Sirs

I am an avid fisherman and have for many years been making my own Sinkers and many for many clubs, I have all correct breathing and personal protective items and dress and have access to a few acres to do this on.

My question is this i purchased my Sinker moulds a long time ago when Pt Pirie was trying to boost sales and selling ( very cheaply i may say) very good quality sinker moulds and these i still use.

However my style of fishing has changed over the years and i have had no luck in finding a manufacturer of lead moulds. would your people know of such a business large or small in Australia? I am seeking a 1 kilo or 2 lb lead moulds.

Also you may wish to advise your readers that old car batteries can be traded for old tyre balance leads of equal weight at most recyclers. the cleaner lead in the balance tabs is less dangerous (fumewise) that the acid coated depleted and impure lead in most car batteries ( car battery lead is often tainted with mercury compounds which has a lower gas point than lead and is very toxic and low doses have long term health worries) the old saying is true lead will kill a idiot but mercury will kill everyone if they are not 100% careful.

Dear Mr. Johnson,

We appreciate your having contacted us and apologise for taking so long to get back to you.

We have searched and called up a number of companies such as Zinifex and Consolidated Alloys (in 3 states) have not found a supplier for the moulds you need.

We however suggest that you use non-lead sinkers, which are just as effective and do not have the long term effect of building lead deposits in fishing sites.

You could contact Aquarium Monsters on 03 9741 9465, mob 0418 717 033 and Email Sales:; and their website: www.aquariummonsters.com.au also FSW fishing sinkers are available for worldwide distribution on ebay [http://shop.ebay.com.au/jbek1/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25 ] and have a specially formulated outer durable polymer coating (patent pending) which has the health benefit of very little or no handling contact with lead.

Thanks for giving us the permission to publish your query because we shall shortly publish the information that you have given us on Lead in Lead-acid batteries.

With best regards,

Patrick Mugo Muraguri

Volunteer Information Officer