Different type wheel-weights?

[Slufoot]

I have just started collecting wheel weights and noticed that some of them are silver colored and the clip almost looks like it's tack welded on.
Some of them are darker colored and the clip is molded into the weight.

Can I use both types to cast bullets?

Should I seperate the two types?

Any info you can give me will be greatly appreciated because I'm just getting started into bullet casting. I'm sure I'll have lots more questions for all of you experienced casters.

Thanks!
Slufoot

[Cat Whisperer]

The question is: what is the material of which each WW is made?

If it's iron (not likely) you'll never melt it.

If it's zinc (could be) it will be much harder (test by droping on concrete - does it clink or thud?)  Zinc WILL contaminate !

If you suspect zinc in your collection of WW's, bring the temperature of the melt up slowly - the higher temperature melting of zinc will keep it solid and it can be skimmed off if you're carefull.

[Slufoot]

Thanks Cat Whisperer, I do suspect it to be zinc but am not sure.

Thanks for the tip on how to get the zinc out!

Do these zinc looking WW's have lead in them or should I discard them?

Thanks!
Slufoot

[Nobade]

You absolutely do not want any zinc wheelweights in your melt. Any that have riveted on clips can be considered to be zinc. You can hold them in a vise and try to bend it by hitting with a hammer. Lead will bend some before breaking, zinc will snap in half without bending. When you melt wheelweights, bring the temprature up slowly to the slushy stage and the zinc ones will not be melted. They can be scooped out, do not allow them to melt or the whole batch will be ruined. Trying to cast lead with zinc contamination is a very frustrating process, sort of like trying to cast with melted bubble gum.

[D Crockett]

wheel weights that have rivets in them are made of steel a magnet will pick them up most of the ww I find that are zinc are marked zn and are mostly stick on ww and there are stick on that are steel to I use a strong magnet when I separate my ww it helps in finding the steel ww it also helps in getting the clips out of the melt to and like was said bring the temp up slowly and the zinc ones and steel ones will float on the top of your melt D Crockett

[Slufoot]

Thanks guys, I'm learning some good stuff here!
I didn't know there were any steel WW's.
Thanks for the tip some WW's being marked ZN.
Keep'em coming, I need to get educated!

Thanks!
Slufoot

[Tom W.]

Take a pair of side cutters to the weights that you have suspicions about. The good w/w will cut fairly easily. The zinc will be very hard to cut. You can guess about the steel ones......

[Slufoot]

Thanks Tom, that's a great idea!

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot