Making the weights

Here are the bits and pieces I use to make the weights

The 1" x 1" aluminium section should be pretty easy to find from an aluminium extrusion supplier. You may have to buy a 16ft (5 metre) length but it is as cheap as chips.

I usually source my lead from demolition merchants but anything that is lead can be used.  Tire weights are a good option but just make sure that they are lead as newer ones often aren't.

To melt the lead I picked up a cheap single element gas burner and just hook it up to my BBQ bottle.

For a container, I use a cast iron crucible that a friend of mine has but a cheap aluminium saucepan will work just as well - just make sure that it has a pouring spout.

I also use an old spoon to scoop off the slag when the lead has melted.

I make a timber support to hold the tubes vertical. It is important that the bottom of the tube is on a dead flat and smooth surface otherwise the lead may leak out the bottom. The fire brick I have shown is probably not smooth enough.

Health & Safety afficiandos would have a fit about doing this but all I would say is do this in a well ventilated area (preferably outside) have a fire extinguisher handy and make sure you wear heavy gloves and eye protection.

You will need at least 2lb 12 ozs of lead for each 8" tube but I would suggest melting a bit more than that to ensure you can fill the tube in one pour.

safety

Don't forget the full metal jacket (like those used in blast furnaces).

Isn't this over kill?  Lego its square just don't ca it to other plastics during construction.

There are numerous squares/square objects that can be used, carpenter squares, machinist squares  etc.

Like Mike Ditka says on Sunday night football "ca-mon-man".

Over kill?

Not from my view point. I have a couple of really heavy pieces that I use too. One is an old frieght car part that I found laying between the tracks and the other is a 1ft long level that is made out of steel. No idea how old it is. When I want to hold building sides in place or have them dry flat after painting I use them. Also great for hold on a roof while it dries.

These seem pretty cheap to make and the last time I checked lego prices they were more than I am willing to spend.

Jack

While Lego is nice and square....

... It is not that easy to stop it sliding around unless you have a Lego mat to stick the blocks on.  The advantage of these aluminium sections is that they are heavy and won't slide around.  I also use them a lot for holding things down nice and flat while glue dries.  In fact their use is only limited by your imagination.  Hence my previous statement that they are one of the most used pieces of kit in my arsenal.

I can see the weight coming

I can see the weight coming in very handy but I really don't want to go through all that to make them. Ever consider making and selling a few of them?

Bob

This reminds me of when i was

This reminds me of when i was a young lad, casting my own lead weights for sinkers for fishing. Use to love the burning smell.

Me too.

I'd also like to buy some weights. Last lead I melted was as a plumber's assistant in the 1960's and sure don't have the tools available now.

 24 hours later.........I was enjoying your blog and I see you are in New Zealand. Don't think lead is the ideal item to ship across that big pond! Freight would probably eat us alive.

Aluminium Tubing Source

Dear Pierre,

If you don't mind my asking, where did you source the aluminium tube from?

If this is the stuff I think it is, it may be a source for the Qubelok style joiners too...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Square stock

    A metals or scrap dealer might have square steel stock and a power saw to cut some short sections as an alternative to melting and pouring lead? Heavy angle iron cut into short sections might also be useful. .....DaveB

@Rick & Bob

I'd love to make some for you but the freight charges from New Zealand to the US might be OTT 

Square iron isn't very square

The corners are round, and the cheap stuff has concave sides. Aluminum tube is pretty true. Iron angles are usable, and of course iron can't be beat as a weight.

I have a 2" jeweler's block left over from my flute fixing days that serves me well. I might get another.

pqe

@Prof

Hi Prof

The extrusion is a standard Ullrich product.  There are several Ullrich outlets in Sydney.