applied to wall studding it comes on huge rolls and is cut to length. Its general glued on. The glue will slip off with a putty knife to clean the scrapped lead.

The Clinic also uses lead for counter-weighting some of their machines on wheels. When the machines get up-dated the lead ballast goes to scrap and these weights are generally in the 40 to 100 pound range, and again pure lead. Every now and again I get a counter weight left in front of the garage door if I'm not around. Rolls of the lead used in walls are common finds there. I'm pretty stingy with lead nowadays as its getting sort of scarce. They have some funky laws here now that prevent many recycling centers from selling scrap lead other than to metal dealers.

[Jerry V]

It is still one of the most recycled metals in America, but it's usually best to find a local source as shipping heavy metals can get expensive sometimes.  Check your local listings for metal scrap or salvage yards and inquire for pure lead ingots.  If they don't offer it chances are pretty good that they will hook you up with someone who does.  And as added by Tom and Andy the the remodeling industry is FULL of it.  Roofers and Plumbers are good people to make friends with as they run into the stuff on the job and have to dispose of it anyway.  Some of that old lead roof flashing is as good as it gets.

If all else fails Gary has you covered as Roto Metals and Ebay are good sources as well but perhaps not quite as economical with some shipping added.  A local source is generally cheaper and on occasion free or close to free.  I will urge you to stay away from wheel weights.  Unless you cook and flux that stuff extensively or are ladle pouring 6 and 8 oz. + sinkers or something the junk metals added will only cause you fits, especially in a bottom pour furnace.

It's out there... just gotta look around a little bit.  Some geographic areas are more blessed than others with supply - price - and availability, but it can be found.

Jerry

[Denny Welch]

Out here in CA we have a bunch of recycling centers.  I bought about a hundred pounds a couple months ago and paid about $1.10 per pound.  I remember when it was $.35 a pound and that wasn't that long ago.  I also have a good friend who restores military aircraft which, apparently, have a fair amount of lead in them.  Sometimes it's not what you know, but who you know.

It's a good thing to be safety conscious, GM.  There's a lot of good safety tips on this forum and on Do-it's website.  I'd suggest using baby steps until you know what you're doing.  DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS!

[gmintimidator]

Wow,

Thanks to all who posted information.  I am still looking into the process and doing my research on this.  Thanks for giving me a couple of good leads to start chasing the stuff down.  As far as being able to tell if the lead I have is of decent quality and no impurities?  What am I looking for if I can't locally source pure ingots? 

I found an auction on Ebay http://www.ebay.ca/itm/10-lbs-Pure-Soft-Lead-Ingots-for-Sinkers-Bullets-Jigs-Molding-/121162175698?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c35d414d2 selling 10lbs for $14 plus $20 shipping.  What's the yield rate for the metal?  I am assuming a pound will produce a pound of lures?  Basically being able to obtain 10 or 20lbs would produce more than enough jigs for my personal use for several years.

Thanks you again.

[Denny Welch]

Run you fingernail down the lead (and then wash your hands).  If it makes an indentation in the lead it's a pretty good indication that it's soft lead.  Stay away from wheel weights.

[andrewlamberson]

Next time I need lead I'm just going to hit the easy button and buy from Rotometals.com

If you buy nine, 5lb bars at 11.95 each you qualify for free shipping.

That's 45lbs for $107.55...that will last a long time for most of us!

And that works out to 2.39/lb which isn't bad either. That's better than the Ebay price of $34/10= $3.40 a lb!

The problem with the lead I got from my plumber is that I had to cut up all the sheets, melt it and skim off the impurities (from the bath water) which took most of a day. I ended up paying about $1/lb....but it was a lot of fuss and my time is worth something!

[Justin9j]

If you have any local dirt race tracks. Those guys use it for added weight. And have it molded in blocks already. And they have it by the hundred pounds.   

[Dave]

Here is a little advice, if you can get with your local law enforcement agency, like the PD, SO, Correctional centers, ask them if you can collect lead from their gun ranges on a day they're closed. The slug lead is super soft with no additives. We shoot thousands of rounds a year through our shotguns, so occasionally I go out and pick it up. It's a win win, you get the lead they get a cleaner environment that is lead free! Hope this helps.

[superharmonix]

I get mine for .75/lb from a local scrap yard. I called a few years ago and told them i only wanted soft, clean lead, so they pile it up until they have about 50lbs worth, and call me to come get it. 
You can also call around to body shops.  Back in the day, believe it or not,  lead was used a lot in body work. A lot of shops with old school artisans will either have a bunch they just want to get rid of, or they can tell you who to call.
All great tips on this thread.