Is this "lead free" solder good for alloying?

[fatelvis]

I can get a whole bunch of this free. Please tell me it will work well when alloying! Thanks

[osteodoc08]

Tin, silver, copper, antimony is all fine. Does it have a core? Acid core is a no go.

[fatelvis]

It does not have a core, it is solid. Copper and Silver won't Jack-up the fillout?

[retread]

I think you should send me a bunch for testing to make sure it is alright!

[Charlie Two Tracks]

Here is the MSDS sheet for it................ you done good.
http://www.lelcolorado.com/documents...0Watersafe.pdf

[imashooter2]

It does not have a core, it is solid. Copper and Silver won't Jack-up the fillout?

At the concentrations we use tin, no, not at all.

[MtGun44]

Most of these almost pure tin. Since we shoot for around 2% tin, the other stuff
will be at tiny fractions of a percent.

Suppose you wanted to make Keith's classic 1:16 alloy from pure lead. You get 16 lb
lead and 1 lb solder and mix. So you have 17 parts total, and 1/17th is tin alloy. This is
5.9% tin alloy. Of that 5.9, less than 5% is copper. So the copper in the final mix is
about 3 tenths of 1 percent. The antimony is under 2% of the 5.9%, or about 1 tenth
of 1%, and the silver is about the same. Silver and antimony don't hurt for sure up
to many percent, copper can be problematic at higher concentrations, apparently eventually
affecting castability.

1:16 is a relatively high tin alloy, just adding enough to wwt alloy to make it cast nicely will be one third
of these levels of the other materials (2% instead of 5.9%).

Just curious - what is "a whole bunch" - a couple tons or 10-15 rolls?

Bill

[osteodoc08]

No core, use it up. Nice score.

[fatelvis]

A "whole bunch" is knowing a few plumbers that work for big companies. Lol

[Beagle333]

It is wonderful stuff. Get all you can. Stack it in your closet. Smile smugly every time you think about it.

[olafhardt]

When I go shopping for solder I read labels. Most I have found don't give percents. The one I buy says it is 0.95 tin and .05 antimony. Should we start a list of brands vs analysis?

[OverMax]

Take as much as another is willing to give you. Watersafe means: it can be used on pot-able water supply piping. NO acid core or lead to worry about. Ooo! good score for alloying>(tin) But you'll still have to flux your pot for its good blending with other casting lead. Can't get away from not doing that.

[GaryN]

I would get all I could. I even use acid core if I can find it. You just have to cook it outside so you don't get gassed. I would also never cook it in my casting furnace. I have a cut off propane tank for that kind of stuff.

[fatelvis]

Most of these almost pure tin. Since we shoot for around 2% tin, the other stuff
will be at tiny fractions of a percent.

Suppose you wanted to make Keith's classic 1:16 alloy from pure lead. You get 16 lb
lead and 1 lb solder and mix. So you have 17 parts total, and 1/17th is tin alloy. This is
5.9% tin alloy. Of that 5.9, less than 5% is copper. So the copper in the final mix is
about 3 tenths of 1 percent. The antimony is under 2% of the 5.9%, or about 1 tenth
of 1%, and the silver is about the same. Silver and antimony don't hurt for sure up
to many percent, copper can be problematic at higher concentrations, apparently eventually
affecting castability.

1:16 is a relatively high tin alloy, just adding enough to wwt alloy to make it cast nicely will be one third
of these levels of the other materials (2% instead of 5.9%).

Just curious - what is "a whole bunch" - a couple tons or 10-15 rolls?

Bill

Thanks for the alloying tip Mt. Would 1:16 alloy be good when casting a .358 or .452 hollow point?

[dondiego]

What are the dangers of using acid core solder?I have used it before and it didn't seem to be problem. I sure wouldn't want to ruin a good mold or firearm.

[Blammer]

nice score, I wish I had a roll of it for when I connect my copper pipes. That's all I'd use it for.

[jakec]

i use acid core all the time. just dont breath it.

[imashooter2]

What are the dangers of using acid core solder?I have used it before and it didn't seem to be problem. I sure wouldn't want to ruin a good mold or firearm.

It makes a mess of your pot, requiring a good cleaning. Other than that, nothing.

[Zymurgy50]

That sells for around $30/lb. Get as much as you can and send some here

[fatelvis]

How much of it should I add to pure lead for general 30 cal rifle shooting (with gcs) from 1600-1800fps? How much should I add to pure lead to make good expanding HP boolits for 357, 44, and 45s? Thanks-