The recent thread on type metal hardness inspired me to start this thread. I have three 5 gallon buckets of type. Its mixed foundry, mono and maybe a little lino. I've had it for about 40 years. I'm thinking about what to do with it. I'm considering smelting it all together, sending BNE a sample to analyze and blending it with pure to make a nice useable alloy. Maybe keeping a few ingots to use as a sweetener for other stuff. If I do melt it I will look at it closely for any interesting letters or anything with any possible value.
My questions are;
1. What do you think about my idea?
2. What would you do with it?
3. If I do melt it all together will I have any problems with the tin and antimony rich alloy separating or keeping
everything together. I estimate about 600 to 800 pounds and if so it will be done in two batches.
I know that if you sell type most buyers want it in the original form. I don't really ever see myself selling this. I've had it since 1975 or 1976 and it probably sat around the newspaper office 10 years before I got it. This stuff is all different sizes from 1 X 1 inch squares to tine slivers 1/8th inch wide.
Thanks for any ideas or suggestions.