What materials can you use for weights?
So I'm new to modding for actual races. I've done custom paint jobs before (turned a '67 Dodge Nova into a Bluesmobile for one) but what kind of things should I use to add weight to the car for speed? I saw a video on the mechanics of the subject but it didn't say anything about materials.
Any help would be appreciated.
Discussion
I started out using lead fishing weights but now I use 1/4 oz wheel weights. They are very easy to shape with a belt sander. Caution they get very very hot sanding or grinding on them. They are less toxic than lead too. Always a plus.
If I have the room, I use pennies. Otherwise, I have used whatever will fit in the space I have: steel nuts, washers, bolts, BB's, and small pinewood derby tungsten weights. I don't really want to use lead, even though it is readily available, considering that all this time was spent getting lead out of paint and children's toys and here we are trying to put it back in. In general, if it fits inside the chassis when I close it up, I use it.
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i use just about anyything that fits in the car... but use alot of fishing weights and wheel weights that i bought at habor frieght.... just got some copper pellets that im gonna melt down and put into a mold into sand for the shape id want
Imagine a casting of a car made of silver? Talk about heavy. Chassis and all!
- And expensive !!!!! Lol — RAGTAG_JIM
- There IS an actual Rolls Royce owned by Saudi Arabian oil tycoon that really is made of .928 sterling silver. No kidding. — SpyDude
- Hahaha I don't dought that one bit — RAGTAG_JIM
Tungsten works quite well, can get in cubes, bars and putty:
I work at an auto repair shop in one of the 38 states where lead wheel weights aren't banned. I used to use dusty, greasy used iron/steel weights (most shops use iron/steel and not lead) from old tires but I was able to get thousands of actual lead weights for wholesale pricing. They slap. The first casting I used for them, smoked all of my other demos so far. I'll be using it as one of my host team cars in my NASCAR racing league.
- Good one. They have great sizes thast fir well, if they are like the weights downunder. — CutRock_R_Marc_D
Fishing weights (lead), wheel weights (also lead), I like the pennies idea. Tiny bird shot is an idea I haven’t tried. I’ve thought of breaking apart a car battery, battery terminals are lead also. It all depends what you have available. I have used straight JBWeld top to bottom. Not cheap but that car turned out good.
....hmmm, pennies.
I've always subscribed to the theory that anything and everything is extra weight! When I started modding, I would often just glue pennies together and squeeze them in.
You can browse the Weights & Physics listings for more related topics.
I've used Pinewood Derby weights before and currently have a ton of wheels weights (used on real cars) that I can pile in a car. Tungsten is the heaviest extra weight but it can be a little most costly. Some guys have used bb's too...just whatever you can find and think will work for your build.
I've found clay/putty to be useful too. Not overly heavy but good to squeeze into nooks and crannies to balance out the weight.
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