Hi folks I thought I would share my experiences with making my own hip weights. Hip weights have the advantage of snugly fitting on both sides of the body,they require less length of weight belt,they don't jam together like smaller single weights,it takes the same time to cast 1 big weight as it does to cast a small weight. If you make your own cast you can have different weights for summer,autumn and winter wet suits.
This is my sand cast for hip weights. I tap a wooden version of the weight into the sand,carefully remove it and pour in the molten lead which is heated in an old coffee tin on a gas burner.
I preweigh the lead first and only melt enough lead for the size of weight I need. I have made weights from 1.5 kg for my 2mm summer wet suit to 5 kg for my 7mm winter suit
the top one is mine the bottom one is a store bought one. I get the curve by bending the weight over a log with a rubber mallet. The sand mix is 6 parts washed beach sand and 1part fireclay. I wet the sand enough that I can mould a sand sausage with my hands and the sausage breaks cleanly.
I also use this sand mould for making drop weights. For the uninitiated these are a weight 300 to 500g that clips on the end of your float line so it can be anchored when you find a good spot on a reef but can be clipped on your weight belt when you want to want to clip your float line to your speargun for shooting large pelagic fish.
This is my light weight belt for my 2mm suit and my drop weight.
I have heard stories of blowouts and flying molten lead due to the expansion of the moisture in the sand. I have made over 20 castings this way and never had a problem.
I do recommend using all the safety gear leather gloves, shoes and apron, full face and head protection and non flammable overalls. Make sure to keep the work area well ventilated and wear a breathing mask.
Good luck with your efforts.
I preweigh the lead first and only melt enough lead for the size of weight I need. I have made weights from 1.5 kg for my 2mm summer wet suit to 5 kg for my 7mm winter suit
I also use this sand mould for making drop weights. For the uninitiated these are a weight 300 to 500g that clips on the end of your float line so it can be anchored when you find a good spot on a reef but can be clipped on your weight belt when you want to want to clip your float line to your speargun for shooting large pelagic fish.
This is my light weight belt for my 2mm suit and my drop weight.
I have heard stories of blowouts and flying molten lead due to the expansion of the moisture in the sand. I have made over 20 castings this way and never had a problem.
I do recommend using all the safety gear leather gloves, shoes and apron, full face and head protection and non flammable overalls. Make sure to keep the work area well ventilated and wear a breathing mask.
Good luck with your efforts.
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