gdowney Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 I can get 5lbs of lead for $15.00 or $3.00 a lb from a local hardware store. I am just starting out and was leaning towards this to keep some cost down till I see how I do. Is $3.00 a pound reasonable or is this a little pricey? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkvnmtr Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 I think the world market price is just a little over a dollar a pound. That is certified pure lead. I would not consider paying more than :$.50 a pound at a scrap yard. If you do not like the idea of prowling scrap yards try Ebay. Should get it shipped for around $1.25 a pound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdowney Posted March 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 Thanks. I didn't look there because I figured the shipping would be sky high. Another question that I have is about ventilation. I was going to use a couple of small bathroom fans to vent the fumes outside. The fans will be about 4' above the table. Will two small bathroom fans be suffcient enough or do I need to move more air? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogajiga Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 $3 per lb. hardware store lead is prob 99.9% pure which is unnecessary for jig head or sinker casting applications. WV should have no shortage of scrap sources of soft(nearly pure) lead if that is your preference - old plumbers lead, roof flashing, telephone cable sheathing are some common types. But, scrap lead is usually dirty meaning crusted with oxides, paint, grease, or just plain dirt which is best cleaned in a separate process before actually used for casting in your melter. If you've got kids or close neighbors, you might be better off sourcing clean soft lead in convenient 1 lb. ingot form - usually available from eBay vendors as mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syd Fishious Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 (edited) Thanks. I didn't look there because I figured the shipping would be sky high. Another question that I have is about ventilation. I was going to use a couple of small bathroom fans to vent the fumes outside. The fans will be about 4' above the table. Will two small bathroom fans be suffcient enough or do I need to move more air? Do not smelt your lead indoors. In your garage, with the door wide open with a fan providing a cross-breeze to the outside is the safest setup. I work with lead sleeving closures in confined spaces and the risk is extremely high without proper ventilation, we use blowers in the 10,000CFM range. Edited March 12, 2011 by Syd Fishious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdowney Posted March 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 My neighbor has a son whose allergies are so bad that I can not use any type of chemicals around the outside of the house at all. I don't know what kind of problems may be caused with melting down lead for use. The fans that I have only move about 100cfm at best so then I need to get a bigger fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 My local scrap yards were giving $.25 a pound last week. I put an add in Craigslist under several titles for "lead wanted". I got 105#'s of scrap lead for $.30 a pound, and a retired Lady tossed in a used one time 3/4 oz. production bank sinker mold just to get rid of it. That was a good score there. I have scored several times with craigslist adds. I have a good supply now also from home re modelers and plumbers buying the lead pipe they rip out for .05 cents a pound over scrap yard, and I pick up. IMO, spending all that money for pure lead is a waste of money, but opinions vary. I know someone that sells lead on E-bay, he gets it from a power plant he retired from. Guess they used a lot of lead shielding on stuff. Something to think about if you live near a power plant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyp Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 My local scrap yards were giving $.25 a pound last week. I put an add in Craigslist under several titles for "lead wanted". I got 105#'s of scrap lead for $.30 a pound, and a retired Lady tossed in a used one time 3/4 oz. production bank sinker mold just to get rid of it. That was a good score there. I have scored several times with craigslist adds. I have a good supply now also from home re modelers and plumbers buying the lead pipe they rip out for .05 cents a pound over scrap yard, and I pick up. IMO, spending all that money for pure lead is a waste of money, but opinions vary. I know someone that sells lead on E-bay, he gets it from a power plant he retired from. Guess they used a lot of lead shielding on stuff. Something to think about if you live near a power plant. LEAD prices are getting outrageous,,, All metals on the market have gone up in the past 3 weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdowney Posted March 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 High prices for lead might be due to high electrical cost. Here in parts of WV the power company was allowed a 57% increase. Some home owners are now paying up to $700.00 a month on thier power bill where at this time last year they were paying $200.00 to $300.00. Increase is due to EPA changes for cleaner air. But at least we get to breath cleaner air! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
