What would my best way to melt some wheel weights down. I want to make some weights for Duck decoys out of a bucket full.

I used a 20lb lead capacity pot for my wheel weights. All I did was through some weights in, and let them melt down. I would then use a spoon and clean out all the junk such as the steel clips. Then I would poor some into my molds and keep feeding them in, and cleaning.

I guess I am kind of looking for a chean and easy way to melt this stuff. Would a propane torch and an old pot work?

You would go through propane quick. Maybe a fire under a cast iron pot? I forget the temp. the lead needs to melt.

The lead melting pots aren't that expensive.  Lee makes some value pots.  Get some flux too (candle wax) to clean off the impurities in the lead.

Anthony

I use a old 2 burner Coleman stove and an old steel pot. Used the same system years ago when I was making plastics out in Poway. Always done outside...

Just my .02¢

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

The Lee pots are pretty much a staple for doing it.  Lurecraft has them:

http://www.lurecraft.com/catalog.cfm/pouring-equipment

When I melt wheel weights, I usually use a very large Iron pot and a propane burner. after the wheel weights have melted to a liquid state I flux them.

To Flux I use Beeswax. I just toss in small piece and stir with very large spoon. This will bring all of the dross and pieces of metal to the surface to be removed.

If you remove the metal and the dross from the surface without fluxing you will remove some of the tin and antimony. and if you continue scooping the shiny stuff off the top you are removing tin, a needed ingredient for hardness, and it makes pouring a lot smoother.

I have several tons of the stuff all mixed with tin (from 95/5 solder). I was using it when I was making bullets for myself and my shooting buddies.

I use the same lead/tin mixture for making lead jig heads and catfish weights.

When melting wheel weights or any lead mixture, be sure that there is no moisture present, if there is and you put some in the mixture you will remember doing so for a long time. I know, I put  a wet ladle in melted bullet metal back in the early '60's. I was lucky to only get a few scars! I didn't once think that that little bit moisture would hurt anything.