Not posssible to melt down. Soft weights are the way to go. I have found 50 lbs of hard weights at Morrison this past year. I melt them down for fishing weights. I make my own soft weights. Go to a sporting goods stores, gun shop or somewhere that sells reloading supplies. Buy a bag of lead shot. Normally about $12 - $14 for 25 punds. I use nylon material from Walmart. Cut it into a rectangle. fold it over, have someone sew it around the three remainging sides leaving a 1/4" opening, get a funnel and fill with lead shot. Then sew up the 1/4" I have also used zip lock bags, burlap screw bags with draw strings etc.