How to Melt a Sinker

If you are like most anglers, you probably have accumulated lots of extra lead sinkers in your tackle box or workshop. Instead of tossing them and buying different weights of sinkers, melt the old lead sinkers down, and use the metal for new sinkers or other hobby projects. Lead is one of the easier metals to safely melt and manipulate in a home workshop. Take care to wear safety gear as lead is highly toxic and gives off dangerous fumes.

Things You'll Need

  • Double boiler
  • Steel stirring rod
  • Mask
  • Leather work gloves
  • Goggles
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Instructions

    • 1

      Add water to the bottom pot of a double boiler and bring it to a boil. Put on a mask, goggles and rubber gloves.

    • 2

      Add the lead sinker or sinkers to the smaller pot of the double boiler and place it into the larger, letting the bottom make contact with the boiling water.

    • 3

      Stir the sinkers, and tip the inner pot, so the sinkers are along the edge and side of the pot as they begin to melt.

    • 4

      Continue stirring the melting lead with a steel stirring rod until the sinkers melt completely.