Buying weight

I need to add weight to my car for December's VDCA event.

The local diving shop never called me back. I wanted to work with something soft. Anyone have a good source or suggestion for the weight I need - about 100#.

Try another diving shop, there's lots of those around here that would love to sell stuff. What is our target weight? I had mine weighed at the last CVAR race and I came in at 1875-1880 lbs.

If you can find a hospital that is scrapping x-ray equipment, they have hundreds of pounds of lead counterweights in the table.

I don't know how much you're willing to spend, but ammo reloading houses carry lead shot such as this one: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=147010

Reclaimed (used) lead shot is cheaper than new... but I believe I'd rather bolt down an ingot. This company sells both, and more:
http://www.rotometals.com/Lead-Products-s/20.htm

What about going to a tire shop and getting a bucket of the take offs from balancing tires? Respectfully submitted Norman L Jacob

Fred,
Don't worry too much about the weight. They don't usually have scales at Savannah. And as long as you aren't runnimg 'glass panels , with a frame that resembles swiss cheese, they most likely won't even ask.

But if you want some, I've got some 25 lbs or so of lead weight we took off one of the parts carts at work (why anyone would ADD 25 lbs to a cart is beyond me). I brought it home in case I had problems making weight. The issue never reared it ugly head, as the car came in at 1925 +

I'll throw it in the truck and bring it to you at Savannah, if you want

Rick

Thanks Rick. I'm pretty close, maybe off 25 pounds or so. Thought about taking weight with me and adding after getting an official weight. But sounds like that won't happen if they don't have scales.

Fred... you could start a high carb diet, lots of cold beer and for get about the ballast. 8^)
kidding. s

And how much does your car weigh?

Just have a feed of fish and chips followed by Ke.t..y fried chick. That should solve the problem

Fred's sounds like you need a fatter driver :)

I'm doing my part to add ballast on the driver's side, but the weight is measured without driver. So, the only weight advantage any of us has is to lose it via less cupcakes and pizza.

Fred,
They actually do have a working scale you can use free of charge at Roebling. I have never seen anyone having to get on the scale as part of tech. So, as Rick said, I don't believe you have to worry about it too much.

Fred
You might go to a local gokart shop and see what they have. We used to have to buy lead for my kart when I was racing them. The weights come predrilled and ready to mounted. Might be a bit expensive though, just a thought.

Stirling

Hi Fred,

There are a lot of oval tracks (mostly dirt) in your part of the country, so there must be a speed shop that services those racers not too far away. They can steer you in the right direction.

Try www.speedwaymotors.com mike

Fred if your feeling crafty or brave, I should have some lead ingots, if you wanted you could melt them into whatever shape you need. And if I am out of lead I can get more.

But I prefer the who cares approach, myself.

Bill

I'm with Norman on this one.

I used to go by the tire shop and they were happy to give me the lead weights they took off the cars.
They have buckets full of them.
I would melt them down and make bullets for my black powder guns.

I would also get fine sand. Wet it down. Make a 'mold' in the wet sand. Melt the lead in a cast iron pot
over a gas camping stove. Niddle nose pliers to remove the steel clips. Poar the lead into 'ingot molds'.
Then next year I would have more lead shot.

You know me........a scrounger

A small steel pan makes a cleaner mold than sand, find one with the side that have some angle to them it will slide out ofter it cools. Put something in the middle of the pane to give you a bolt hole, when your done.

A wood stick will let you scrape off the top, as the impurities float up, you can scrape them off so when your weight cools the top is smooth.

Do it outside, dont over heat the lead, doesnt matter how long it takes to melt so dont try to rush it and overheat the metal cause thats when it oxidises and thats how you ingest it and get sick

Come on scrounger, we cant be makin hack parts out of salvage weights.

All great ideas. With a handful of weeks to go and holiday and business travel in the middle, I went the Speedway route. I bought two 50 lbs lead bricks and will weigh, cut, drill and weigh some more.

Tire shops don't give away lead anymore. That's CASH in those buckets!

It's also important to note that the lead needs to be put where it is needed, on the Midgets, they always wanted it in the passenger side footbox. The last palce you want to put extra lead is byond the axles, I seen folks put in the trunk before, thats not a good idea.