how do you tell the difference between lead wheel weights and zinc wheel weights.i want to take the weights i already have and melt them into 3 pound blocks for easier storage.i have never casted this or bullets so i dont want to get this mixed up where i cant use it later when i start to cast my own bullets.
wheel weights
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snuffy
Member
They will sometimes have the steel clip riveted to the weight. Others will have a ZN stamped on them. Then there's the trick of dropping them on concrete, they will ring, where the lead ones only go thud. Next is, try to cut them with a side cutter. The zinc WILL cut, but it's very difficult, lead cuts easily.
If all that fails, use a thermometer while melting a batch. Don't let the lead get over 700 degrees. Zinc melts a 787 degrees AND it floats on top of molten lead, so you can scoop them out when scooping the steel clips out,(which also float on melted lead).
If all that fails, use a thermometer while melting a batch. Don't let the lead get over 700 degrees. Zinc melts a 787 degrees AND it floats on top of molten lead, so you can scoop them out when scooping the steel clips out,(which also float on melted lead).
Dean Williams
Member
The cut test that Snuffy wrote about is probably the most fool proof way to know.
A few other ways to identify them;
Lead is usually pretty dull colored, and sometimes painted with a cheap looking silver-gray paint. Zinc has a slightly shiny surface, usually.
All lead wheel weights I've come across have numerals/letters cast as part of the wheel weight, and as a result the numbers you see on them protrude from the surface of the weight, like this:
See how the letters stick out on this lead weight?
All zinc weights I've seen have the numerals and letters stamped/pressed/cast into them below the surface of the rest of the weight, like this:
Note that the figures are pressed into the weight? Also, almost all zinc weights have Zn on them.
Iron weights are done the same as zinc, but you don't have to worry about them. You will not be able to melt them into a liquid with a home furnace.
A few other ways to identify them;
Lead is usually pretty dull colored, and sometimes painted with a cheap looking silver-gray paint. Zinc has a slightly shiny surface, usually.
All lead wheel weights I've come across have numerals/letters cast as part of the wheel weight, and as a result the numbers you see on them protrude from the surface of the weight, like this:
See how the letters stick out on this lead weight?
All zinc weights I've seen have the numerals and letters stamped/pressed/cast into them below the surface of the rest of the weight, like this:
Note that the figures are pressed into the weight? Also, almost all zinc weights have Zn on them.
Iron weights are done the same as zinc, but you don't have to worry about them. You will not be able to melt them into a liquid with a home furnace.
RustyFN
Member
I never had much luck sorting out the zinc weights. I just throw everything in the pot and keep it around 700 degrees so the zinc won't melt and scoop them out with the clips.
Rusty
Rusty
748
member
What does Zinc do to lead alloy to make it "bad"?
NuJudge
Member
Zinc changes Lead to consistency of sand mixed with Syrup
Even a little Zinc (ZN) will cause a massive amount of precipitation of a compound that is quite granular. If this happens to you, reduce your temperature to near the solidification teperature and skim all the granular matter off (it will be most of your pot's content) and throw it away.
Look not just for "ZN" on the wheelweight. Look for European and Japanese car maker logos. There is an extensive thread on this at the Cast Boolits website:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=40765
Even a little Zinc (ZN) will cause a massive amount of precipitation of a compound that is quite granular. If this happens to you, reduce your temperature to near the solidification teperature and skim all the granular matter off (it will be most of your pot's content) and throw it away.
Look not just for "ZN" on the wheelweight. Look for European and Japanese car maker logos. There is an extensive thread on this at the Cast Boolits website:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=40765
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