Identifying unwanted wheel weights

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Richard Pickering posted this 16 October 2024

Are there specific markings on unwanted weights ? Such as ZN, FE, or other easy tdentification.  I have some with MC markings. Are they ok for use or should they be avoided ?  Thank you.

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Rich/WIS posted this 16 October 2024

FE and ZN are iron and zinc and go in the trash.  Not sure of the MC marking, have not seen that before, although I haven't smelted WW in over six or seven years.  Usual test is try to cut the weight with a set of diagonal or linesman pliers, if the weight doesn't cut toss it.  

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beltfed posted this 16 October 2024

These days, you will WANT to sort your WW carefully, even one by one.

The Key is to find and saparate the Zinc ones as they will ruin a pot of ww- turning the alloy to mush.

 I will sit over a bucket of WW and sort thusly:

1. the iron ww can usually be visually IDed by noting the clips are riveted on or integral..

2. stick on are obvious strips or square pieces that will flex- soft very pure lead

3. Rubber ones - obvious gray rubbery

All other clip on need carefull sorting:

I use a utility/razor knife to try to shave a sliver of lead off each clip on ww

The good lead ones , the lead will smoothly cut, 

The Zinc , the knife will chatter, not cut well

Iron ons , knife will not cut in at all.

beltfed/arnie

 

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Aaron posted this 16 October 2024

I have found the easiest way to sort weights is to log on to Roto Metals and sort through the listings until you find the alloy you want and purchase it.

The days of WW metal are over.

With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.

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Buttersdad posted this 17 October 2024

In my experience the weights marked MC are not lead.

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Eutectic posted this 22 October 2024

Unfortunately the days of cheap wheel weight alloy are gone. My last 25 pound batch for the local tire shop had ONE lead clip-on weight. There were 3 pounds of soft lead stick-on weights. Some stick-on weights are now iron.

If you find a bucket of old WWs, grab it!

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jdsingleshot posted this 25 October 2024

Drop questionable weights on a concrete floor. Zink will clink, lead is dead.

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Eddie Southgate posted this 05 November 2024

The MC marked weights I melted the other day were lead . That said the MC mark is an indicator of the clip style used for certain aluminum and alloy wheels not the alloy of the weight. 

Grumpy Old Man With A Gun......Do Not Touch .

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Brodie posted this 4 weeks ago

Iron and zinc wheel weights make excellent fishing sinkers in areas where you can foul and snag the bottom a lot.  Just use a lighter line to tie the "sinker" on the bottom of your line, so when it hangs up all you lose is the sinker. 

B.E.Brickey

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LeverGunner posted this 3 weeks ago

I use a pair of side cutters and nip every single weight. It's somewhat time consuming, but it is also the surest method unless you let your mind wander and accidentally throw a good weight in the bad bucket, or worse... a bad weight in the good bucket.

 

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