Pb plus ? To equal WW

[foxtrapper]

I asked during the winter and got a response which I promptly misplaced:oops: So I beg to ask again, I have several hundred pounds of brick pb and flashing. I want a mix to equate the hardness of WW . I cast gc bullets for ,44 mag,500 Linebaugh ,45/70 and 50 Alaskan. Thanks in advance:bigsmyl2:

[white eagle]

I do believe that unless you have arsnic and antimony
you will not be able to match up to 100% of ww
you can make some fine alloys without those ingedients though
like 16/1,20/1,ect............

[Ole]

3 parts soft lead to 1 part linotype should approximate the hardness of clip on wheel weights.

[ku4hx]

I asked during the winter and got a response which I promptly misplaced:oops: So I beg to ask again, I have several hundred pounds of brick pb and flashing. I want a mix to equate the hardness of WW . I cast gc bullets for ,44 mag,500 Linebaugh ,45/70 and 50 Alaskan. Thanks in advance:bigsmyl2:

Clip-on wheel weights (CoWW) do not have a single, specific, composition. Generally they are about 95% lead, 3% Antimony, around .5% Tin with the rest being other stuff with a low melting point with Arsenic being one.

See here about halfway down the page:
http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chapter_3_alloySelectionMetallurgy.ht m

I you have pure lead, for about every 100 pounds of it add 3 pounds of Antimony and your melt will closely approximate CoWW. But, pure Antimony can be problematic to melt and you will likely find it easier and simpler to buy Rotometals' (a forum sponsor) Super Hard alloy and blend it with your pure lead.

A simpler alternative might be to up the Tin component of your pure Lead to maybe 2% with some mix of Tim/Lead solder. 100 pounds pure Lead with 4 pounds 50/50 solder for instance. A little Tin sometimes aids in mold fill out. I prefer a blend of about 92% Lead, 2% Tin and 6% Antimony. Others have their favorite alloy and it all comes down to what works for you in your application.

[runfiverun]

what Ole said.

the arsenic helps with some things you may want from the alloy.
i'd substitute a mounded teaspoon of sulpher to the lee pot to make up the difference.
just stir in as much as it will take, flux and skim, then cast.

[foxtrapper]

Thanks to all:bigsmyl2: I think for me (easy) the linotype is the path I will take. Now.... Where do I get Linotype?

[white eagle]

watch here in swap comes up occasionally or buy from rotometals

[bumpo628]

Another way to do it would be with some Magnum shot (6% antimony, 1.25% arsenic).
Just mix it 50/50 with pure lead and add some tin to improve mold fillout.

Here is a ratio that will work:
10 lbs Magnum Shot + 10 lbs Pure Lead + 2 oz Pure Tin = alloy with 0.6% tin, 3% antimony, 0.6% arsenic

That mix has slightly higher tin & arsenic %'s than typical WW lead, I believe.

[runfiverun]

a titch on the tin [.5%] but ww's has [airc] .20-.24% ish arsenic.

[303Guy]

I like copper in my alloy. Makes it tough yet ductile. It does need tin to dissolve. It's like arsenic only not so poisonous and can be had in pure form. Plus it can augment the arsenic.

[zack]

303 Guy, could you elaborate on how yo alloy copper in to your mix? Zack