Practically Classics Forum

I have some lead left over from putting a flashing on a new extention. Can I melt this down, pour it into a groove in a plank, allow it to set and then use it for lead loading. If I can will have a go at lead loading. Seems a waste to put it on the scrap heap if I can use it.

Body solder isn't pure lead, it's a mixture of lead and around 7% tin on average so while what you have is closer to body solder than it is to 60/40, no, lead alone won't last, assuming that you can flow it before it all ends up on the floor.

Weigh it in and spend the proceeds on the proper stuff.

If you are somewhere near Staffordshire/Derbyshire border, I have a Lead Loading kit I have never used. You are quite welcome to pinch a bit of lead from it to try

Thanks for the offer Terry but Stafford to Pembrokeshire is a bit too far to go to scrounge a bit of lead. My old mum used to say "waste not, want not" and that was the reason behind my question. My son is a keen angler so he can have the lead and melt it down for weights and I will get some proper stuff.

I saw a Lead Loading demonstration by one of the instructors from Leeds College at the NEC show last November. He made it look so easy although I'm sort of familiar with the basics as my father was a traditional plumber repairing lead pipes and church roofs. Next to the display was a trade stand from LB Restoration who sell the 'lead' separately or as part of a kit - must admit I almost bought the kit to play with but I have too many other priorities at the moment.
http://www.lb-restoration.co.uk/cgi-bin ... 01450.1725

Is the lead from LB different to plumbers solder which my Dad had - the sticks look the same but I wonder if the content is different?

Mike