Linotype

[jakharath]

Howdy,

How much is Linotype going per pound?

Thanks,
Jason

[ShooterAZ]

If I recall correctly, it is going for right around $3 bucks per pound shipped.

[alfloyd]

Anywhere from $1.50 to $2.50 per pound plus shipping, when you can find it.
Rotometals wants $3.05 per pound.

Lafaun

[rexherring]

Just picked up some from e-bay shipped for $2.25 / lb.

[jakharath]

Thanks guys. Filled up one of those big 20mm (?) ammo cans with 260 pounds of it. Have a little over 30 pounds that wouldn't fit in it, thinking about selling that and 300 or so pounds of wheel weights.

[Stick_man]

I recently picked up 25 lbs for $32 delivered off of eBay. I have seen it go anywhere from $1.25-$3 per lb there. Of course, from eBay you are always risking it not being exactly as indicated. From Rotometals, you are assured of what it is BEFORE you buy it.

[leadbutt]

Id try to stay away from lino already melted into ingots.

L. Bottoms

[sqlbullet]

You also have to be wary of linotype pigs...The big 25 lb ingots. Two many dis-reputable guys have latched onto the molds for those and will cast pigs from WW lead, heat treat them and then sell them as linotype.

When in doubt, buy a small amount and test it before you commit to a bunch. To remove any heat treatment, heat in an oven to about 400° and then let it cool slowly in place without quenching. Once it is cool you can test hardness. Linotype will still be hard, but WW will be about a 9-10 bhn.

[jakharath]

Luckily what I have is mostly letters and spacers from a printing shop.

[sqlbullet]

If it is letters and spacers then it is most likely monotype. This has a fair bit more antimony and a little more tin than linotype.

Monotype is generally 74/16/10 lead/antimony/tin, where linotype is generally 82/12/6. Monotype has a BHN of 27 vs BHN 22 for linotype.

Good luck!