Guys,
I have been around DC-10 control surfaces in the back shop of a once well
known repair station.  We didn't like the depleted U and, in fact, were
pretty scared of it.  I am glad to know it was cad plated because you could
have fooled me.  When it came into our shop I, as the inspector demanded the
balance weights be wrapped in 3 or 4 mil plastic and taped over with
aluminum foil tape to make them air tight.  We did not remove the weights
and, for that matter, never got too close to them.  Well, within reason.  We
were repairing the surfaces.
I don't think anyone should mess with that stuff.  Deal with W if you are a
real persnisckety masochistic type builder.  Pb works well and is soft
enough to form.  Weight and balance follows Lance's design and turns out to
be "No Problem" in the end.  Several years ago he wrote to me on these same
pages to tell me to stop worrying about all this and, you know, in the end
he was right.  He knew it well before I started LIV-449.  As they say here
in California... "DUH".
Thanks Lance,
Walter Dodson  IV-P N990Y