Where to buy tin

[ian45662]

Where do you guys buy your tin? What is the going rate for tin these days?

[HammerMTB]

Last time I got some it was from Rotometals, a sponsor here. Watch for their banner.
Price is fair, and shipping reasonable.

[Marlin Junky]

Unless you're a BPCR guy, what makes you think Sn is necessary? I've got so little Sn in my pot it's virtually not there. If you really think you need it, buy some lead-free solder and use it sparingly.

MJ

[Ole]

Where do you guys buy your tin? What is the going rate for tin these days?

This is the cheapest i've found for solder lately:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alpha-5lb-roll-062-63-37-Rosin-Core-Solder-60-40_W0QQitemZ150533770005QQcategoryZ109555QQcmdZVie wItemQQ_trksidZp5197.m7QQ_
trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D2%26po%3DL VI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5817
046716730505781

It comes to $8.98/lb for the tin if you only buy one roll and the guy will combine up to 6 rolls in one box (@$7/lb) for lower shipping if you are so inclined to buy that much.

[rockrat]

PM sent

[troy_mclure]

i found silver solder on ebay for $8 a roll, you just have to keep your eyes open.

i also find a bunch of pewter at local antique/thrift stores for <$5/lb.

[ian45662]

Unless you're a BPCR guy, what makes you think Sn is necessary? I've got so little Sn in my pot it's virtually not there. If you really think you need it, buy some lead-free solder and use it sparingly.

MJ

Thats exactly why I want the tin bpcr

[lwknight]

I just bought 10 of the 5 pound rolls. It was still $65.00 shipping!!
Oh well , it ended up at $8.00 per pound of tin if I count the lead content at $1.00 per pound.

[Ole]

I just bought 10 of the 5 pound rolls. It was still $65.00 shipping!!
Oh well , it ended up at $8.00 per pound of tin if I count the lead content at $1.00 per pound.

If you bought it from the link I posted, that seller will give you a discount on combined shipping.

Just email the seller and ask for a reduced shipping invoice before you pay.

[lwknight]

He did combine shipping . Beware it only conbines 1/2. Not the total order.
" JERK"

[Ole]

He did combine shipping . Beware it only conbines 1/2. Not the total order.
" JERK"

Well I won't be posting any more ebaY links on here (in an attempt to be helpful).

Try to deal with the seller via email and you may find he'll help you.

I bought 4 rolls a few weeks ago and got them for $11.70 shipping (after asking for a combined shipping invoice). Mind you I had to wait a day to get a response.

[lwknight]

I did not know that his supply was basically unlimited or I would have tried to negotiate. I will contact him aboutt he high shipping charges.
Anyway I still got a good slug of tin well worth the money. Tin will only go higher and higher. I'm betting on $30.00 per pound by 2012

Anyway , I'm glad that you did point us to the source
Thank You!

[Marlin Junky]

Thats exactly why I want the tin bpcr

OK then... if you're really, really cheep (like me) see if you can reclaim solder from repair shops that fix radiators. Don't forget estate sales... plumbers don't live forever ya know... and then there's ugly pewter.

MJ

[Jailer]

I just got a half bucket from my local radiator repair guy. He asked what I was going to do with it so I told him about casting. He told me to hang on a sec and started rummaging around his shop. After a couple minutes he says, "Ha! Here it is. You can have it I don't use it any more" and hands me his bar mold that he used to use to reclaim solder. So I walked out with a half bucket of solder drippings and a free bar mold.

You have to go in and talk to people face to face. Be willing to take a few no's but in the end you'll score if you stick with it.

[quilbilly]

I use lead free splitshot from various fishing tackle stores to adjust the tin content of my lead alloys. It may not be the cheapest way to buy tin but it is the most exact if you need just a little. I use size 4 splitshot and about 3 of them added to about two pounds of pure lead seems about right.
I was told a couple weeks back by a tin supplier that the price of bulk tine has been driven up 30% on the international market in the last couple months by the Chinese.

[troy_mclure]

http://cgi.ebay.com/6-s-LENOX-LEAD-FREE-SOLDER-WS15037-WS15041-/140492389536?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b5ffbca0#ht_500wt_1156