Unstable 9 #1 February 17, 2011 Hey Folks, I'm making myself a new set of packing weights, and designing them how I want them. a. Obnoxious Orange with exaggerated tails to be impossible to miss.... b. Short and fat, to help control the crown of a round canopy better than the standard dimensions So I build them, and then take my crisp clean $20 bill to go buy some lead shot. Get to the reloading store, and come to find that lead shot is apparently made of Unicorn Blood or something because it's damn near the price of gold. Does anybody have any good ideas for packing weight alternate fillers?=========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #2 February 17, 2011 QuoteDoes anybody have any good ideas for packing weight alternate fillers? Sand or pea gravel? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aliencico 0 #3 February 17, 2011 Dear Sir, Due environmental restrictions, and "green" policies, all the lead shot is "almost" forbidden. In Europe we use stainless steel ball bearings. Choose the proper size, and fill your packing weights. You will find easily at any industrial hardware store. If You have difficult to obtain them, you can try lead shot, with the new "environment friendly" jacket (Covered with Copper, or Zinc), or may ask for Stainless Steel shot at your gun store. Try at www.cabelas.com (USA based) Hoping to have helped you, Juan Fraile Military Parachute Rigger (ret.) Barcelona, Spain, February, 17th, 2011 Juan Fraile-Nuez Military Parachute Rigger (ret.) Spain, Europe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstable 9 #4 February 17, 2011 QuoteSand or pea gravel? I made some with sand ones once, but found that as they wore out (used a double needle machine with about 12 Stitches per inches the sand started dribbling out the sides ~ which I wasn't thrilled with.=========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstable 9 #5 February 17, 2011 QuoteDue environmental restrictions, and "green" policies, all the lead shot is "almost" forbidden. That's what I ran into ~ I asked the shopkeep told me that more than 1/2 the price (each bag was about $49 USD) was shipping and handling. Quote In Europe we use stainless steel ball bearings Thats a Bingo! Thank you!=========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #6 February 17, 2011 Depleted Uranium is pretty dense too... Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #7 February 17, 2011 For packing, do they really need to be that heavy? It's not like were trying to increase fall rate, just hold down and control the gear while packing. Pea gravel, dried corn or peas or beans - pretty much anything round and smooth that won't rot or cut through the fabric and of a size that allows the bag to lie smooth. My wife stopped making weight belts because the shot prices skyrocketed (tripled over the course of a year) a couple years ago. She only does it now if the customer provides their own shot. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstable 9 #8 February 17, 2011 QuoteFor packing, do they really need to be that heavy? No, but I would like at least 2 heavier than normal ones to help control the crown of a round reserve ~ just a personal preference...=========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdthomas 0 #9 February 17, 2011 QuoteQuoteFor packing, do they really need to be that heavy? No, but I would like at least 2 heavier than normal ones to help control the crown of a round reserve ~ just a personal preference... hey sexy man, I have afew packing weights that you can have. Next time you are in KC stop by the house and take home some of this extra rigging stuff that i have in the basement. xoxo and tell your wife to stop being jealous about us ;)www.greenboxphotography.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreefdiver 0 #10 February 17, 2011 look for some old ankle weights at garage sales and thrift stores.. I got about 20#'s this way DS#727, DB Cooper #41, POPS #11065, SCR #13183, FA #2125, SCS #8306, HALO #309 SRA #5930 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstable 9 #11 February 17, 2011 Quotehey sexy man, I have afew packing weights that you can have. Next time you are in KC stop by the house and take home some of this extra rigging stuff that i have in the basement. xoxo and tell your wife to stop being jealous about us ;) Thanks Joe! We do need to play parachutes sometime... I'll be in KC off and on for the next few weeks...=========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #12 February 17, 2011 Go to a shooting club with a skeet, trap, or sporting clays range and ask if they have "reclaimed shot". It will be of mixed sizes but it will also be about 1/3rd the cost.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 2,246 #13 February 17, 2011 Yes, lead shot is expensive, nearly $2 a pound. If you live in the USA you can order it here: http://www.rotometals.com/Lead-Shot-s/64.htm I just can't seem to make it "clicky" Ken GowlerAlways remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #14 February 18, 2011 depending on how much you need, you can use old pressed lead seals... I have around 2 pounds that my co-rigger has kept over the years. also you can check the weights they use for scuba ( not the "hard" ones, they also use now lots of weight pockets which are pretty similar to packing weights. You just need to add the fancy color.scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #15 February 18, 2011 What did you do with the shot in the old bags? Less than $5 a pound and free shipping. Sparky http://www.cabelas.com/product/Ballistic-Products-Nickel-Plated-Lead-Shot/731835.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fcompare_items.jsp%3FcategoryIds%3D%26productId%3D731835%26productId%3D741447%26productId%3D740959My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #16 February 18, 2011 Quote Quote Sand or pea gravel? I made some with sand ones once, but found that as they wore out (used a double needle machine with about 12 Stitches per inches the sand started dribbling out the sides ~ which I wasn't thrilled with. How about sealing in plastic first? I hope you had more than a sewing machine to work with . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
longtall 0 #17 February 18, 2011 isnt bismith shot used for wet-land hunts? Could you use bismith shot ?" 90 right, five miles then cut."---Pukin Buzzards Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstable 9 #18 February 18, 2011 This afternoon I'm heading to the hardware store to seek out some steel bearings ~ I'll let everyone know how that turns out.=========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ripcord4 0 #19 February 18, 2011 Why do need to "control" the crown of a round reserve? I don't understand what the problem is. I have packed many a round reserve over the years and never had a problem with the apex area. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #20 February 18, 2011 We have a LOT of old timers quitting. So there's a supply of weight VESTs out there in skydiving. Vests suck (vs belts) so they are out there and no one wants them. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #21 February 18, 2011 Quote We have a LOT of old timers quitting. So there's a supply of weight VESTs out there in skydiving. Vests suck (vs belts) so they are out there and no one wants them. I want one to fly my wingsuit scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #22 February 19, 2011 Some riggers use giant clamps. You can make your own out of wooden packing paddles and clipboards. If you are a military rigger, you will have to tie them to the table to prevent yourself from leaving them in a closed reserve. Hah! Hah! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstable 9 #23 February 19, 2011 QuoteWhy do need to "control" the crown of a round reserve? I don't understand what the problem is. I have packed many a round reserve over the years and never had a problem with the apex area. Who said there was a problem? I just want to make a new set a little shorter and fatter than the ones I previous had...I too pack round reserves very regularly, just a preference..=========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martini 0 #24 February 20, 2011 Have you asked for steel shot? I haven't reloaded for years but that was the cheap alternative to lead when lead shot began to be outlawed. Bismuth, tungsten etc are bound to be more $ than plain ole steel.Sometimes you eat the bear.............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,425 #25 February 20, 2011 Hi Unstable, A couple of months ago I had the same problem; thought that shot would be easy to get. Ended up locating a shooting range & they gave me used shot for free. Find one & call them, JerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
