Crystaline structure

[The Double D]

Any metalurgist here?

Several of the fellows here have helped my in my attempt to acquire 100 pounds of zinc so I can make some round balls for my gun.

Two recent samples had some unusual crystaline structure.

http://www.fototime.com/4A73657D029D6A1/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/26A063F811C1DFE/standard.jpg

does look like Zinc structure?

[Glen]

Yup, it sure does.

[Ricochet]

I'm no metallurgist, but it looks like the broken edges of zinc castings.

[Bill*]

I'm no metallurgist either, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night--hehe--Speaking of holidays--
Merry Christmas Everyone

[The Double D]

Glen and richochet...I don't know... :) But Bill* makes it for sure!!:)

[richbug]

Zinc for sure. I had a 60# pig of it here last summer. Almost impossible to get out of the pot.

[MtGun44]

OK - if nobody else is going to comment. . . . . . .

Why would you want zinc round balls for your gun???

Bill

[badgeredd]

I think it is a dandy idea, considering that the zinc can be melted with a little lead. Seems like it would be kinda a waste to shoot lead from a cannon if one could use any zinc contaminated lead for a cannon ball. I'm thinking that the molding process wouldn't be so critical either with a big ole cannon ball...even if it was just 1" in diameter. BTW mixed old zinc is bringing $.17 a pound according to the web site I check regularly for lead prices. WW are at $.18 a pound!!!!!

Edd

Also the Double D, although I'm not a metalurgist, I'd bet that the ingot pictured has a HIGH zinc content. It looks like one I intentionally made to see if I could melt down the zink WW to sell to the scrap dealer, since in remelted ingot form it brings about twice as much which equals more WW!!!!!!

[glicerin]

double d: some ingots of zinc called prime western is only 98.7% , but balance is lead so no problem. Zinc melts at approx. 790 fah, if you use a torch and heat surface to 1660 fah it vaporizes, and i'm sure that's dangerous to life and limb. Zinc is brittle, any chance it will break apart in the barrel? good luck

[The Double D]

This is one of the guns I cast zinc for.

http://www.fototime.com/1C3E9BD7F62950E/standard.jpg

I am also building a 6PDR Confederate pattern Coehorn that I have cast for.

I also have a mold coming for golf ball size round ball.

[oneokie]

That is nice!

[Catshooter]

Very nice machine! Did you build it? Is it fun? :)


Cat

[The Double D]

I haven't shot this one yet. It came about two weeks ago during the start of the storm. It was built by DOMINICK CARPENTER (http://blackpowder-cannons.com/index.htm)