Lead

[Pat D]

I have been going to the recycle centers and tire shops. The stick on tire weights seem to be pure lead but I sort out any weights that have Fe (Iron) or Zn (Zinc) stamped on them. I test the lead by listening to the thud sound against a big bolt. If it gives a ting sound it could be zinc or iron. I also test the lead with fencing pliers for purity by seeing how easy it is to mar. I also sort the wheel weights by brands and melt them separately.
I melt the Lead in a clean old pot at about 750*F to get more impurities out. At this stage I have used several different things as flux, Beeswax, grease, dry sawdust, and clean catty litter. I have heard of others using hydraulic fluid.
The sticky stuff on the weights put out a lot of smoke. It would be advised to do this outside making ingots.