I used to keep some sheet lead, used for roof flashing , for use as cushions in by vise jaws. I found that the 1/8" sheets were great for making custom lead weights for the planes. When I ran short, I went to the roofing supply to buy another strip and got the shock of my life. a 4" x 4ft, x 1/8" thick lead sheet was going to cost me close to $50. Iwent back to my scrap bin and dug out the old wheel weights, fishing sinkers and clipping from my first lead sheet. Some 28 year back, I was building a balsa kit of the spirit of America America's cups first winner. I needed about 15 lbs of lead balast for it and I had been saving up for years. I found that I could use an old cast iron skillet, about 6" in diameter and my torch and make pan cakes of lead what ever thickness I needed and then use some old sheet metal shears to cut it to size. All of the melting done outside with a good breeze to carry the fumes away and disperse them.

I've still got the boat kit, with the hull framed up and a couple courses of sheeting laid down. I haven't touched it in some 28 yeasr now other than to move it from NY to Mich, to NY to Ca, and then again in CA. . Man, it seems like yesterday.

Don