Sources of lead

About ten years ago, when I was buying some Aristocraft bits and bobs from a retailer who is no longer with us, he said that he had boxes of Aristocraft weights for use in their diesels.
Although I did not have need of them at that moment, I thought that they might be useful for projects etc.
So I bought them for a song as he just wanted to get rid of them.
So... I still have two or three boxes of them. Not sure if they are lead or zinc..they do mark easily so probably lead.
I have used a couple of them (they were originally for the Dash 9, SD45, E8 and, I think, GP40).

If anyone would like one and they are willing to pay the postage they are going for cost.. about £5 each
 
About ten years ago, when I was buying some Aristocraft bits and bobs from a retailer who is no longer with us, he said that he had boxes of Aristocraft weights for use in their diesels.
Although I did not have need of them at that moment, I thought that they might be useful for projects etc.
So I bought them for a song as he just wanted to get rid of them.
So... I still have one or two boxes of them. Not sure if they are lead or zinc..they do mark easily so probably lead.
I have used a couple of them (they were originally for the Dash 9, SD45, E8 and, I think, GP40), but the rest are available.

If anyone would like one and they are willing to pay the postage they are going for cost.. about £5 each
 
dunnyrail said:
Then we get saving overgrown trees that are a danger to the community because the tree officer has slapped a TPO on them. Carbon neutral, doubt if I will be around to see it but I can predict that Politicians and Councillors of all colours will start running round like headless chickens a year or so before their self created deadline.
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Ah, but the council CAN over rule their TPO if a tree is in the way of a road scheme.

This is what they wanted to do to my neighbours', but for an outcry from the local residents association.

The tree survives, although it has been heavily pollarded....
 
Madman said:
Even asbestos is harmless until it is disturbed.
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The problem with asbestos is that it isnt easily recognised, it comes in many shapes and forms, and once painted can look like plaster. Quite often its only found when someone has drilled into it or tried to remove it.
 
Gizzy said:
Ah, but the council CAN over rule their TPO if a tree is in the way of a road scheme.

This is what they wanted to do to my neighbours', but for an outcry from the local residents association.

The tree survives, although it has been heavily pollarded....
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That is the point they can override whatever they decide, but sadly residents have to just accept what they say and do.
 
Paul M said:
The problem with asbestos is that it isnt easily recognised, it comes in many shapes and forms, and once painted can look like plaster. Quite often its only found when someone has drilled into it or tried to remove it.
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Absolutely. And may I add that if a layman is doing the drilling or demolition they most often do not know what the material is they are tearing apart. On the contrary, folks in the construction business would very quickly question the material and ask for it to be tested.
 
My half pennies worth.
I use old pewter-ware sourced from car boots etc for a few pence. It melts easily and casts well. Plus it does not suffer from that powdery white oxidisation when used in damp conditions. Weighs almost as much as pure lead. Works well for loco and fishing weights alike.
Paul.
 
Paul2727 said:
My half pennies worth.
I use old pewter-ware sourced from car boots etc for a few pence. It melts easily and casts well. Plus it does not suffer from that powdery white oxidisation when used in damp conditions. Weighs almost as much as pure lead. Works well for loco and fishing weights alike.
Paul.
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I've got about a couple of dozen tankards in the loft, I wonder if they will do?
 
I spray my lead weights with an anticorrosion compound (usually lanolin based, non toxic) to keep the white stuff off.

Luckily in most of our locos, we have plenty of space, so the weight per volume "loss" of using pewter or other lighter metals is not a big deal.

But in small locos, lead makes a difference, like I mentioned, when Aristo switched to a zinc based alloy, the weight per volume went down by half.

Here are two "rock cod sinkers" of 2 pounds each on a Lionel Atlantic (if you go to a store with fishing supplies in the USA, "rock cod sinkers" have this nice compact shape, available in several weights up to 5 pounds)

atlantic_weights.JPG
 
Paul M,
Ex tankards:
The older the pewter the higher the lead content. Modern pewter for food or drink use contains no lead and tarnishes much slower.
These dumb buffers weigh in at 35g each
Regards,
Paul
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maxi-model said:
I just thought I'd pop this little tip in here - Yesterday I bumped into the local roofing contractor in the supermarket. During a little chat I mentioned I'd just bought some lead flashing for ballasting locos, coaches and an upcoming Clyde Puffer build. He said I should have come to him as he has loads of scrap lead from roofing jobs that he stockpiles till he has enough to make it worth his while to go down to the scrap metal dealer to cash in,

Tip - If you need lead for ballasting stock go check out you local roofing contractor. Mine informed me the current scrap lead price is £1 per kilo. Max

P.S. Do not attempt to satisfy your lead requirements with an illicit trip to the local church's roof. God will send vengeance from the heavens for such acts and rain out your operating sessions for all eternity. He moves in mysterious ways. You have been warned.
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Being busily engaged in converting my LGB locos to Battery Powered R/C, I have a growing stack of LGB finest Lead Ballast Blocks. I loco alone yeilded over 1.1/4 . I have also acquired some ex-roofing lead from my local builders.
Old Fella
 
And of course the lead body filler used at the factory in the 50's automobiles. I watched the artists with the wooden paddles and the pots of lead hide miserable seams in car bodies. Lets go melt down some classic cars for the lead.
---Hutch
 
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