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Hi Dave, been there done that, last year I think it was I tried to make some "V" weights and tried the sand and foil in a box but it failed hopelessly, there is proper casting sand thats able to be compacted and not hold moisture (much) and sand casting is possible but not worth it. I eventually made a mould out off 3mm flat bar which I welded (3 pieces) side by side to make a "V" shape then capped the ends of the mould with the same stuff. Noting the end caps are not at 90 degrees to the botom of the mould I layed them slightly out so the "V" weight would release with the thump of a hammer. A better way would be to get some 3mm sheet and get it folded at a local sheet metal shop into the desired shape and then weld the end caps on, I had alot of grinding to do when I welded 3 strips parralell so folding the "V" is alot easier. There should not be any cavities inside the mould as the lead will not release easily. I made a pot for melting the lead out off a piece of RHS 50mm x 100mm x 300mm tall and welded a cap on 1 end and a long handle on the side. Then put it between 2 bricks and the OXY underneath it (cutting tip) and dropped in the ammount of weight I wanted, waited till it melted and poured it into the mould. Before I did this I cut some S/S 316 strip about 25mm wide x 500mm long and bent it so it layed in the mould and when the lead was poured it would trapp the S/S strip, this was done so the lead could be moved up and down between the tanks so dive trim could be adjusted just right. I used the band bolts to hold the strip in place. It might be a good idea to pre drill the strip with holes every 15mm or so. When the right position was found I cut off the extra strip, "Bingo" a "V" that can't be seen unless you peer between the tanks and trimmed just right. By removing the back plate the weight is easily changed. Warning, be carefull heating and melting lead and pouring it, always wears eye protection, gloves and full covering as moulten metal is very unforgiving, there must be "NO" moisture in the mould or melting pot. Do it all outside and away from valuables and don't breath the fumes of the melting lead or any of it for that matter. Good luck. Bruce Stewart dave.robbins@ba*.co*.uk* wrote: > I would like to make a V weight for my double 10s set. > Is there a home-brew method for doing this ? > I have old moulded weights that I can melt down - but at a loss > how to > make a mould - sand ? > > Sorry if this is trivial - but I don't want to end up with a lead > dog-turd > regards, > Dave. > > * mailto:dave.robbins@ba*.co*.uk* > > Dave. > > -- > Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. > Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'. -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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