Adding weight

[richg]

Once in a while there is a question about adding weight to rolling stock, tenders and locos. I did a Google search and came up with the below results.
Some here may not like using lead and there are alternatives.
I use disposable rubber gloves and do not grind or sand lead wights to modify a piece of lead. I also use lead bird shot from a gun shop. I have no children so that is not an issue but it is if you have small children in the area.
I also have some metal that melts at the temp of boiling water and it is not lead. I pour my own weights some times. I use plastic Lego blocks as a form when pouring the metal.

Store links you like in Favorites.

http://tinyurl.com/6jkec4m

http://tinyurl.com/63olv93

Rich

[NarrowMinded]

I use steel bird shot stuffed in a ballon I add a little white glue in the baloon then stuff it in place (fit it before you add glue  and tie it) latex is porous so the glue will dry after sometime and hold it's shape

Hm

[Doneldon]

rich-

Where do you find lead shot? It's been outlawed for many years. That's why the eagles have come back in the lower 48. I would use it if I thought I could find it at a reasonable price. I have used steel shot but it's no where near as dense as lead.

Actually, I use whatever I can find. Big, old, odd  screws in my miscellaneous hardware tub used to be a good source but the ones worth using have run out. I do have hundreds of very small screws left there; maybe I'll try them as a substitute for shot. I use caulk to hold things like shot and find it also works well with other weights. It's great for a bunch of pennis, whether stacked or spread out. I do like to keep my weight low in the car if I can.
                                                                                                                                                                  -- D

[richg]

rich-

Where do you find lead shot? It's been outlawed for many years. That's why the eagles have come back in the lower 48. I would use it if I thought I could find it at a reasonable price. I have used steel shot but it's no where near as dense as lead.

Actually, I use whatever I can find. Big, old, odd  screws in my miscellaneous hardware tub used to be a good source but the ones worth using have run out. I do have hundreds of very small screws left there; maybe I'll try them as a substitute for shot. I use caulk to hold things like shot and find it also works well with other weights. It's great for a bunch of pennis, whether stacked or spread out. I do like to keep my weight low in the car if I can.
                                                                                                                                                                  -- D

I had a 2 lb bag I picked up years ago that had started to split. We used them years ago as weights in testing all kinds of helicopter components for navy helicopters the company built. I thought it might be available at gun shops but have not looked for it as I have enough for a long time. I forget how many split bags we threw out into the trash bins. I shudder at all the hundreds of Fluorescent Lamps
we threw out also.

I am sure the two links I posted will give you some info on weight possibilities.

Rich

[jonathan]

I have gotten use to using lead fishing weights, called split shot?  You know, you pinch it over fishing line... Or if you unfold and fold enough times, it breaks in half.  Great stuff.  No need to file or sand.  Hold a half piece with a needle nose pliers, and pound to shape with a small hammer, on the garage floor. 

I've used up all my old nuts and bolts on all my box cars.  Had to switch to something else...

Regards,

Jonathan

[lanceraider]

I found on Ebay 1/4 oz steal wheel weights with adhesive backs. Non-toxic and they stick on easily
Bruce

[Jim Banner]

I also have some metal that melts at the temp of boiling water and it is not lead.
Rich

Would that be Lipowitz Alloy, sold in the US under the trade name Cerrobend?  That is an alloy of about 50% Bismuth, 25% Lead, 15% Tin and 10% Cadmium.  The Lead and Cadmium contents are particularly worrisome.  A number of other low melting point alloys are listed at this link:
http://www.gizmology.net/fusiblemetals.htm

Jim

[richg]

I also have some metal that melts at the temp of boiling water and it is not lead.
Rich

Would that be Lipowitz Alloy, sold in the US under the trade name Cerrobend?  That is an alloy of about 50% Bismuth, 25% Lead, 15% Tin and 10% Cadmium.  The Lead and Cadmium contents are particularly worrisome.  A number of other low melting point alloys are listed at this link:
http://www.gizmology.net/fusiblemetals.htm

Jim

I have a small digital scale that I piicked up ooff of ebay for about $20.00 that  I use to measure the weight removed from a loco for a sound decoder install and use the same scale to pour the new weights. Put the Lego blocks on  small piece of wax paper which is on the scale, and pour the metal into the form until I get the proper weight. Works fine for the lead shot weights also.
The scale is good for checking rolling stock weight also.

Rich

[Santa Fe buff]

My dad, being a mechanic, has tons of excess nuts and bits. I got the idea from a 2nd hand caboose I bought. You stack, and glue, lug nuts in the cars. Although, I wouldn't recommend this for open window cars.

I also find if I have a hopper with a live load, I have no need to weight it down!

Probably the best way to weight something small down is some good old lead. Not healthy, but man, its cheap and effective!

Cheers,
Joshua

[jward]

for weight, nothing is cheaper than pennies.

[Joe323]

for weight, nothing is cheaper than pennies.

If they fit Jeff.

[Jerrys HO]

pennies are easily cut and shaped to what you need and can be flattened. I found alot of old pennies that were flattened by the old tourists or should I say child trap that you find in most museums and parks.

[poliss]

Why is it that some railway modellers seem to be obsessed with stuffing their stock choc full of poisonous lead? If and when you sell it, do you remove the lead?
If your stock isn't heavy enough to go round the track without derailing why not write to the manufacturers and ask them to make them heavier?

[NarrowMinded]

Lead gets a bad wrap from kids chewing on window seals with leadbased paint, if you wash your hands after handling it before you eat you'll be fine, even if you don't wash them before you eat the exposure is very minimal. you likely get more lead while driving down the highway.

My point is lead wont hurt you from being in the same room with it.

if your concerned about lead you should by a lead test kit then test random things around your home... on second thought don't you will likely run screaming from your home


NM-Jeff

[poliss]

Why would I get more lead driving down the highway? We banned lead in petrol in 2000. I doubt if you'd find any lead in my home either. All lead pipes, paint etc. were removed years ago.
Lead accumulates in the body, and regular exposure to even very low quantities may badly damage intellectual and behavioural development of infants and young children.