Dead Blow Hammer

[Richard in Smithville]

I was reading an article about making a dead blow hammer. The author suggested that it be filled with lead shot. I was wondering if filling with dry sand would have the same result?

[JR]

That's a pretty good idea. Lead shot can actually be hard to find these days, so some alternative will need to be found.

I was lucky enough to dig a bag out my friend's father's garage, but the local gun shop was no help.

JR

[chopnhack]

The replacement for bird shot (tungsten i think) is pretty dense and non-toxic to boot. Should be fairly equivalent. A common shotgun shell reloading supply, I would think any full line carrying gun store should have it.

[shoottx]

Richard

I have a couple of tons of lead shot in the shop, stop by and I will give you enough for the dead blow.

The reason for the lead shot suggestion is the density of lead. As you substitute other material it takes more space for the same weight. So any substitution either changes the size of the cavity for filling or lightens the final product.

Find a local shotgun shooting facility and they can point you toward a reloading supplier that would have lead shot.

[cabinetman]

How about a bunch of small sinkers?
.

[182much]

How about a bunch of BB"s?

[jackellis]

That's a pretty good idea. Lead shot can actually be hard to find these days, so some alternative will need to be found.

In the (these days not-so) Golden State, I believe there's a ban on lead shot because it ends up in dead birds and wildlife that are eaten by various raptors that are protected. California Condors for one.

[steve-norrell]

Shooting supply stores sell "extra heavy sand" for filling the leather bags used for rifle rests. Its reported to be at least 1/3 again as dense as "sandbox sand". It is a little pricey, but non-toxic. Here's a link:

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/...D-1&type=store

Regards, Steve

[JimD]

Lead shot may be more rare in larger sizes used for waterfowl shooting (usually #4 or bigger) but is still common around here in smaller sizes used for quail, turkey, partridge, etc.. It comes in 25 lb bags around here. I have some #7 1/2, my favorite for quail. You cannot use lead for waterfowl but at least in most areas, lead is still fine for upland game.

I just buy dead blow hammers from Harbor Freight, however. The neon ones so not seem to leave a mark like the black sometimes will.

Jim

[pecker]

Harbor Freight has a whole range of dead blow hammers, the most expensive being $12.
I'm curious why you would bother to manufacture one. Is there something really special about the one you are making?
http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...blow&Submit=Go

[iceman61]

If you are making a dead blow hammer, I wouldn't even consider sand. The bulk density is far less than lead. Lead shot can still be found at most hunting supply stores if they sell shell reloaders. I don't know if you have a Gander Mountain near you but they sell lead shot. I'm not sure if Cabela's does or not.

Chopnhack is onto something with Tungsten as an alternative. It's bulk density is 1.8 times higher than lead. Here is a link to a place that sells Tungsten in various sizes although I would stick to the disks, spheres or granules if you go that route. Dollar wi$e I would stick with lead.

http://www.pinewoodextreme.com/produ...oduct=Tungsten

[cgallery]

How about gold?

-- Bill Gates

[Black wallnut]

If you can't find lead try to find bizmuth shot, kinda pricey though. The suggestion of BB's may work if they are only copper plated. It seems to me that the ones my son plinks away are lighter than lead but I could be wrong. As stated in many states lead shot is still available but the OP lives north of the border so what's available here does not really matter. The question I have for ya Richard is why not lead shot? Do you not want to buy a 25# bag or is it simply just not available up north? If it is a matter of not wanting to buy the volume then consider calling your local shooting club and asking if they could hook you up with a few keys of shot. Perhaps one of your local trap or skeet ranges has mined their range for shot lately and has numerous 55 gal barrels of it to get rid of.

[Uncle Cracker]

How about gold?

-- Bill Gates

Outdated... Depleted uranium is the shizznit...

[Alex Franke]

Outdated... Depleted uranium is the shizznit...

I would also avoid mercury, black powder, and flesh-eating nanobots. I like c-man's sinker idea -- even though I originally read it as "snickers" (as in tiny candy bars).