Lipo-Lead weight plates
01-15-2008, 03:02 PM
#16
To all of the kids reading this, if you will be filing lead, wear a mask or respirator. Since most kids won't wear one, don't file lead. Instead of using lead, spend a little more money and get tungsten weights for pine-wood derby cars. They cost more, but are safer and you can use less volume because tungsten is much more dense than lead.
You can get 4.5 ounces of tungsten weight for $10.50 (a 4.2oz lead plate from this thread will cost you $8 + shipping, so same price) here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=015
You can get 4.5 ounces of tungsten weight for $10.50 (a 4.2oz lead plate from this thread will cost you $8 + shipping, so same price) here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=015
Whatever you choose to use,make sure you put it as low in the chassis as possible.I see some drivers put all their weights on top of the battery strap and wonder why the car still barrel rolls in the corners.That just makes it too top heavy.
01-15-2008, 04:00 PM
#17
If you want to melt lead and mold your own weights and wear masks etc, fine...
If not... simply buy some Lipo-Lead and be done with it.
If not... simply buy some Lipo-Lead and be done with it.
01-15-2008, 04:08 PM
#18
Great idea, wish someone had done this sooner. On the 3200 is there a piece small enough to go between the "nubs"?
Product recommendation: to ease the concerns of the state of california (as I assume by that state this is known to cause cancer), have they thought about dipping them in something to cover the lead? A thin rubbery solution?
Product recommendation: to ease the concerns of the state of california (as I assume by that state this is known to cause cancer), have they thought about dipping them in something to cover the lead? A thin rubbery solution?
It doesn't sound too crazy to me and it's not like battery terminals, tire weights or any other lead products are required to be covered in plastic...nor are there any consumer products banned from sale or use in California...at least not that I've heard of.
We now return to your regularly scheduled California-bashing.
01-15-2008, 04:11 PM
#19
The "state of california" doesn't have any greater concerns regarding lead than any other state, we just have a law that requires labeling for toxic substances.
It doesn't sound too crazy to me and it's not like battery terminals, tire weights or any other lead products are required to be covered in plastic...nor are there any consumer products banned from sale or use in California...at least not that I've heard of.
We now return to your regularly scheduled California-bashing.
It doesn't sound too crazy to me and it's not like battery terminals, tire weights or any other lead products are required to be covered in plastic...nor are there any consumer products banned from sale or use in California...at least not that I've heard of.
We now return to your regularly scheduled California-bashing.
I just want them covered in rubber so they are easier to handle. 
01-15-2008, 04:22 PM
#20
It would be nice to have a coating regardless of where you live. You never know who might get ahold of your car and it doesn't take much lead at all to really do a number on a child...hence the drama over lead paint on toys.
01-15-2008, 04:53 PM
#21
I have a variety of coating products in the shop to try.... so far I have only clearcoated and painted black some I use in my own cars. I also have at least a couple different plastic type coatings I can do... just have not done it yet.
I've thought about doing that... but probably will only do so per request since I don't want to add thickness to the plates. A quick clearcoat won't do much, but a plastic dip/spray could be the difference between a tight fit and one that needs mods.
I'll have a report in a few days on the "plastic-y" coatings... so far the black and clear paint does a nice job.
I've thought about doing that... but probably will only do so per request since I don't want to add thickness to the plates. A quick clearcoat won't do much, but a plastic dip/spray could be the difference between a tight fit and one that needs mods.
I'll have a report in a few days on the "plastic-y" coatings... so far the black and clear paint does a nice job.
Last edited by glassdoctor; 01-15-2008 at 11:41 PM.
01-15-2008, 11:44 PM
#22
We'll have plenty in stock in a few days, including the new 1oz thin plate for more tuning options.
01-16-2008, 07:30 AM
#24
Don't lick it and you'll be fine 
You know... lead was once used in pluming pipes and some of it's still out there. Lead has even been used to make drinking cups... now that's a bad idea. So.... moral of the story is don't eat Lipo Lead.
You know... lead was once used in pluming pipes and some of it's still out there. Lead has even been used to make drinking cups... now that's a bad idea. So.... moral of the story is don't eat Lipo Lead.
01-16-2008, 07:53 AM
#26
Oh, I agree, you just need to use common sense. If a bunch of guys at your track order a pizza to share, do they all run and wash their hands before they eat? Hopefully so, but you can almost guarantee that not everybody will. If you're shuffling a pack with lead on it in and out of your car all day, it might not hurt to wash up before mawing down on some pizza. Just a thought. Tungsten is popular in pinewood derby because they don't want the kids handling lead. It doesn't hurt to remind folks, especially with the R/C crowd that thinks nothing will hurt them. :-)
01-16-2008, 08:24 AM
#27
not to irritate anybody.. but it will...
If your going to a ROAR race, you might want to brush up on rule 5.2.6 in the rule book.
5.2.6 Any material used to add weight to a vehicle in order to comply with the minimum weight requirements for the class must be securely attached to the vehicle chassis. If such ballast falls off the vehicle during a race for any reason, and the vehicle is under weight at the post race inspection, the vehicle will be disqualified for that run. For all fuel classes, chassis weights must be securely mounted with solid mechanical fasteners such as bolts or screws.
If your going to a ROAR race, you might want to brush up on rule 5.2.6 in the rule book.
5.2.6 Any material used to add weight to a vehicle in order to comply with the minimum weight requirements for the class must be securely attached to the vehicle chassis. If such ballast falls off the vehicle during a race for any reason, and the vehicle is under weight at the post race inspection, the vehicle will be disqualified for that run. For all fuel classes, chassis weights must be securely mounted with solid mechanical fasteners such as bolts or screws.
01-16-2008, 08:30 AM
#28
not to irritate anybody.. but it will...
If your going to a ROAR race, you might want to brush up on rule 5.2.6 in the rule book.
5.2.6 Any material used to add weight to a vehicle in order to comply with the minimum weight requirements for the class must be securely attached to the vehicle chassis. If such ballast falls off the vehicle during a race for any reason, and the vehicle is under weight at the post race inspection, the vehicle will be disqualified for that run. For all fuel classes, chassis weights must be securely mounted with solid mechanical fasteners such as bolts or screws.
If your going to a ROAR race, you might want to brush up on rule 5.2.6 in the rule book.
5.2.6 Any material used to add weight to a vehicle in order to comply with the minimum weight requirements for the class must be securely attached to the vehicle chassis. If such ballast falls off the vehicle during a race for any reason, and the vehicle is under weight at the post race inspection, the vehicle will be disqualified for that run. For all fuel classes, chassis weights must be securely mounted with solid mechanical fasteners such as bolts or screws.
01-16-2008, 08:39 AM
#29
Ah, interesting. That can be a challenge given the limited space around a battery for adding weight. I run weights shoe good to the bottom of my flat pack more to keep it locked into the battery slots than for overall weight. In my opinion, it actually improves safety since it goes a long way toward preventing the pack from being ejected during a crash. Check the bottom of this page to see what I mean.
01-16-2008, 08:44 AM
#30
Ah, interesting. That can be a challenge given the limited space around a battery for adding weight. I run weights shoe good to the bottom of my flat pack more to keep it locked into the battery slots than for overall weight. In my opinion, it actually improves safety since it goes a long way toward preventing the pack from being ejected during a crash. Check the bottom of this page to see what I mean.
oh, I agree...
but adding weigth to the pack itself changes your center of gravity and is a pure advantage in handling.. we all know that....
Not saying the rule is accurate in today's methods.. but it is there and has been for at least three years.