Does this look right for lead?

[mwells72774]

Well this is what I got that's supposed to be lead. Doesn't look right and super brittle

Here's what it looks like pre melt

[scottfire1957]

We really, really can't tell much by looking at a photo. Could be lead, might not be.

There are those that will need more information to make their guess: weight to volume, melt temp etc. etc.

Analysis is the only real answer.


Edit: And no, it doesn't "look right," but doesn't mean it's not lead.

[GrayTech]

There may be lead in that, but it's not pure lead. Don't mix it with the good stuff until you know what it is. Looks almost fibrous where it's broken.

[mwells72774]

It's super crystalline

[WebMonkey]

Got too hot and cooled too quick.

[GhostHawk]

Need to sort each of those wheel weights. If there is any zinc in there that could contribute to the hardness.

Different guys have different techniques but I know you can feel the difference with a set of side cutters. Also can hear the difference, lead will be dull, zinc has more of a ring to it.

[Beagle333]

Lead can look like that if you get it too hot and cool it fast. It'll get brittle and flaky.

Likewise, if you get your melt too hot and dump the boolits too fast, they'll just shatter like they were cast of wet sand.

[jeepyj]

Does it ring or thud when dropped on a cement floor? Personally I think WebMonkey is the winner. It very well could be good lead
jeepyj

[mwells72774]

Deep thud

[jeepyj]

I've had the heat get away from me before when getting towards the bottom of the pot when cleaning / remelting scrap lead and looked just like that.
Jeepyj

[scottfire1957]

So, it can be, or it might not be. See what I meant?

Try this: remelt it at a lower temp and let it cool "slower." See if it "looks" like lead.

[big bore 99]

I'm with the sound test. When you drop it on a cement floor, does it clink or klunk?

[scottfire1957]

He already said "deep thud." however, that COULD be caused by how it's been cast.

[scottfire1957]

Everybody is guessing. Nobody knows for sure. Nobody will know. It's a picture. Nobody could possibly know.

Sometimes you have to do the work yourself. Get it analyzed. Or not.

[CastingFool]

put a drop or two of muriatic acid on it. if it fizzles, it's zinc, and you don't want that in your alloy.

[Sekatoa]

If you have a lead thermometer, the melting point could be a valuable clue as well. Same if have some mean to test hardness.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk