Found some printers lead dyes from a rotary letter press. What alloy would that be ?
Found some printers lead dyes from a rotary letter press. What alloy would that be ?
Pictures would be really helpful, Not understanding "printers lead dyes"
are you talking Linotype -- strips of words?
or monotype, individual letters?
The color looks like there is a high percent of copper? May not be good for casting in a bottom pour pot? Likes to plug it.
Babbitt alloy with copper needs lots of heat. Or thin by adding scrap lead.
I am thinking more of red ink staining but who knows.i have some stuff like that to.I think the only way to know is have it tested.
Elbow grease, some acetone (or soap and water for water soluble dyes) and a brush would show if it was ink on the surface, wouldn't it? Of course, even if the red color comes off, you still don't know the alloy composition, unless there is some standard.
Last edited by kevin c; 10-14-2018 at 12:06 AM. Reason: Dratted autocorrect
Even if there is a standard, use can deplete one or another of the elements in the alloy. Test to be sure, or experiment-at your own risk of course.
Micah 6:8
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
"I don't have hobbies - I'm developing a robust post-apocalyptic skill set"
I may be discharged and retired but I'm sure I did not renounce the oath that I solemnly swore!
Toss it in a pot, melt it down try to cast it. if it don't cast toss it to the trash. If it casts good then toss it down range.
Test with acid! They did use zinc for things like that...
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |