Looking for a set of ASK-21 ballast weights

Our club (SLSA) has an ASK-21 that did not come with any front cockpit ballast weights (the lead triangles, and the 2 "bolts" that hold them in place under the pilot's knees).

If anyone knows of a set lying around unused, please let me know.

Thanks in advance,

Kirk
66

Look for a local foundry that can cast lead. Make a piece of wood in the correct shape and they can make a set for half the original price from AS.

On Friday, May 8, 2015 at 2:48:19 PM UTC-4, Per Carlin wrote:
Look for a local foundry that can cast lead. Make a piece of wood in the correct shape and they can make a set for half the original price from AS.

I use plaster to make molds, then melt lead fishing weights to make "weights". In this case, I would make a "wood blank" with the required dimensions (allowing a slight taper on the sides for a draft angle, lay the blank on a flat smooth surface (narrow side of the draft angle up)and pour plaster over the top of it & let harden. The draft angle eases removing the lead bit later & the mold should last for a number of casts.
In Kirk's place, he just needs the dimensions so he knows how big to make the mold (including depth).

On Friday, May 8, 2015 at 1:02:29 PM UTC-4, kirk.stant wrote:
Our club (SLSA) has an ASK-21 that did not come with any front cockpit ballast weights (the lead triangles, and the 2 "bolts" that hold them in place under the pilot's knees).

If anyone knows of a set lying around unused, please let me know.

Thanks in advance,

Kirk
66


Kirk,

Did you ever get your weights or cast your own?

Our club had a 112 pound club member and we needed weights. We cast our own and, back in 1/5/2012, I posted instructions on how we did the casting. You could cast your own, or as Per Carlin posted, you could pay a foundry to cast two weights for you.

Back when I did the casting, it was possible to obtain lead ingots from a plumbing supply company. I don't know if that is still possible, but with the advent of the US Post Office "if it fits, it ships" policy, you can now buy lead on ebay.

Each of the original 12 factory weights weigh 1 kilo. Since we have 2 ASK21s, we needed two sets of weights. The first time, we cast one 2" weight and two 1" weights. On the second batch, I decided that we did not need the fine resolution of 3 kilos, so I cast two 2" weights. The 2" thick weights came out to 6 kilos each.

If you want a pattern for either your own casting or for a foundry, email me directly with your address and I will mail one to you.