Fixing lead loading

[Graeme Dunbar]

If it is just lead metal that is wanted rather than finely divided material then roofing lead flashing is a ready source.

As a source heavy pourable material then tungsten powder as used for weighting golf clubs is a possibility, tungsten being more dense than lead (1.7 x).  The issue with powder or pellets is all the voids in between the material reducing the density. It has occurred to me to compare say a 1 cc cube of solid lead with a similar volume of tungsten powder with appropriate glue. Packing density assuming spheres is something like 60% to 70% at best so the difference between a shaped piece of lead and tungsten powder is possibly marginal.

[Derek Clark]

Never knew that! I haven't need lead for awhile and I have a few old wheel weights.
It has got to be ask the local roofer for an offcut of lead flashing then. If they still use lead, of course.

[Graeme Dunbar]

Roofing lead is readily available. You don't even need to go to anywhere exotic to buy it:

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Calder-Code-4-Roof-Lead-Flashing---150mm-x-3m/p/241450?utm_source=google&scid=scplp241450&sc_intid=241450&ds_rl=1255384&ds_rl=1255441&ds_rl=1256318&gclid=CjwKCAiApNSABhAlEiwANuR9YL0r093JiEUbfkKDCZxf9gHv9a8l5aC49WOmG14zIRI2Y-RcQg4wMhoCKaIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Code-Lead-Flashing-Sheet-Rolls/dp/B00LAAS2RW/ref=sr_1_12?adgrpid=53051549277&dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAiApNSABhAlEiwANuR9YCIqD_j6wZBd-VwMjv1lSDrA2BTS6C7lpIE1JEwGrpWm_8tQlYO-uRoCJikQAvD_BwE&hvadid=259086527989&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1007346&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15793452313769225790&hvtargid=kwd-301467216953&hydadcr=28148_1752695&keywords=lead+flashing&qid=1612017033&sr=8-12&tag=googhydr-21

Trouble is, who would need that amount for modelling purposes!

[Peter Boulter]

These lead curtain weights are quite good and easy to cut to whatever size you want.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rufflette-Curtain-Weights-Penny-Size-Lead/dp/B0063G5P7S/ref=sr_1_37?crid=1GG0X3K4QM9C4&keywords=lead+weights&qid=1553038601&s=gateway&sprefix=lead+weight%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-37

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Do not use PVA as the acetic acid given off during curing will react with the lead causing it to expand

That explains why it came loose then.  :-\
Its a shame that hot glue is not suitable either, I have loads of that.

[JulienW]

<snipped>
Its a shame that hot glue is not suitable either, I have loads of that.

I'm not sure why it shouldn't be - as far as I know the hot melt glue doesn't get hot enough to melt the lead, nor the plastic kit / scratch built wagon/loco you might be sticking the lead to.

I'd have thought that if the lead shot was being poured into a cavity it could be capped off with hot melt glue.  The other thought would be to run a bead of the glue along the underside of the wagon and sprinkle on & press in as much lead shot as possible before the glue cools and hardens (without burning your fingers!), or stick lead sheet down with it instead.

What the hot melt glue probably will not do is soak through the shot to weld it into a single mass, which is why people tend to use the PVA (usually thinned with water) that causes the problems. If that's the effect you are after (welded mass of shot) then thin superglue should do the job, and it might also be possible to do much the same with paint or varnish - just not a water-based one (as we may well be back to PVA again!).

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Stick on lead decoration for windows can work well too, and can be cut with a Stanley knife.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/self-adhesive-lead-strip-tape-for-windows-glass-crafts-4-5mm-6mm-9mm-12-Regalead/274052400219?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649