Buying Scrap Stained Glass Lead - Advice

[BobKrohn]

First, I don't want to anger any gun friendly stained glass hobbyists out there.
But here is my experience.

I called around to local stained glass shops hoping to buy scrap pieces for casting.
One shop was happy to get rid of the scrap and everything was going along just fine.
Then the woman said she was curious and wanted to know what I needed it for.
"Casting" I said
"Casting what?" she said.
Against my better judgement but unable to curb my urge to be honest with people, I told her, "Casting bullets for my old-time blackpowder muzzleloading rifle"
I even mentioned the local Rendezvous and the art and crafts there.
Suggesting she might even find some customers for her work.

I think all she needed to hear was "rifle".

After several "missed appointments" and "I'm kinda busy right now", I can't get her to answer the phone or my emails to arrange buying the lead.

Advice - I may be wrong but I think a lot of the
Stained glass artisans (and other artsy/craftsy types)
would probably fit into the left of center area of political thought.
That's probably even more likely in my area which is Southern California.
Anyway, when asking around for lead or maybe other raw materials it's probably a good idea to no open your mouth too much.
You don't know "who" you are talking to.

Unrelated but similar reactions have occurred as I was sitting in a restaurant, relaxing and reading a large format Muzzleloading book with big pictures of guns on the front. Some feel compelled to make some weird remark.

I don't "need" these people and can get lead other places. Plenty of friendly, talented artisans at the Rendezvous.
Just some thoughts about something that disturbed me. And no I can't move. :yakyak:

 

[Zonie]

Yes, there are some people out there who have such a hatred of guns that they overreact to any mention of them. You had the misfortune to run into one of them.

With some of these "artsy craftsy " people you might find some that think casting antique style "toy soldiers" would be acceptable but the fact that they were "soldiers" would cause a similar negative reaction from a lot of them.

Even "casting sinkers" would set off the PITA people.

I guess fibbing a little and saying your using the lead to cast artistic paper weights might make them smile. No one has to mention that the paper weights are traveling at the speed of sound when they are put on the paper. :rotf:

 

[Tinker2]

Then the woman said she was curious and wanted to know what I needed it for.
"Casting" I said
"Casting what?" she said.


Advice - I may be wrong but I think a lot of the
Stained glass artisans (and other artsy/craftsy types)
would probably fit into the left of center area of political thought.

"Casting what?"

Spherical Sculptures?


Tinker2

 

[ohio ramrod]

It isn't just "artisans" so many people hear the work rifle or gun and right away they thing of gang warfare. Failing to consider that most muzzle loaders are also serious students of history. One of the local clubs in our area lost their lease to their grounds and it took them three years to find new grounds. They had at least five possible sites untill the owners discovered that they would be actually shooting the guns.

 

[cowpoke1955]

Hi Bob,
I was born and raised in California. My family moved there just before the gold rush. I had to wait to retire before I could move. Not only don't you know "who" you are talking to, but half the time you don't know "what" you are talking to :rotf: . They sure have a different view down here in Dixie. Heck, they even have TV commercials for gun stores here. You'll NEVER see that in California. Last batch of lead I bought was off of ebay. 50 pounds of soft lead for about $35.00. No people to hassle with.

 

[JJB22]

Heck, there is nothin wrong with you being honest about the use of the lead, I think if people want to be on the left, I take it upon myself to try to set them straight. I work around a ton of libs in my perfession and every once in a while people seek me out, usually in a back hall where their pals can't see them talking to this "gun nut" and ask me about what gun for this or that, what to start with, etc. I always treat them nicely and grin thinking I turned another one. :grin:

 

[worker11811]

Shoulda' said you are making "musket balls."
If she asked you what for, you should have told her you are a "historic firearms specialist."

You know... It's like calling somebody a "sanitation engineer" instead of "garbage man."

:wink: :haha:

 

[Many Klatch]

I guess the only "PC" answer would have been "I am making lead weights to rebuild an old double hung window". That would even be a "green" answer.

Many Klatch

 

[Billnpatti]

No one has to mention that the paper weights are traveling at the speed of sound when they are put on the paper.

Good one, Jim. I loved it.

 

[necchi]

"Diving Weights",,
"My friend the Marine Bioligst, is a bit over weight and needs quite a bit of weight to hold him down","what's that? His field of study? Oh, Dolphin Calfing in natural settings". He's trying to finish his thesis."

 

[Blizzard of '93]

my sister (one of 5 actually) does stained glass, she's sort of 'middle of the road' on guns. her son and I shoot sometimes (pistols) and she did let me talk her into a .25acp Beretta for h-d use.
that scrap isn't pure lead anyway, it's invariably mixed with the solder they use.
would be ok for pistol slugs I suppose.

 

[Semisane]

You might try telling her that you use it to plug the barrels of guns by hammering it down the bore - let her draw her own conclusions.

 

[Allan Gray]

Funny, I have a stained glass artist down the road about 5 miles from me. I've often thought to ask him for scraps but hesitated because I'm not sure that I want to advertise to my neighbors that I make "ammunition".

Up here in the redwood forest we mostly have 2 types, the eco-nazi tree huggers and those that harvest from the forest, be it lumber or game...not too much in the middle.

I like the ideas of putting a "green" label on your request...come in under the radar :wink:

 

[willpond]

I do a lot of stained glass work and can tell you this: Most often the solder used will be 60/40 and sometimes 50/50 tin/lead mix. Lead came used to hold the glass pieces has a higher lead than tin content (not sure of exact mix, depends on country of origin) it is often very dirty and will contain "window putty", common dirt, oxidation, etc. Be very careful of the white oxidation, it will cause lead poisioning and you should use a mask, and gloves while handling this type lead. Just tell your supplier you are going to recycle the lead for them! By the way, I cast 90% of my balls with this type lead and it works just fine! Have fun, but be careful and safe!