The Tool Everyone Needs in Their Shop | Gravity Clamps

In this video, I am making more of my Gravity Clamps. This is a tool that most people overlook when setting up their shop. Standard clamps are great, but can only reach so far into the work being laminated, for example.
I also needed to make a variety of sizes for the weights and came up with a easier to move solution for a handle on the largest weight.
When I did the original video almost a 8 years ago, I used the 2001 Space Odyssey Theme, "Also sprach Zarathustra" as an attempt at humor. In an effort to remove any strikes from my channel, I am going to remove it eventually. Until then, here is the link to the original....
Rigid Gravity Clamps | • Rigid Gravity Clamps |...
I will also review the new updated ClearLight 2.0 Welding Helmet from Miller. I used a Helmet Cam to give you a POV video!
I will be using the Miller, Multimatic 220, provided by Miller for use in this video along with all of the required PPE. Thank you Miller for your continued support! #MillerPartner, #MillerWelders
*Multimatic® 220 AC/DC*
www.millerweld...
e=youtube&
*Digital Infinity™, Relic, Clearlight 2.0*
www.millerweld...
finity-relic-clearlight-2-0-288722?
n_oltrogge
If you are interested some other easy welding project plans, please visit my website: www.grunblau.com/
Thank you Okomod Ideas, for use of the shop...
www.okomodidea...

[@imacracker515]

This is one of those channels I'll never unsubscribe. Absolutely love the through handle. Its a mix of art with tools. And I love that.

[@Grunblau]

Thank you! I mostly subscribe to channels that DON’T post all the time… this is how I make sure not to miss anything! Handle works great and I hope there might be another use for the same detail in some future project. 🤔

[@gusbisbal9803]

Really? have you built one? I mean you love it right? So.... you made a couple or did you just use clamps because they work better. Applauding someones fancy work and you copying it is the difference between agreeing on its effectiveness and just wanting to look like you think its a great idea.

[@DeweyKentM]

I used to hate the feeling of, “now why didn’t I think of that?” But now I’ve grown to love seeing simplistic ideas in action, even if I didn’t come up with them. An integrated, hollow handle, just like a gallon of milk! “Another jug of lead, sir!”

[@Grunblau]

With age, I am more open to integrate other’s ideas. I think maturity is partly just ability to pull ideas from everywhere and keep you eyes open to novel ideas that you can tweek. You are correct, this inspiration came from a milk jug :)

[@JDeWittDIY]

The handle on the corner with the tubing inside is a brilliant design! I love it.

[@rickeldridge8227]

I have to say that’s the nicest set of shop weights I’ve ever seen. So glad your back to making videos.

[@jdmccorful]

Ditto! Enjoyed.

[@NoName-zn1sb]

you're back

[@tinman7551]

Another absolutely amazing project, built to impeccable standards. 😊🥰👍🏻

[@Grunblau]

Thanks 👍

[@bulldozer7656]

We missed all your brilliant idea's and work!¡

[@Grunblau]

Thank you!

[@sammorris2721]

This is what you call QUALITY content, and proper welding. Excellent Execution and Fabrication skills good sir!

[@Grunblau]

Thank you very much!

[@RedHillian]

I remember the original, and being delighted at the "ride-along" mode of having the phone in the helmet so we could really watch you weld. Works great here as well!

[@matthewprince6157]

that is wild that video got a strike. I remember when you put that video out. I've probably watched it 100 times lol. Glad you left a link so we can still watch it but the handle in this one blew my mind! awesome work!

[@Stiv1962]

really nice welding, you are a multi-disciplined artisan! Good job!

[@zulubravo9434]

I love your attention to detail.

[@Grunblau]

Thank you!

[@iteerrex8166]

“Australian for paper weight”, lol and good for warmup dumbbell curls too 😉

[@molitovv]

A thing of beauty is a joy forever

[@molitovv]

I bet that little weld hole bothers you though!

[@Grunblau]

I am happy to have now rediscovered this saying… Thank you!

[@joell439]

Stunning results. Love the handle.

[@Grunblau]

Thank you!

[@Vikingwerk]

Love the corner handle design.

[@Grunblau]

Thanks!

[@juscozcustoms]

Wow someone else that calls them gravity clamps! I must say that these are the nicest that I have seen and I have been using gravity clamps for 20 years the first one I used was a length of 100x100mm solid steel 500mm long called Kevin (because most of the time it sat in the corner doing nothing)

[@Grunblau]

That’s great, thank you!

[@terrydavis2552]

Your fit and finish is amazing!

[@Grunblau]

I look forward to when they get a little beat up! Thanks!

[@terrydavis2552]

@@Grunblau I should also mention that your MIG welds tend to look like TIG welds. How are you doing that?

[@FearsomeWarrior]

The original was how I found you and they’ve been on my project list for a long time. Great follow up.

[@mm9773]

8:22 I usually have enough clamps, but you can never have too many. I was skeptical about the title, but pretty much everybody will need a couple of weights at some point, that’s right. I took the easy route and bought a bunch of old cylindrical 10 kg weights with a knob-shaped handle at the top. The lady who sold them asked what I’d be using them for: “weights”, I said. Your shape is more versatile, though. Well done.

[@Grunblau]

I see so many people do a glue up with like 30 things including their shop stool. Only issue with these is that you can only carry 2 at a time.

[@MASI_forging]

Project is coming together nicely 👏👏

[@kmyerslp85]

Always happy to see a well shot, themed, and narrated video form you. Keep up the great content. ^_^

[@Grunblau]

Thanks!

[@12345.......]

The replacement music is fantastic

[@Grunblau]

Thanks! I’m open for any and all music deals, just hit up my DMs…

[@OnkelJann]

That‘s still awesome! Thanks for the great Inspiration! 😃🤙🏻

[@Grunblau]

Thanks! At least we know we will be able to keep your and my weights separate since you painted yours red! :)

[@PaulThomas-qo9vy]

Cool idea & they look much better than the rusty chunks of metal & concrete core samples I use!

[@beeman1885]

Great video. Very clean finish. Weights could double as hefty dumbbells.😂

[@Grunblau]

Yup. 6X6 tube might be a good starting point to just make longer. 4X4 for smaller weights and 3X3 for Jazzercise class.

[@marcisaacs9407]

They are beautiful. I use old sash weights and steel barbell plates.

[@Grunblau]

Thanks!

[@Visigoth_]

Those are just *AWESOME!*

[@Grunblau]

Thanks! I hope I made enough this time…

[@Visigoth_]

@@Grunblau never enough... 😉👍

[@boltonky]

Perplexed look until the end....ohh i get it now. Really smart idea and quite simple. Will also saw impressive welding

[@Grunblau]

Thank you! Trying to get better at TIG now…

[@travismiller5548]

A rare treat, your vids...

[@Grunblau]

Thank you!

[@nixie2462]

Long time no see! Glad to have you back.

[@Grunblau]

Have a few videos mostly shot. Waiting for KZbin to remember where they put my channel.

[@maxmaz2]

I do love the FOV and clarity of my digital infinity but for any sort of tight or out of position welding you really start to notice the size and weight. I have grown to really like my coworkers Optrel. It's so much lighter and closer to your face.

[@Grunblau]

I had an Optrel Vega View before this. Was okay. I liked that it didn’t look like the traditional welding helmet. The Vegaview was closer to the Clearlight 1.0.

[@CGT80]

The Optrel Crystal 2.0 is what I have been using for a few years and I agree the weight makes a huge difference. Due to neck problems, weight on my head is far more intense than it is for most people. My lightest helmet is the Miller Classic AD that came with my Miller 211 inverter mig. For a helmet that is sold for around a hundred dollars, it is great. I had a Miller Elite years ago but it died and it was also very heavy. My brother's miller digital elite is also far heavier than my optrel. The clarity and color with the Crystal 2.0 was impressive when I got it but I wasn't sure it made all that much difference. Well, I sent it in for a warranty issue and had to use the cheaper helmet. I was really missing the natural view and also having the shade control on the outside of the helmet. The X mode on the miller is good and that is not a feature on the optrel, so they have their own strong and weak points.

[@KRGraphicsCG]

Good to see you hard at work

[@rogersepulveda9871]

Always great to see something from you.

[@Grunblau]

Thank you!

[@poornachandra3447]

Always you do the best of best 👍

[@erikslagter3231]

Instant subscribe. Awesome video Mr Brian

[@Grunblau]

Thank you and welcome to the channel!

[@swampsidechronicles5822]

Nice design!

[@Grunblau]

Thanks!

[@leextac]

Subbed for the handles. Bravo Sir.

[@Grunblau]

Thanks and welcome to the channel!

[@pataxrider869]

Good Idea,👍 I think it can be improvised more to be a versatile Dumb bell at the same time as long as the lead is kept encapsulated tight inside the metal casing, preferably stainless steel case...

[@lythnic5536]

Absolutely beautiful. It's simple and super effective

[@Alanbataar]

Another Brian video. Outstanding. I like these, I use 3" OD x 4" solid steel drops that I buy from my local material supply place. I get them for $3~4 per lb. I clean them up in my lathe. Around here, in California, lead is a bad word because it will kill you in a variety of ways, and apparently California wants everyone to live forever. Anyway, it's something like $15/lb locally. I'd probably just use plain sand and call it good enough.

[@Grunblau]

Huh, internet says 40-50¢/lb. I generally expect to pay 50¢ for lead, $1 for Aluminum and $2 for brass as a starting point. Hopefully less if you get a recycler to give you their buy price first.

[@Alanbataar]

​@@Grunblau To be fair, that figure was for Linotype lead from the *one* vendor I could find within a 75 mile radius back at the beginning of the pandemic - reloading was going to be my pandemic hobby, so maybe prices have readjusted. Just out of curiosity, I googled Linotype Lead, which Amazon sells, and it's $32 for 5 lbs which is $6.40/lb.

[@Youtubehandlesaresilly]

@@Alanbataarrotometals or online buyers are generally cheaper - and definitely no need for linotype for a project like this one.

[@db0nn3r]

Awesome channel man. Side note, I’ve always enjoyed your voiceovers on “how it’s made” as well.

[@Grunblau]

Ha! Thanks!

[@rhiesa3945]

Have you ever tried using vacuum bags to clamp large objects? If you're doing panels or thin sheet laminations you'd be getting 1800 pounds per square foot of clamping force with a perfectly even force distribution. Can usually get into it with around $300 of starting equipment

[@Grunblau]

This is something I want to get more into in the future! Usually, I am laminating sheets simply for stock for the CNC so really not that critical.

[@andrewgalbreath2101]

That handle looks beautiful! And I was not expecting you to use the term mall ninja lol

[@Grunblau]

Thanks! I’ll put them next to my Katana and throwing stars…

[@evanhoozier]

as always great work

[@Vassenden_yt]

The original video of you making these weights is how I found your channel. Been loving it ever since

[@Grunblau]

Crazy 6-7 years ago... Feels like 30. Interesting to know it was your first. I think most people find the channel via the 5k subscriber plaque video. Hope to keep dropping new videos now and then!

[@Khether0001]

I can't believe they copyright striked that video, it was actually one of my favorites!

[@Grunblau]

Back in the olden days… YT didn’t provide a song library for your videos. Also, very few people monetized them. So you really had no idea until you monetized and got a violation. I have three videos with issues, this one, The one where the Platform CNC takes its first 3D cuts to the sound of Dave Brubeck’s “Take 5” and the Drag Knife video (although I am not sure why).

[@R3V0LV3R45]

My dad always said “If you need to grind your welds, you’re not a welder, you’re a grinder.” Just joking. Great to see this revisited.

[@Grunblau]

This is always playing in my head when I decide if I should grind or not. I am trying to get better at TIG. Some of those I’d keep!

[@camillosteuss]

Definitely not something i need, and with iron weights i already have for any steadying purposes, this would really make for a relatively wasteful project on my behalf, but i have to commend you on the masterfully done work... The weights look amazing, the welds and everything was done nicely and well, so my personal lack of use for the idea notwithstanding, this is a great project and the process was captured and explained in more than a representative manner! Great job! Dont take this as bitching, as im the osha enemy, but i hope you considered using a small respirator beneath that mask while welding the leaded tubes... That and a large full face respirator when you were melting the lead... I know this isnt tig, which is generally worse in regards to vaporizing low boiling point stuff, but mig despite its relatively cooler process likely did kick up some fumes as you were capping those tubes... Im actually glad to see you using lead, as its severely misrepresented as essentially a brother to dimethyl mercury, which it is not... Sure, its toxic, and its not great when brought into body in any way or amount, but its not a seriously lethal toxin... You really have to either be careless with it or make lead sugar and drink it to get fucked hard by lead... It is toxic, and enough so to warrant respect and caution when handling, but as said, there`s far worse stuff than a bit o`lead, unless its high speed lead projected from a powder burning implement towards your body, then a little bit of lead can be troublesome, but all jokes aside, dont breathe lead fumes, nor any metal fumes... Its just bad practice, and the reason why many great industrial resources are now either banned or regulated... Apart from that, all the best!

[@Grunblau]

I was wearing a respirator while melting the lead. I also usually use the half mask respirator under the welding hood when my IPhone isn’t in the way… thanks!

[@tdg911]

Really nice work! Metal workers or fabricators are just artists imho.

[@design8studio]

Wow, nice!

[@georgev.georgeson5300]

Very nice... and I like the new soundtrack better, by the way. 😊

[@Grunblau]

Thanks! Hope my performance has the same energy…

[@clemoniii]

Hmmm, might have to get some made at the shop

[@heyallenify]

Okay, I like the weights and am likely going to be building some. That helmet ad was effective as well, as my older Miller Classic isn't a bad hood, but distinctly poorer view area and clarity compared to the new tech...

[@Grunblau]

I sent them a short video of the first helmet cam. They suggested I give their new tech a shot! It is even better for TIG…. If you didn’t want to melt the lead, you can always just fill with shot.

[@smallshoptalk589]

WOW, very nice finish, YES, professionally done. New Sub here. I'll need to catch up on your vids.

[@Grunblau]

Awesome, hope you enjoy! Welcome to the channel!

[@smallshoptalk589]

@@Grunblau Thank you. and again, very clean and professional builds. No rusty scrap metal. I look forward to more. However, I have been busy with my own channel lately but I will check out more of your vids.

[@Subsonic-cd2en]

Nice shop weights and they definitely have their place - however, a single, relatively small clamp exerts more clamping force than all of those weights put together. For things like the plywood lamination, a vacuum bag would provide much, much more clamping pressure and very even pressure as well.

[@steveclark..]

How do you know that's true? Have you a link to back up your claims about a clamp being better than placing a weight? I'm not saying that you are wrong, just want to know how exactly that's been proven.

[@Subsonic-cd2en]

​@@steveclark.. Every clamp manufacturer lists the clamping force for their clamps. All parallel body clamps have clamping forces between 1200 and 1600 pounds. For a single clamp. And they aren't even the powerful clamps. Also, I didn't say that a clamp was *better* than placing a weight, I said it exerts more clamping force - and it absolutely does. There are rare occasions where weight makes sense, but they are pretty rare. Usually the answer is clamps, clamps with cauls, or a vacuum bag. For example, if you are trying to glue up 2 pieces of plywood that are 2 feet square, a vacuum bag would give you approximately 8,500 pounds of clamping pressure, in comparison to the 400 pounds from all these weights - which you'd struggle to even fit in that area. There's a reason why almost nobody has a selection of weights sitting around for clamping purposes.

[@steveclark..]

@@Subsonic-cd2en Interesting. I'm in the UK, I've never seen any figures given on clamps that I've bought. I've never really used weights to hold stuff together, I've used clamps.

[@Subsonic-cd2en]

@@steveclark.. Where do you buy your clamps? I'm aware of Axminster as a major woodworking retailer there in the UK. I just visited their site and every clamp I clicked on gave the clamping force down in the specifications - of course in kg rather than pounds. For example the Axminster HD parallel clamps have a clamping force of 710kg - or 1,562 pounds. The F style clamps have clamping forces between 150 and 550kg depending on the size of the clamp. Even the one handed bar clamps have 160kg of clamping force. I don't know that I've ever seen a clamp, other than some sort of specialty clamp maybe, that didn't state the clamping force. I'm sure that now you'll notice it all the time! Have a good day and happy clamping.

[@CGT80]

Those are really cool, but I would have a hard time melting down my precious metal and pouring it into steel tube to be capped off forever. I prefer to let my automated casting machine pour little weights between 124 grains and 270 grains each. Yes, that is much lighter than these weights, but they make quite an impact :)

[@Grunblau]

Yeah, lead might be considered precious at some point…. Near me (Michigan), they have an over supply.

[@tomnorman5461]

Am I the only one that still turns away from my monitor during welding scenes? Laughing at myself 😋

[@Grunblau]

Yeah, I squint for sure…

[@BigFarm_ah365]

It feels so dumb taking weights with you when you move, especially if they sit in a milk crate the entire time until you move again. Were those the lead pellets you made as a kid? I made lead worry stones.

[@Grunblau]

Those pellets were among the lead I bought at the salvage. We used the balls that we cast that weekend, I think. I have used my shop weights a lot. I had wished that I had more. Pain in the ass to move, for sure!

[@isaiahjackson5993]

Wish I could subscribe twice.

[@Grunblau]

I like to think a lot of people DO subscribe twice and that the channel is rapidly approaching 1/2 million subs but KZbin is misreading the sentiment of hitting the subscribe button twice. :). Thanks!

[@Pv2qso]

oh yeah !

[@keithviolette5870]

Did you used to narrate for "How It's Made"?

[@Grunblau]

Nope, but I get that a lot. Must be that I am originally from Montana and that narrator is Canadian?

[@keithviolette5870]

@@Grunblau Maybe that's it. You have a very similar style of narration. Great videos BTW, keep up the good work!

[@scott98390]

Where do you get your lead?

[@Grunblau]

Local scrap yard had a bunch of lead…. Those little cakes and the shot was from there. I’ve never really had a hard time finding lead. In my area, they are pulling it out of the ground by the ton. Be sure to ask how much they pay for lead before you ask to buy some from them!

[@InebriatedEngineer]

Mall ninja? 🤣 I'm familiar with the term, what does it mean in this context? 🍻

[@Grunblau]

I guess I just remembered seeing a lot of rainbow hardened steel throwing stars and butterfly knife handles.

[@InebriatedEngineer]

@@Grunblau Ahhh... makes sense. Typically when I hear (or use) the term, it refers to someone who gets fully decked out in tacti-cool gear: MOLLE vest, BDU's, hip holster, etc... and then goes to hang out at the shopping mall.🍺

[@jestermetalworks]

Genius!

[@violettownmicroenterprises1528]

I think thats great however, Id like to see more flexability such as 10kg lead balls loose in a canvas bag as well

[@Grunblau]

I got you fam :). Flexible Leather Weights | Soft leather shot bags for the shop kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2jdgqdqZrJkjNU

[@1320crusier]

also good for working out..xD

[@Grunblau]

Lunges especially! :)

[@MM-24]

Wow these came out super clean, great testament to a good idea executed well btw, what software did you use to generate that animation at @1:29 ? looks cool

[@Grunblau]

Thank you! Frame by frame Rhino3D then illustrator…

[@Argosh]

If you showed me those I'd probably first go judgemental on you for buying premium tools 😂

[@SeanMacClanahan]

Lot of effort there buddy... I use yard sale dumbells or kettlebells... ain't as pretty but I didn't spend a day in the shop making them.

[@lohikarhu734]

400 pounds of lead costs a bit, no? Helmet window technology looks mighty nice... but, for a 'hobbyist' welder, who is not a dentist or lawyer, $455 US is a bit of a stretch, sadly... esab helmets, in Europe, run about €300, 3M, all the way to over €2000, with forced, filtered air...

[@lumotroph]

Cool projects - but so much advertising 😅

[@Grunblau]

Yeah… I get it. Even before any company sponsored one of my videos, I always called out what I am using…. I watch Adam Savage’s videos with my finger on the pause button just because he has soo many cool tools. Thanks!

[@Inadharion]

That's cool and all, but metric. International audience. How is this so hard?

[@_Turbocat777]

adding the lens to your filming camera is kinda ingenious, hope more metal smiths on YT pick this up.

[@natarem]

This guy is the best youtuber who rarely uploads. Every video delivers though.

[@Grunblau]

Awe shucks, thank you!

[@notanimposter]

You make the coolest stuff out of tube. Guess it’s called you Tube for a reason!

[@Grunblau]

I never made that connection before, lol!

[@CreaseysWorkshop]

That's a brilliant video.

[@MarcsYoutube]

This puppies would even qualify as little sculptures! So pretty.

[@madwilliamflint]

Yeah that's a great idea right there.

[@shemwayman1146]

VERY GOOD VIDEO, THANK YOU.

[@AlphaBobFloridaOverlord]

Outstanding Craftsmanship! Thank you!

[@Grunblau]

Thank you very much!

[@acheeseburger7367]

Great video as always, probably one of my favorite channels. Where do you get your lead? And how much was it? I haven’t been able to find scrap lead local and what I have found is quite pricey

[@Grunblau]

Thanks! I usually go to a metal recycler. Trick is to say… “What are people getting these days for lead scrap?” When they give you a low ball price thinking you are selling. They will have to explain why they want more if you are buying. 50¢ to about 75¢ a pound I think is about right these days.

[@acheeseburger7367]

@@Grunblau great advice. Only really been able to find it from retailers for 2$ a pound. Then I just have to make your lead dripper.

[@mr.redacted1441]

Very impressive brother! New subscriber!

[@Grunblau]

Hey thanks! Welcome!

[@redwhiteandbluebonnets8180]

Hahahaha, best opening ever! Ok, so, where did you get all the lead? I can order lead, and have done, but shipping it is... uhm.... not cheap.

[@Grunblau]

There was I place I ordered counter weights that your order was broken up into flat rate shipping boxes. So 10 bars would fit, but if you ordered 11, your shipping costs doubled and you might as well get 9 more to make it worthwhile.

[@redwhiteandbluebonnets8180]

@@Grunblau Counterweights? What for? So I can search for them...

[@evbunke2]

The medium and smaller ones could easily have handles on the ends too, if you just weld the cap down inside the tube rather than flush. Round off the tube walls and boom, handles you can grab from both ends.

[@Grunblau]

Yup, this is an excellent idea!

[@satyajitO3Wall]

If you do this and use the weights in a vertical orientation, the edges will imprint into the material below, especially if it's soft like foam or sapwood

[@ss22076]

Brilliant idea however I see some chances you’re going to need to clean the weight…not sure how the coating will stay nice.

[@Grunblau]

I kinda hope they get some shop patina on them…. The first set I made I did liquid tool black followed by clear lacquer. They held up alright although the tool black turned a bit warm over the years.

[@ss22076]

@@Grunblau good to hear so hopefully no rust develops

[@LerrySanders]

I dont care if this is an ad for MIller or not, its always a treat when you upload a new video.

[@Grunblau]

Thanks! Since I don’t have a Patreon account or do 30 second ad reads for Wizards of the Coast, this is a viable option for me to be able to afford tools that I would otherwise not have access to. I approached Miller during the first Koi Pond Fountain video and they were happy to work together. I told them that I was a “fan of the brand.” They are very easy to work with and I am happy to talk about any of their tools as everyone already knows they are top notch. If I started a Patreon, I would hope to do away with any and all ads on the main channel including breaks. I would dedicate all of the files, plans, etc… to members. But this feels exclusionary when I really just want to have fun and have show and tell help to pay for my hobbies :)

[@LerrySanders]

@@Grunblau Thats great to hear. Honestly videos like this aren't that bad, even if they are paid because you are not whoring them off. You are building something cool, in your unique way, and just so happen to say I'm using this miller stuff in the process. I selfishly wish you would upload more videos but I 100% understand why you don't. Take care and I look forward to the next tone.

[@swolebro]

Am I the only one who uses dumbbells and kettlebells? Just make sure to do you workout for the day before you do your glue set-up and you're golden.

[@TroyeStonich]

Dude, only you can make a seemingly trite tool look like a work of art. Amazed as always...

[@bartthatcher5799]

Awesome project!!!

[@Grunblau]

Thank you!

[@DrunkenDemon]

The amazing part for me is the way you use the materials according to its dimensions. When you see it it makes so much sense. Thank you! :)

[@VinceLoschiavo]

Is it just me or does this remind you of an episode of "How It's Made"? :) Love it!

[@UtahDelaCruz]

When the “How It’s Made” narrator moonlights as a Maker.

[@diane-mn8ou]

Very good display of machines and usage

[@Fahnder99]

Isn't gravity infinite free energy? Great idea to tap it!

[@CypherAod]

How's that canoe coming along?

[@boryscholewinski4370]

Might seem simple, but it's actually elegant and we'll thought out

[@Grunblau]

Thank you!

[@mthiessen134]

Made my day to see another video from you Brian. As always… brilliant

[@Grunblau]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@machinist7230]

An alternative to melting lead to fill the tubing is to use fine birdshot(ideally using something like #11 "dust shot"), albiet at somewhat less density than melting would provide.

[@Grunblau]

True! Interestingly, adding different sizes of shot result in a denser fill. Seems counterintuitive, but the same % void content exists no matter what size (ignoring the edge of the container). So if you put some big chunks in there, and then your dust shot, you’ll maximize weight!

[@sarielcoronado7984]

​@@Grunblauvery interesting observation!

[@SergeiPetrov]

Lead price?

[@Grunblau]

Stopped by a recycling center… something around 75¢ to $1

[@MatthewHarrold]

I found a bunch of diving weights in an elderly relatives home after they passed on, I put them in MDF enclosures and used them as gravity clamps, and also had some decommissioned artillery shells my eldest son brought back from the Aussie war museum in grade 6. I now have 6 unusually weighty artefacts I use in lieu of regular clamps for flat surface glue ups and many other reasons. Some of the diving weights are missed as door stoppers and such, but now they are encased in 19mm thick MDF and less likely to make my grandkids morons. $0.02