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wheel weight mold

dravnx

dravnx

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 13, 2012
Location
santa rosa, ca
Moto(s)
Yamaha Vino 125
R1200RS '18
Name
Jeff
BARF perks
AMA #3018349
I want to make my own lead 1/4 oz wheel weights as you can't have them shipped to California.
I have an automatic tire machine set up in my shop and do a lot of tire changes for friends and I plan on turning in to a part time retirement gig within the next year or so.
Throw me some ideas on fabricating a mold. I have access to a mill.
I can have lead weights shipped to another state and then shipped here but the shipping costs of lead are a ball buster.
 
mild steel will last a looooong time as a mold material for lead. weight/density=volume

i'd probably size the weight to a 3/8 endmill, plunge it in, move over to make a slot and yer done. you could get fancier and make a 2 piece mold with gates and such so the only trimming is cutting of the runners with a pair of wire cutters.

i've seen your day gig i bet any more explanation would be insulting :teeth
 
Aluminum won't rust. I'd do the same, just mill a pocket, pour into pre-heated mold. If you over-pour, keep a putty knife handy to scrape the top flush before it freezes.
 
So you cant buy them from any local stores?
 

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Nobody will ship lead to California. You have to pile on the steel or sintered iron weights. We're having the same problem with aircraft wheels. The maintenance shop has the lead weights shipped to an out of state address and then re-shipped to here.
 
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Bought 10 lbs of new stick-on wheel weights from North Carolina last year on ebay. 40.00 with free shipping. should last me years.
 
PERFECT .25 oz SELF ADHESIVE STICK ON UNCOATED LEAD WHEEL WEIGHTS-48 PCS toolman15061
can't seem to post the link. paste that into the ebay search in the auto section
 
Awesome, ordered a bunch. See how long this lasts.
 
If that online source dries up and you want to follow through with casting your own, I would suggest looking to the firearms community. Lost of people cast lead bullets for reloading.

You can buy blanks ready for milling
link

Just add a pair of handles
link

Might want to be warry of using lead if you transition to doing tire changes as a business.
 
Haven't done any balancing of road wheels so I'm only familiar with the spoke wheel weights. What makes lead better than the other options, more weight for less material or something?
 
You’ve got it. Lead is a much denser material.
 
Now if I can source some depleted uranium......
 
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