Author Topic: composition of wheel weights (Read 1311 times)

Quiet Burp · « **on:** May 23, 2003, 04:29:19 PM »

Could anyone tell me what sort of alloy is in wheel weights? Are they made to a uniform standard, or does it vary between manufactures?

Ka6otm · « **Reply #1 on:** May 24, 2003, 07:04:25 AM »

Once upon a time, it was more or less standardized at:

95.5% lead, 0.5% Tin and 4% Antimony with a BHN of 9

However, that was probably 20 or more years ago and today, wheelweights look different...at east to me so I have a feeling that they're going to be all over the place with respect to composition.

Tin content and antimony content are probably going to be down as they're the most expensive parts of the composition.

I alloy them a bit with Linotype and a bit of tin.

Still work well for casting bullets, though.

Ka6otm

HBL · « **Reply #2 on:** May 24, 2003, 02:03:04 PM »

ww also contain trace amounts of Arsenic which aids in the hardening when heat treating.

Quiet Burp · « **Reply #3 on:** May 24, 2003, 03:22:42 PM »

Don't like the sound of ARSENIC, that stuff makes you go DEAD, don't it. I do wear a respirator when I'm casting... would that be enough protection? I also cast out in the open air.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #4 on:** May 24, 2003, 05:43:08 PM »

Lead and antimony make you go dead, too. I would not worry about the the trace amounts of arsenic in WW and I would not bother with a mask unless I were alloying in antimony powder.

Basic safety precautions are simple.

Don't eat, drink, or smoke while casting.
Wash your hands after casting.
Cast only in a well ventilated place.
Don't overheat your alloy. ( I seem to recall that 750 degrees should be the upper limit.)
Segregate your casting tools.

Cases of lead poisoning among hobby casters are extemely rare. You almost have to work ot it. Plain truth is that very few of us spend more than a few hours a week at casting and heavy metals in solid form are not readily absorbed into the body, The problems come from vapors, fine dust, or dissolved lead.

Further safety tips are invited

Cactus Cris · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2003, 03:29:30 AM »

There is a bigger danger of splatter or H2O in the WW's than the lead itself. There could be a pocket or pinhole of moisture in a WW that will explode when put in the pot. Have seen this happen on more than 1 ocasion. They are not too particular when casting them. I always stand back as far as possible when adding new WW's to the pot. That molten lead burns when it hits ya. :shock: :cry: :roll:

Quiet Burp · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2003, 12:02:44 AM »

Thanks for the tip about the voids in the wheelweights I'll be ready for the little blighters now!

HBL · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2003, 01:40:13 PM »

I can guarantee you that you breath worse air and pollution just driving down the highway and around town than you ever will in the few hours you will spend casting bullets once or twice a week.

Just cast in a well ventilated area and you won't have any problems.

Have fun,

HBL