I don’t know how I ever got along without them! These weighted cloth “Bean Bags” can be classified as quality multi-purpose tools. Use them to weigh down sheeting, hold parts in odd positions, act like wheel chocks, as extra hands, etc. Their use is endless.
The first thing you have to do is buy
a 25# bag of lead shot, usually available at ammo stores that cater to
sportsmen who do their own re-loads. The size of the shot makes no difference. Do
not use steel shot; the first time the bag gets damp, the steel shot
will rust and will stain through.
Next, you will need cloth to make the
bags. The inner bags are made from lightweight terry cloth, the nubby side
turned in. The outer bags are lightweight denim. About a yard each should do
it.
I used 2-1/2# of shot in each bag,
which will yield ten double bags. As for size, a convenient size for most uses
is about 3-1/2” x 7” but I also have a few longer ones for wheel chocks, etc.
These are about 3-1/2” x 10”.
Make all bags double-stitched and open
on one end. Turn them inside out (stitches in) and put one inside the other.
Load the shot in the terry inner bag and sew shut. Now pull the denim up and
sew it shut as well.
Trust me on this one – these are handy
“tools” and make a great addition to any workshop.
Lyman
Slack