Lead

The price of lead, along with everything else it seems has gone up drastically lately. I work for a commercial roofing company and we use soft lead all the time on the roof. About 6 months ago we were paying $45 for a 30# sheet of lead we now are paying $65-$75 for the same sheet. However if you know anyone who works for a commercial roofing company you can probably get some lead from them. Anytime a new roof drain is put in sheet lead is used and there is usually a circular piece of lead left over that weighs a pound or two. Also if a roof is being replaced you can get the lead that is removed from around penetrations on the roof. This is all soft lead and has worked very well for me for the past 5-6 years, and it's free.

you might try calling local scrap yards, if they have some they would sell it to you. a local told me that soft lead is going for $.60-$.70 per pound.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crappiepappy

a sleeve of lead, off the plumbing of an old house.

And ... for those whom are melting, or thinking of melting : BE AWARE - - you should have a mask on, be in a well ventilated area, wear gloves and protective clothing, and use every precaution to protect yourself and those around you. Molten lead can produce severe burns, if it comes in contact with skin. Lead vapors are poisonous !! Be safe when working with lead.

... cp :cool:

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I would like to mention to that you need to keep anything that doesnt pertain to melting the lead and making jigs away from your work area. If you accidently bump oh say a bottle of water that you have neen drinking into the work area Watch out. Super hot lead really doesnt like cold water. This sounds like a no brainer but people have gotten hurt by this.