Scrap Yards no longer selling Lead?

**nbayrx** · 08-28-2012, 05:10 AM

I use scrap lead for my hobby and I use to have no problem buying it at scrap yards. I use to be able to go and get a 5 gallon bucket of lead wheel weights from my local scrap yard at any time. Now, they either tell me they have no lead or can't sell me any. I certainly pay more to them then they pay to get it. I don't understand. If anyone knows where I can buy some scrap lead in South Florida please tell me where. I don't care if it's roofing lead, Solder, dive weights, Wheel weights, whatever.
Thanks:confused:

**JohnC4X4** · 08-28-2012, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by nbayrx

I use to be able to go and get a 5 gallon bucket of lead wheel weights

Cut out the middle man
Contact your local tire shops

**nbayrx** · 08-28-2012, 06:14 AM

I have tried that. They either give an excuse that they can't sell do that because they are not allowed or that they return them to the company. The corporate tire stores tell me that I have to get permission from the main office. One in my area admits that they throw them right in the trash, yet, won't sell them to me.

**scrapperben** · 08-28-2012, 06:28 AM

if you could make your car somewhat bullet proof, why not do some drive by's around the gangster areas?
stick your head out every now 'n then yelling!
i'm sure you will accumulate enough lead for your hobby, free!

**nbayrx** · 08-28-2012, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by scrapperben

if you could make your car somewhat bullet proof, why not do some drive by's around the gangster areas?
stick your head out every now 'n then yelling!
i'm sure you will accumulate enough lead for your hobby, free!

Is that how scrappers do it in Australia?

**scrapperben** · 08-28-2012, 09:55 AM

nah no guns here mate

**ggariepy** · 08-28-2012, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by nbayrx

I have tried that. They either give an excuse that they can't sell do that because they are not allowed or that they return them to the company. The corporate tire stores tell me that I have to get permission from the main office. One in my area admits that they throw them right in the trash, yet, won't sell them to me.

If that dumpster isn't locked, doesn't have 'no trespassing' signs around it, and is not in a secured area of their property (i.e. is in the parking lot, or behind the building in the alley) I'd be dumpster-diving that sucker in a heartbeat! Take a long magnetic pickup tool and snare them by the piece of steel that attaches them to the wheel rim. Whatever you don't use yourself you can sell for scrap. As a matter of fact, that gives me an idea...

--Geoff
(longtime dumpster diver...)

**nbayrx** · 08-28-2012, 10:51 AM

I have actually thought of that, the problem is that tire shops use quite a few razor blades and the grease an other non-desireable things made me change my mind. If all of them were disposed as a bucket that would be different.

**oldtoothlessbassmaster** · 08-28-2012, 11:19 AM

put this string into a google search

"Alpha 56468 Solder Lead Ingot"

**mrbillbus** · 08-28-2012, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by nbayrx

I use scrap lead for my hobby and I use to have no problem buying it at scrap yards. I use to be able to go and get a 5 gallon bucket of lead wheel weights from my local scrap yard at any time. Now, they either tell me they have no lead or can't sell me any. I certainly pay more to them then they pay to get it. I don't understand. If anyone knows where I can buy some scrap lead in South Florida please tell me where. I don't care if it's roofing lead, Solder, dive weights, Wheel weights, whatever.
Thanks:confused:

You need to join this forum:

Cast Boolits - Dedicated To The World Of Cast Bullets!

The expert lead hounds on there will teach you everything you need to know about lead acquisition.

Bill

**nbayrx** · 08-28-2012, 03:10 PM

Yeah, I'm a member of that forum.
Thanks

**metal gypsy** · 08-29-2012, 12:33 PM

To me it looks like a corporate/government thing, Ive heard the same things at my tire shops.......Exide Battery....Federal laws....blah blah blah...

**nbayrx** · 08-29-2012, 12:43 PM

States are starting to require wheel weights to convert to steel or zinc because the lead ones are hazardous. I am always having to stop the neighborhood kids from chewing on the wheel weights on my truck.

**oldtoothlessbassmaster** · 08-29-2012, 12:56 PM

some of the new regs on lead is from the amount of fishing tackle snagging up and getting broken off in freshwater.

big push to outright ban lead for lures and switch to brass

more info here

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp...w=1264&bih=537

**parrothead** · 08-29-2012, 10:29 PM

I am in Port st lucie if that is close at all. I have maybe 2 pounds at the max. If you are close to me would be good, but otherwise probnably not worth the shipping.

I do get to swest palm beach area once a month as well. Send me a message if I can help you at all.

**nbayrx** · 08-30-2012, 10:38 AM

Appreciate the offer but I am looking for large amounts.

**shadygrady** · 09-01-2012, 10:59 AM

do you have any zinc i have plenty of lead grady_mitchell2002@yahoo.com

**nbayrx** · 09-01-2012, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by shadygrady

do you have any zinc i have plenty of lead grady_mitchell2002@yahoo.com

I get mostly wheel weights and throw the zinc out. Not enough worth speakin of.

**sheepdogtx** · 09-04-2012, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by nbayrx

I use scrap lead for my hobby and I use to have no problem buying it at scrap yards. I use to be able to go and get a 5 gallon bucket of lead wheel weights from my local scrap yard at any time. Now, they either tell me they have no lead or can't sell me any. I certainly pay more to them then they pay to get it. I don't understand. If anyone knows where I can buy some scrap lead in South Florida please tell me where. I don't care if it's roofing lead, Solder, dive weights, Wheel weights, whatever.
Thanks:confused:

As said dont buy from yards, too easy to buy a 5 gallon for $20 or less (for 6 pack of brew) for your local tire shop. Dont bother with big chains, they have contracts. Small mom & pops usually scrap themselves. The big box shops like Sears, Walmart, etc are the sweet spot either cause they dont make thier own batteries like an NTB, Pepboys, etc or they have minimum-ish wage guys doing tires.

I use lead to for my "hobby" but I typically sell the leftovers from the smelt (clips, zinc, steel, misc lead I dropped) as "lead" for half spot at my local scrap yard. I can sell "clean lead" in ingots to them for 125% of spot which they sell to small timers that need 10 pounds or less for sinkers, boolits, etc. they still took them as of saturday, 50 lbs got me 25 crisp.