Selling Lead salvaged from a sailboat

Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by ImaginaryNumber, Aug 14, 2017.

  1. ImaginaryNumber
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    ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

    Is there a market for a ton of lead salvaged from a sailboat? I see small quantities of scrap lead (tire weights, fired bullets, etc) selling on eBay for @$1/lb, and moderate quantities of lead cast into ingots for @$2/lb. Is that the best way to move one ton, or are there better ways for someone who doesn't have the equipment to recast the lead?
     
  2. Mr Efficiency
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    Scrap metal merchants will give you a quote, presumably. Of course there is a market for lead.
     
  3. Angélique
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    Angélique aka Angel (only by name)

    Aha, the only part of the boat that increased in value, maybe the bullet casters pay more than the sailboat builders, or they give you one bullet, and then take the rest of the lead for free . . . :eek:

    Take carewear sunglasseseven when it's dark:cool:
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2017
  4. ImaginaryNumber
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    ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

    Mr E
    Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check the scrap metal yards nearby.

    I wonder if there is a market for lead balloons?

    [​IMG]
     
  5. philSweet
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    philSweet Senior Member

    You should get a pretty good price right now - it's back-to-school shopping time and the newspapers are stuffed with fliers for pencils, notebooks and guns.o_O

    upload_2017-8-14_17-45-22.png
     
  6. SamSam
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    SamSam Senior Member

    You can chainsaw it up into reasonable sizes/weights.

    Remelting small amounts can be done on the grill.
     
  7. ImaginaryNumber
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    ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

    I never knew that it was possible (prudent?) to cut lead with a chain saw.


    Cutting Lead with a Chainsaw - Salvaging heavy lead boat keel for bullet casting and reloading
     
  8. SaltOntheBrain
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    SaltOntheBrain Senior Member

    I mentioned to a surf tackle shop that I had some lead and they called me three times in two days wanting to buy it.
    Scrap dealers will give you $.10/lb if you're lucky.
    I also sold some to printing press collectors and bullet casters.
    Hunt around and be patient. You'll find a market for it.
     
  9. Mr Efficiency
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    The price of lead is over $US2000 per ton, so I would say your estimate is way low.
     
  10. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

  11. SamSam
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    SamSam Senior Member

    But.....wouldn't that make it $2,780 a ton...?
     
  12. Mr Efficiency
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    It is pretty simple arithmetic, one would have thought. o_O
     
  13. Kailani
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    Kailani Senior Member

    Buy or sell price?
     
  14. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    That is retail price for lead cast into ingots. Scrap lead is half or less.
     

  15. SamSam
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    SamSam Senior Member

    I think Mr E was referring to retail price.
    Scrap yards are paying 55 - 60 cents a lb, so a ton would be worth $1,100 to $ 1,200.
     
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