D-Weight Mould

[Amphibious]

Anyone know where I can find a mould for D-weights? or something similar?

 

[IvarNelson]

What is a D weight and whats good about them?

maybe a stupid question but hey! If you never ask, you never know...



Ivar Nelson

 

[Amphibious]

they are the little lead weights in the picture. very low profile, very hydrodynamic.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Here is a photo that may show them more clearly.

I like them because they are so clean, and because at 1.5 pounds each, it is easy to change my neutral depth in small increments.

However I don't know a source for a mould, and the place I bought my weights, Florida Freedivers, doesn't seem to carry them anymore.

 

[Amphibious]

that's them! when you have to wear a 15lb belt, being hydrodynamic is but a dream.

Hmmm....... might have to call in a machinist buddy and see about making a mould... could you take some Measurments Bill?

I've got about 40lbs of recovered Hardcasts from the range to melt down....

 

[Bill McIntyre]

could you take some Measurments Bill?

Mine seem to be about

3 1/16" high

1 3/8" wide

1" thick

 

[Mr. X]

I agree, D-weights are a good design -- I am surprised they are not more readily available. Rob Allen produce them. However, we found the cost of shipping lead from SA to the UK to be prohibitive (surface shipping from SA seems to be much more expensive & weight-sensitive than, say, from the USA to the UK) . I asked RA if it was pos. to purchase a mould but, unsurprisingly, they use expensive production moulds.

However, moulds for similar "bullet weights" are usually available at a reasonable price on ebay from Canada I think. (I posted a sample link on a similar thread not long ago). Definitely checkout Huans lead making thread, lots of good advice & great results. It also includes images of Old Man Dave's bullet weights.

Hey Bill, care to explain the use of those threads & clips on your belt?

 

[Old Man Dave]

Like This?

http://forums.deeperblue.net/530304-post24.html

http://forums.deeperblue.net/530320-post25.html

http://forums.deeperblue.net/532431-post28.html

http://forums.deeperblue.net/536929-post36.html

http://forums.deeperblue.net/536930-post37.html

http://forums.deeperblue.net/536931-post38.html

Dave

 

[Bill McIntyre]

I got my weights from the US Rob Allen importer, Florida Freedivers, and I was willing to pay for shipping across the US, but apparently they don't offer them any more.

 

[Amphibious]

yes, bullet weights are very common, and moulds easy to get.

that being said this thread would not exist if I had not already owned , used, and become disapointed in them :t

the D weights are more comfortable and far more streamlined. I have casted many a lead weight, but only have access to moulds for traditional style. if all else fails I might just get a bullet mould and cut the finnished weight to size. lot of extra fuss.....

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Hey Bill, care to explain the use of those threads & clips on your belt?

The "threads" must mean those loops of mono? If so, I run them through the slots in the weights just for attaching things to the belt. I keep changing, and that brass clip is no longer on there, but it was intended for attaching a lobster bag or for hanging a gun on it when I needed two hands for something.

Presently, my belt has a loop of mono on each side. One is to attach a clip on one end of my stringer as well as a clip for my Riffe double popper float, and the other is to hold the stainless spike end of the stringer.

I guess I better explain the double popper float since its shown in the photo and I've mentioned it. Riffe dealers normally carry his utility float which uses one 16 gram cyliinder. That is enough to fully inflate the float at the surface, but of course can't inflate it fully at any depth. The model I have uses 2 16 gram cylinders so that you can inflate it under water, and it has a relief valve that vents the excess gas as you ascend so that the bag won't burst. I find this thing indispensible for recovering white sea bass tied up deep in the kelp. It can be difficult as well as dangerous to be down there holding my breath in poor vis surrounded by mono shooting line and kelp trying to sort out the mess and cut the right things. With this float, I kill the fish, detach the shooting line from the reel line or float line, attach the clip on one end of the float to the slip tip cable, and pull both toggles. Most of the time the float will rip the mono out of the kelp and bring the fish to the surface. If it doesn't, at least it lifts the fish up and takes up all the slack so that I can see which kelp needs cutting. I wear the float in an optional velcro holster in the middle of my weight belt. Until very recently, Riffe did not sell this float through his dealers, and you had to get it from him direct. That was no problem for me because I live only three miles from his shop. Now, at least one dive shop nearby carries them, although I'm not sure how n=many others may.

Sorry for hijacking the weight thread, but I felt that some one might ask about the other things shown in the photo, so I might as well get it out of the way.

 

[Old Man Dave]

Every one to their own, but personally I never found and don't believe "D"'s are better than bullets.
Also interested to here that bullet moulds are readily available. Wonder why I bothered to make mine then?
Also seems strange that if "D"'s are better than bullets you can get bullet moulds but not "D" moulds. Very weird.
Each to their own.
Dave

 

[Bill McIntyre]

I don't know about molds, but I can get bullet weights right in my local dive shop if I want them, so I wouldn't bother trying to pour them myself.

Unfortunately, I happen to prefer the "D" weights, and I can't buy them around here.

 

[Mr. X]

yes, bullet weights are very common, and moulds easy to get.

that being said this thread would not exist if I had not already owned , used, and become disapointed in them :t

the D weights are more comfortable and far more streamlined. I have casted many a lead weight, but only have access to moulds for traditional style. if all else fails I might just get a bullet mould and cut the finnished weight to size. lot of extra fuss.....

Wow, I am surprised they make much difference to stream-lining, although I imagine the flat back might be more comfortable (although with a wetsuit on...). I contacted the guy who sells the moulds on ebay (as he seems to have several models that he has been selling for a while) and suggested he might want to consider a D-shape mould (actually, I think I owe him some rubber belt dimensions ... he seemed interested...his weight moulds are designed for webbing belts).

 

[Bill McIntyre]

I doubt that they make any difference in streamling, but the comfort is what I like about them. I wear a thick suit, but the bullets still feel a lot more lumpy than the D weights.

Also, I think they are a bit more efficient use of belt space for a given amount of weight.

 

[khel]

Why not to make your own molds?? It's easy

 

[Huan]

What do you make the moulds from?
I tried Plaster of paris once, the volcano effect when the boiling lead hit wet plaster was a powerful disincentive to continue the experiment.

 

[Amphibious]

I doubt that they make any difference in streamling, but the comfort is what I like about them. I wear a thick suit, but the bullets still feel a lot more lumpy than the D weights.

Also, I think they are a bit more efficient use of belt space for a given amount of weight.

Bingo!

I never said they were "better", just that they would be better for me. I dislike the bullet weights for the same reasons as Bill.

 

[khel]

What do you make the moulds from?
I tried Plaster of paris once, the volcano effect when the boiling lead hit wet plaster was a powerful disincentive to continue the experiment.

Hehe, cannot say that it was a good idea to mix wet plaster and boiling lead. Don't do it again

It's been about 20 years since I was playing with mold and lead. At that time I used gypsum. It worked quite well.

Nowadays, there's a big variety of different clays/plasters for molds, but frankly, I have no idea which one is better. Just try "making molds" in google and you'll get plenty of information

Nick

 

[portinfer]

Yeah but bullet weights make you look like a suicide bomber.... at least I got that reaction on the local beach last summer... lucky I don't wear camo too.

On a serious note I have not tried the 'D' weights but prefer the bullets over the 'H' weights ... the 'double D' are even better I am told but have had trouble getting my hands on them recently.

All the best in your quest for ultimate leadity - Ed