Tail Weight

Mal Bridgeman · January 10th, 2006, 10:21 AM

Hi All

At Stoney over the weekend I noticed a number of people using Tail weights and think that such a device would be ideal for me, meaning I could dispense with my weight belt

Does anyone or anywhere make these commercially?

If not, is there a kind soul who has a spare 3kg one for sale (ok it's a long shot), or someone who, for a fee could make me one? I have enough "spare" lead shot for it but the engineering ability of a banana.

Please PM if you can help.

Thanks
Mal

**jb2cool** · January 10th, 2006, 10:24 AM

tail weight? i have heard of V-weights but not seen a tail weight.

Mal Bridgeman · January 10th, 2006, 10:30 AM

Tail Weight is like a V-Weight...but instead of being positioned between the bands, it "hangs" from the lower bolt.

See here http://www.bitz.fsnet.co.uk/bitzweights.htm#tail for info.

Unfortunately the company mentioned on the site does not appear to trade anymore

Rgrds
Mal

***Bob Cooper*** · January 10th, 2006, 10:31 AM

You can get these at UE in Portland AFAIK or try www.dirdirect.com

Gary Moffat · January 10th, 2006, 11:49 AM

I can get tail weights made at work

Just need the lead.

It is a standard V type shape with a flat stainless steel bar inserted with lots of holes in to adjust the spacng required on your rig. (I will post photo later).

***EBT*** · January 10th, 2006, 01:12 PM

Mal,

Dont forget that a tail weight will also impact your trim, not just your overall weighting.....

movil · January 10th, 2006, 01:22 PM

If you want to save a few quid, you could try making them yourself.
All I did was get the dimensions from a friend who had bought a Halcyon one. Then I went to a metalworker worshop and asked to get the mold done (a simple V made out of stainless steel, 10 EUR). Then I melted the lead myself (this one was 3.5 kg), cut the pieces off where the weight sits on the bands and also drilled the holes for the bolts, and voila!

If you make a large enough mold you could then cut the resulting bar in 1,2,3 kg weights which will allow you to adjust for changes in buoyancy (e.g sea/fresh water).

IMHO there is no need to pay the exhorbitant prices they ask for this relatively-simple-to-make weight.

Movil

Ian S · January 10th, 2006, 02:07 PM

anyone know the dimensions for the cast?

Leigh u · January 10th, 2006, 02:36 PM

just use a peice of angle iron, or aluminum channel. Cut pieces of wood to block the ends and seal the gaps with plumbers putty.

Carefully melt lead wearing appropriate safety gear. Also use a small propane blow torch to help melt the lead on top. Before you pour the lead in to the channel..heat the channel first with the blow torch so the lead flows evenly.

I have made a pile of these for various uses and it is simple and makes you feel like a real hillbilly.

Ian S · January 10th, 2006, 03:19 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Leigh u)

just use a peice of angle iron, or aluminum channel. Cut pieces of wood to block the ends and seal the gaps with plumbers putty.

Carefully melt lead wearing appropriate safety gear. Also use a small propane blow torch to help melt the lead on top. Before you pour the lead in to the channel..heat the channel first with the blow torch so the lead flows evenly.

I have made a pile of these for various uses and it is simple and makes you feel like a real hillbilly.

What spacing should there be at the widest point in the V. Sorry these are stupid questions but one of the engineers at work said he'd made me a cast if I can give him the spec...

January 10th, 2006, 10:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mal Bridgeman(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 662	Tail Weight Hi All At Stoney over the weekend I noticed a number of people using Tail weights and think that such a device would be ideal for me, meaning I could dispense with my weight belt Does anyone or anywhere make these commercially? If not, is there a kind soul who has a spare 3kg one for sale (ok it's a long shot), or someone who, for a fee could make me one? I have enough "spare" lead shot for it but the engineering ability of a banana. Please PM if you can help. Thanks Mal __________________ Opinions and beliefs are correct at the time of posting but are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the author.

January 10th, 2006, 10:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
jb2cool (Online) Padawan learner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 796	tail weight? i have heard of V-weights but not seen a tail weight. __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com

January 10th, 2006, 10:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mal Bridgeman(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 662	Tail Weight is like a V-Weight...but instead of being positioned between the bands, it "hangs" from the lower bolt. See here http://www.bitz.fsnet.co.uk/bitzweights.htm#tail for info. Unfortunately the company mentioned on the site does not appear to trade anymore Rgrds Mal __________________ Opinions and beliefs are correct at the time of posting but are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the author.

January 10th, 2006, 10:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 680	You can get these at UE in Portland AFAIK or try www.dirdirect.com

January 10th, 2006, 11:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
Gary Moffat(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: East Lothian Posts: 120	I can get tail weights made at work Just need the lead. It is a standard V type shape with a flat stainless steel bar inserted with lots of holes in to adjust the spacng required on your rig. (I will post photo later).

January 10th, 2006, 01:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
*EBT*(Offline) Just another crouton... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 413	Mal, Dont forget that a tail weight will also impact your trim, not just your overall weighting.....

January 10th, 2006, 01:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
movil (Online) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spain Posts: 36	If you want to save a few quid, you could try making them yourself. All I did was get the dimensions from a friend who had bought a Halcyon one. Then I went to a metalworker worshop and asked to get the mold done (a simple V made out of stainless steel, 10 EUR). Then I melted the lead myself (this one was 3.5 kg), cut the pieces off where the weight sits on the bands and also drilled the holes for the bolts, and voila! If you make a large enough mold you could then cut the resulting bar in 1,2,3 kg weights which will allow you to adjust for changes in buoyancy (e.g sea/fresh water). IMHO there is no need to pay the exhorbitant prices they ask for this relatively-simple-to-make weight. Movil

January 10th, 2006, 02:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ian S(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NorthWest - UK Posts: 62	anyone know the dimensions for the cast?

January 10th, 2006, 02:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
Leigh u(Offline) We Go Down Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ottawa Canada Posts: 227	just use a peice of angle iron, or aluminum channel. Cut pieces of wood to block the ends and seal the gaps with plumbers putty. Carefully melt lead wearing appropriate safety gear. Also use a small propane blow torch to help melt the lead on top. Before you pour the lead in to the channel..heat the channel first with the blow torch so the lead flows evenly. I have made a pile of these for various uses and it is simple and makes you feel like a real hillbilly.

January 10th, 2006, 03:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ian S(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NorthWest - UK Posts: 62	Quote: (Originally Posted by Leigh u) just use a peice of angle iron, or aluminum channel. Cut pieces of wood to block the ends and seal the gaps with plumbers putty. Carefully melt lead wearing appropriate safety gear. Also use a small propane blow torch to help melt the lead on top. Before you pour the lead in to the channel..heat the channel first with the blow torch so the lead flows evenly. I have made a pile of these for various uses and it is simple and makes you feel like a real hillbilly. What spacing should there be at the widest point in the V. Sorry these are stupid questions but one of the engineers at work said he'd made me a cast if I can give him the spec...