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To answer a couple of questions:
yes, the cuts in the pipe are lengthwise, leaving a sort of U-shaped
channel.
And, I forgot to mention, I had the back door, kitchen windows, and
garage door open (all are in line with each other), and I would have
added a fan if there hadn't already been a pretty good breeze blowing
through. Also, I wore gloves, safety glasses, heavy clothes, etc. Fire
extinguisher standing by, too.
But, molten lead was surprisingly docile stuff; no obvious outgassing,
and no spattering (since this method avoids ever having to pour it, it
may actually be safer).
Cam
William Allen wrote:
>
> Never melt lead in an unventilated area especially in ones house.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cam Banks <cam@ca*.co*>
> To: techdiver@aquanaut.com <techdiver@aquanaut.com>
> Cc: techdiver@aquanaut.com <techdiver@aquanaut.com>
> Date: Tuesday, June 01, 1999 10:29 AM
> Subject: Re: V weights - various methods
>
> >This weekend I made a v-weight with a different method. Take 14" of 2"
> >metal pipe (thicker pipe is probably better), threaded on both ends.
> >Using a jig saw, sawzall, or band saw, cut off the top third of the pipe
> >(make 2 cuts if using a jigsaw or sawzall). Thread the caps on. Now
> >the mould is done.
> >
> >Put on a gas stove across two burners, and heat on high. Put in some
> >chunks of lead. Help them melt from the top with a propane torch. I
> >used 10 lb's of lead. Let cool.
> >
> >Unthread the caps (use vice and pipe wrench if needed), bang mould on
> >ground to loosen lead. Twist lead to remove. Beat down any moulded
> >"pipe threads" on the lead ingot with hammer. Drill two holes 5/16"
> >diameter, 11" apart. Voila, a 9.8 lb v-weight. I couldn't believe this
> >worked first time with no trouble.
> >
> >This results in a half-round, or half-moon sectioned weight of course,
> >but it fit neatly betweeen my Al 80's.
> >
> >Cam
> >
> >Greg Kuiper wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi James,
> >> I have made V weights for my buddies and myself. The easiest and
> >> cheapest way I know how to do it is the following. Take your doubles
> >> and put seran wrap between the tanks. Then take modeling clay and form
> >> it between the two tanks over the seran wrap in a triangular shape.
> >> Then take your backplate and press down on the clay. Trim the clay as
> >> necessary. The biggest v-weight I have made to date is a fifteen
> >> pounder for my hp120's doubles. Take a shoe box and put the modeling
> >> clay in the bottom of the box. Pour plaster of paris in the shoe box.
> >> After twenty minutes or so when the plaster is dry pull out the clay.
> >> Hold on to a lead weight with vice grips and heat it with a propane
> >> torch (buy it cheap at a hardware store) and let the melting lead drip
> >> into the mold. This takes longer then a cajun cooker and a frying pan
> >> but is much cheaper if you are only making one for yourself. Jim Cobb's
> >> web site describes how to make one with a cajun cooker, search the
> >> archives. In my area a cajun cooker costs about $65.00 U.S. After the
> >> V-weight cools break it out of the mold and check it for size. If it is
> >> to big you can use a belt sander with rough grit or a Makita grinder to
> >> grind it down. If the weight is to heavy just slice off a little bit
> >> with a hacksaw, band saw or jigsaw until you get it right. By the way
> >> wear a good breathing mask as lead fumes are very bad for your health.
> >> Cost is approx.:
> >> Propane torch $10.00
> >> Weight $1.00 per lb.
> >> No weight belt, priceless.
> >> I hope this helps yourself and anybody interested.
> >> Dive safe,
> >> Greg Kuiper
> >> --
> >> Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
> >> Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
> >
> >--
> >= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
> >Cameron Banks 408-821-6314 cell
> >Applied Materials Account Manager 888-731-6502 pager
> > 408-934-0500 office
> > 408-934-0707 fax
> >Aera Corporation
> >422 S. Hillview Drive e-mail: cam@ae*.co*
> >Milpitas, CA 95035 http://www.massflow.com
> >= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
> >--
> >Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
> >Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
--
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Cameron Banks 408-821-6314 cell
Applied Materials Account Manager 888-731-6502 pager
408-934-0500 office
408-934-0707 fax
Aera Corporation
422 S. Hillview Drive e-mail: cam@ae*.co*
Milpitas, CA 95035 http://www.massflow.com
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
--
Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
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