Lead alloy calculators

[bumpo628]

I made a spreadsheet that will let you calculate the properties you get when mixing two or more types of lead. Let me know if there is anything that is incorrect or needs improvement.

EDIT (2/6/11): Added Brinell hardness estimate.
EDIT (2/14/11): Expanded calculator to mix up to 10 alloys.
EDIT (3/10/11): Simplified the form down to just the mixed alloy calculator. Now you can mix all of the alloys in the table.
EDIT (3/15/11): Added more alloys and updated the notes.
EDIT (3/16/11): Added a column for arsenic data, two rows for custom alloy data, and updated the alloy specs.
EDIT (3/25/11): Added a column for copper% so that pewter could be added to the table.
EDIT (3/26/11): Added some data for lead free solder (Sn-Cu & Sn-Sb).
EDIT (3/29/11): Easier to read the weights and added a link to Glen Fryxell's online book on casting "From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners".
EDIT (6/28/11): Separated magnum shot into two categories by pellet size - 4% & 6% antimony.
EDIT (8/23/11): Added 40/60 solder and reference link.
EDIT (1/15/12): Added a column for silver% so that silver solder could be added to the table.
EDIT (5/26/12): Added alloy and boolit cost calculator.


EDIT (7/6/12): Corrected tin-lead alloy formulas and updated cost calculator.
45784

EDIT (2/28/20): Corrected tin-lead alloy formulas and updated cost calculator (with 17 custom alloy lines) originally uploaded on post #147
257614


Use MS Office, Apache OpenOffice, or LibreOffice to view the spreadsheet
For Windows & English: http://sourceforge.net/projects/openofficeorg.mirror/files/4.1.2/binaries/en-US/Apache_OpenOffice_4.1.2_Win_x86_install_en-US.exe/download
or select your OS & language: http://www.openoffice.org/download/
For 32 bit Windows & English: https://www.libreoffice.org/donate/dl/win-x86/6.4.1/en-US/LibreOffice_6.4.1_Win_x86.msi
or select your OS & language: www.libreoffice.org/download/download/

[garandsrus]

Bumpo,

Here is a thread that talks about alloy calculators (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=85980&highlight=alloy). If you do a search here, you will find several different versions, mostly written for Excel.

I downloaded yours and used your first alloy and it came up with the same results that the one I wrote a few years ago so it looks like yours is correct.

John

[white eagle]

looks good printed it out
thanks will come in handy

[bumpo628]

Thanks for the link and for double-checking my calculations.

I've only been casting for a year or so and I have been using straight WW. I have been reading several threads about alloy content on this site and I see that many people use 50/50 Pure Lead/WW ratio in their low velocity pistol boolits. Some people add a little solder to make it fill the mold better.

[bumpo628]

The spreadsheet has been updated to include a Brinell hardness estimate for the alloys. Notes and more reference info has also been added. The estimated hardness values are shown next to the known values to show the accuracy of the calculations.

29267


Description, Composition, Uses, Hardness, Est. Hardness
Pure Lead, (100% Lead), Minies, Round, Brinell 5, 8.6
Pure Tin, (100% Tin), Alloy, Brinell 7, -
Pure Antimony, (100% Antimony), Alloy, Brinell 50, -
Antimonial Lead, (5% Antimony, 95% Lead), Alloy, Brinell ???, 13.2
Super Hard Alloy, (30% Antimony, 70% Lead), Alloy, Brinell ???, 36.2
40 to 1 Alloy, (2.5% Tin, 97.5% Lead), Blackpowder, Brinell 8, 9.3
30 to 1 Alloy, (3% Tin, 97% Lead), Blackpowder Brinell 9, 9.5
25 to 1 Alloy, (4% Tin, 96% Lead), Blackpowder Brinell 9, 9.8
20 to 1 Alloy, (5% Tin, 95% Lead), Blackpowder Brinell 10, 10.1
Chilled Shot, (2% Antimony, 98% Lead), Shotgun, Brinell ???, 10.4
Magnum Shot, (5% Antimony, 95% Lead), Shotgun, Brinell ???, 13.2
Wheel Weight - Stick On, (0.5% Tin, 99.5% Lead), Minies, Round, Brinell 6, 8.7
Wheel Weight - Clip On, (0.5% Tin, 2% Antimony, 97.5% Lead), Pistol, Rifle, Brinell 12, 10.6
Lyman's No. 2, (5% Tin, 5% Antimony, 90% Lead), Pistol, Rifle, Brinell 15, 14.7
Hardball Alloy, (2% Tin, 6% Antimony, 92% Lead), Pistol, Rifle, Brinell 16, 14.7
Linotype Alloy, (4% Tin, 12% Antimony, 84% Lead), Alloy, Brinell 19, 20.8
Monotype Alloy, (9% Tin, 19% Antimony, 72% Lead), Alloy Brinell 26, 28.7

[bumpo628]

The spreadsheet has been updated to allow you to mix up to 10 alloys. You can also copy and paste the properties from the table into the mixing calculator.
Now you can find out what you get if you mix all of your different types of lead into the same pot.

Here is the latest version: 29455

[bumpo628]

I simplified the form down to just the mixed alloy calculator. I found that I never used the calculators on the 2nd page anymore, so I figured that I would expand the mixed alloy calculator to include all of the 19 alloys in the table.

Here is the 3/10/11 version: 30292

[lwknight]

I took it a step farther to calculate the cost/value of the alloy.
You just plug in the latest prices of whatever.

[Ole]

Pretty handy gadget.

Thanks for sharing.

[bumpo628]

Pretty handy gadget.
Thanks for sharing.

Thanks.
I've got another update coming soon where I added a little more data. I am including Muddy Creek Sam's isotope lead and a rough estimate for range lead. Any other ideas?

I estimate that range lead has about .25% Tin and 1% Antimony. In the vendor sales section, people have said that the range lead for sale tested at around 11 bhn. So it must have some additives in there. Obviously there is no way to know for sure, but if you had a hardness number you can adjust the numbers until the composition matches your measurement.

[bumpo628]

I added more alloys and updated the notes.

Here is the 3/15/11 version: 30441

[Lee W]

I have a request. With my state banning wheel weights, I would like to create an alloy that mimics wheel weights, when water dropped, using range lead and magnum shot. The critical part is the amount of arsenic. Could you add a column for arsenic?

[bumpo628]

I have a request. With my state banning wheel weights, I would like to create an alloy that mimics wheel weights, when water dropped, using range lead and magnum shot. The critical part is the amount of arsenic. Could you add a column for arsenic?

Sure. However I don't know how much arsenic is in any of those alloys.
If you post the data (and/or the source) then I think I can squeeze it in there.

What does the arsenic do specifically? Is it just for hardening or does is help shot form into a ball?

[white eagle]

Lee
10-1(lead/tin) will get you close at 11.5 bhn

[Lee W]

With the volume my friend and I do, tin is just to expensive.

From what I have read. Lawrance magnum shot has 1% arsenic. I cannot find more info than that.


Some info about arsenic.:

http://www.lasc.us/WiljenArsenic.htm

http://www.lasc.us/HeatTreat.htm

[kbstenberg]

Very easy for even a caveman like me. I didn't even have my wife have to come help me the first time. THANK YOU SIR
Kevin

[white eagle]

so call me stupid but how do you use it ????

[bumpo628]

With the volume my friend and I do, tin is just to expensive. From what I have read. Lawrance magnum shot has 1% arsenic. I cannot find more info than that.
Some info about arsenic.:
http://www.lasc.us/WiljenArsenic.htm
http://www.lasc.us/HeatTreat.htm

Ok, I found some numbers on Magnum shot and COWW lead. The magnum shot has 4% antimony and 1.25-1.5% arsenic. Clip on WW has 0.5% tin, 3% antimony, and 0.25% arsenic. I'll incorporate this into the calculator and have it ready tomorrow. Arsenic seems to be a catalyst of sorts for heat treating. It helps the quenched alloy harden and retain it's hardness. Does this sound right to you?
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.
.

Very easy for even a caveman like me. I didn't even have my wife have to come help me the first time. THANK YOU SIR
Kevin

You're welcome. I tried to make it easy to use and look good when printed out. It also serves as a handy reference chart to boot.
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.
.

so call me stupid but how do you use it ????
I'm assuming you are directing that question at Lee W, not about the calculator. I would also like to know how Lee is using such vast quantities of lead. Please explain a bit.

[Lee W]

The plan is to use the magnum shot to bring up the arsenic to wheel weight level. The goal is to water drop to 15-17 BHN. With the mixture in our club's range, they water drop at 10-11 BHN. Good for 45 and 38s, but not for 9mm and 40. With the addition of the shot, the hardness is where we want it.
When my casting buddy and I smelt, we try to do 1,000 pounds. That might last the year..
If we did 10:1 we would need 100 pounds of tin at $17-18 per pound. Too much.

[white eagle]

no the calculator
so you can use the thing for what ?
I can't seem to figure this out
does it just tell you what certain BHN values are or can
you figure out mixes and alloys

[Bulltipper]

Nice, Thank you! Looks like you spent a lot of time on it, I saved a copy.

[ph4570]

I added more alloys and updated the notes.

Here is the 3/15/11 version: 30441

I am confused -- not unusual. does the formula:

Brinell = 8.60 + ( 0.29 * Tin ) + ( 0.92 * Antimony )

suggest that the BHN for pure lead is 8.6? The spreadsheet says pure lead is 5. As it is if one puts in pounds for just pure lead and leaves all others 0 one gets an estimated BHN of 8.6. While that matches the formula it would seem suspiciously high.

[bumpo628]

The plan is to use the magnum shot to bring up the arsenic to wheel weight level. The goal is to water drop to 15-17 BHN. With the mixture in our club's range, they water drop at 10-11 BHN. Good for 45 and 38s, but not for 9mm and 40. With the addition of the shot, the hardness is where we want it. When my casting buddy and I smelt, we try to do 1,000 pounds. That might last the year. If we did 10:1 we would need 100 pounds of tin at $17-18 per pound. Too much.

You only need about 0.5% Tin for proper mold fillout. WW has 0.5% Tin, 2-3% Antimony, 0.25% Arsenic.
So it would take much less tin then you estimated to get what you want.

If you mixed the following:
200 lbs Magnum shot
800 lbs pure lead
5 lbs pure Tin
= 1005 lbs of a mixed alloy with 0.50% Tin, 0.80% Antimony, 0.25% Arsenic, 98.5% Lead and an @ Brinell hardness of 9.5
(assuming 3% Antimony)

The link from LASC that you gave me yesterday said that WW lead has 3-4% antimony. I have always seen it posted as 2-3%. So, on my next revision of the calculator where I add the column for Arsenic I will use 3% for Antimony for WW.
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.
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no the calculator. so you can use the thing for what ? I can't seem to figure this out. does it just tell you what certain BHN values are or can you figure out mixes and alloys

You can mix different alloys by weight to find the properties of the new alloy. The calculator tells you the %Tin, %Antimony, %Lead, total weight, and @ hardness.

The example that I left in the calculator is mixing the following:
1 oz of 50/50 solder (.0625 lbs)
5 lbs pure lead
5 lbs clip on WW lead
= 10.1 lbs of a mixed alloy with 0.56% Tin, 0.99% Antimony, 98.4% Lead and an @ Brinell hardness of 9.7
(assuming 2% antimony)

Another example would be if you wanted to mix Linotype and pure lead:
5 lbs Lino + 5 lbs Pure = 10 lbs alloy with 2.00% Tin, 6.00% Antimony, Hardness @ 14.7 (same specs as Hardball)
5 lbs Lino + 25 lbs Pure = 30 lbs alloy with 0.67% Tin, 2.00% Antimony, Hardness @ 10.6 (close approx. of clip-on WW)

Let me know if you have any questions.
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.
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Nice, Thank you! Looks like you spent a lot of time on it, I saved a copy.

No problem. Use it and if you come up with any suggestions, let me know.

[bumpo628]

I am confused -- not unusual. does the formula:

Brinell = 8.60 + ( 0.29 * Tin ) + ( 0.92 * Antimony )

suggest that the BHN for pure lead is 8.6? The spreadsheet says pure lead is 5. As it is if one puts in pounds for just pure lead and leaves all others 0 one gets an estimated BHN of 8.6. While that matches the formula it would seem suspiciously high.

That formula came from Rotometals and you are correct - it does not make sense. :confused:
I have found that it works pretty well for alloys that have higher %'s of tin AND antimony (maybe 1% and up). Lower than that on either and it kinda breaks down. However, it is the only formula I could find so I'll use it until I find something better.

[bumpo628]

I have a request. With my state banning wheel weights, I would like to create an alloy that mimics wheel weights, when water dropped, using range lead and magnum shot. The critical part is the amount of arsenic. Could you add a column for arsenic?

Here is the updated calculator with a column for Arsenic, as you requested.

I added two lines for your own custom alloys too. They can be used to put the results of your mixed alloy for future use. Just enter the data in the yellow boxes.

I also updated the specs for:
Magnum shot, Range lead, Clip on WW, and Stick on WW.
The changes were made according to some new information that I read on lasc.us. The articles are linked in the reference area.

Here is the 3/16/11 version: 30488

[Lee W]

Thanks for the new version. I will put it to work this weekend.

[beladran]

i love the excell sheet!

[Mossy Nugget]

Most excellent tool! could you add a column for pewter? ASTM B560 standard alloy 90-98% tin, 1-8% antimony, .25-3% copper. even a ballpark guesstimate would help. http://www.astm.org/Standards/B560.htm

[bumpo628]

Most excellent tool! could you add a column for pewter? ASTM B560 standard alloy 90-98% tin, 1-8% antimony, .25-3% copper. even a ballpark guesstimate would help. http://www.astm.org/Standards/B560.htm

Thanks for the feedback, I'll try to post an updated calculator tomorrow.
Btw, any idea what the copper does to the alloy?

It looks like common pewter has 92.5% Tin, 6% Antimony, 1.5% Copper and has a hardness of 23.

[bumpo628]

Most excellent tool! could you add a column for pewter?

Here is the updated alloy calculator with Pewter added. I also added a column for Copper %.
From what I can tell, the copper acts like a hardening agent.

Here is the 3/25/11 version: 30832

[white eagle]

whats up
when you want 10 # of 16/1 the bhn changes from 11 to 10.4

[Mossy Nugget]

All I know about copper is if you alloy lots of it with tin, you get bronze. Hardest stuff around before iron was discovered.

[bumpo628]

whats up
when you want 10 # of 16/1 the bhn changes from 11 to 10.4

The hardness values to the right of the alloys in the table are the published values for that alloy.

The "est. hardness" in the mixed alloy calculator stands for estimated hardness. I use the rotometals formula to calculate the mixed hardness. It is not 100% accurate, but it is the best tool I can find and it is better than nothing.

[bumpo628]

I added two kinds of lead-free 95/5 solder (Sn-Cu & Sn-Sb).

Here is the 3/26/11 version: 30870

[Nick2010]

finally got it to work nice nice...

[bumpo628]

I made it easier to read the weights and added a link to Glen Fryxell's online book on casting "From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners".

Here is the 3/29/11 version: 31140

[JSimpson65]

Very Useful.

Thank you sir,

Joe

[bumpo628]

Here is the latest update to the alloy calculator - the 6/28/11 version.
33808

I separated magnum shot into two categories by pellet size - 4% & 6% antimony.
Thanks to Canuck Bob for the source for the info.

It seems that Lawrence makes their shot in different hardnesses according to pellet size. Bob does a pretty good job explaining the reasoning for that in his thread, so I'll leave it to him.

In any case, it might help people who want to mix up a particular batch using shot as a base or hardener. You can measure the shot and get a pretty good idea of the antimony content of your lead.

Sources:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=120593
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Lead-Magnum-Chilled/products/68/

[bumpo628]

Here is the latest version of the alloy calculator (8/23/11)
36813

I recently got some 40/60 solder and I realized that I didn't have a spot for that one.
I also added a link for information on solder.

[halx]

Something is very wrong in all of these calculators. The pure lead BHN is 5. Try to make a pure lead alloy (0 Anti, 0 tin) its BHN will be 8.6

[para45lda]

This has already been noted/addressed. Like Bumpo says - it's the best thing we got right now. It's an alloy calculator not an alloy reduction calculator. Welcome to Cast Boolits also. Good to see new folks.

Thanks again Bumpo.

Wes

[Nueces]

The linear formula works pretty well to approximate the alloy-hardness curve over a limited range. As has been noticed, it fails at the boundary. Still, it's a good way to look at how hardness changes as a result of small changes in alloy. Could probably create another formula that worked better for very low concentrations of tin and antimony.

Mark

And, me too, welcome aboard!

[bumpo628]

Thanks guys.

If you look at the note section, you'll see the formula:
Estimated hardness calculated by Rotometals formula: Brinell = 8.60 + ( 0.29 * %Tin ) + ( 0.92 * %Antimony )
Or in other words:
8.6 + a modifier for tin + a modifier for antimony

What can be learned from this is that antimony impacts hardness about three times more than tin. I bet this formula was derived by experimentation at Rotometals on some of their alloys. They did not test low % alloys, so that is why the formula starts at 8.6.

I've noticed that the formula only seems to be close to the published values when both tin and antimony are over 0.5%. The numbers are more accurate when the tin and antimony %s are close to each other. If you calculate the hardness for Lyman #2 and Hardball, you get 15 for both. Lyman #2 should be 15 and Hardball should be 16.

I hope you guys find the calculator useful. Let me know if anything else is missing or doesn't look right.

[halx]

Thank you for the explanation and warm welcoming. I should definitely spend more time researching the forum, because I'm very new to the casting. I have an idea to play with very soft alloy (i.e. BHN=7) for my 357 revolver bullets, but not sure how to get below 8.6 using the Rotometal's Super Hard. Is there any specific calculator for that available?

[montana_charlie]

I have an idea to play with very soft alloy (i.e. BHN=7) for my 357 revolver bullets, but not sure how to get below 8.6 using the Rotometal's Super Hard. Is there any specific calculator for that available?
Buy 30:1 alloy from Rotometals. It is in the range of 7 BHN.
20:1 is 7.8 BHN.

CM

[halx]

That's too easy :) I have a stash of pure lead which I'd like to utilize.

[wiljen]

1 part Superhard to 9 parts Lead should reduce the overall Antimony concentration to 3% which should be pretty close to what you are after. If that is still a bit hard try 1 part to 10.

[bumpo628]

Thank you for the explanation and warm welcoming. I should definitely spend more time researching the forum, because I'm very new to the casting. I have an idea to play with very soft alloy (i.e. BHN=7) for my 357 revolver bullets, but not sure how to get below 8.6 using the Rotometal's Super Hard. Is there any specific calculator for that available?

If you look at the column on the right on my table, you'll see the published values for the different alloys. Chilled shot is the closest alloy that I have found to what you requested. It has 2% antimony and the hardness is 10. You will need to get the antimony lower than that to get closer to 7 if you want to make it out of Superhard and pure lead.

Using this mixture you should get something close:
0.375 lbs (= 6 ozs) of Superhard
10 lbs of pure lead
= alloy with 1.08% antimony

You could also get some stick-on WW lead. It should have a hardness about 6 or so. No mixing required.

[kelbro]

My stickons test between 6 and 7, depending on moonphases and such.

[Ole]

Bump.

Bumpo's calculator should be a sticky, IMO.

[white eagle]

I saved it on my computer so it is for me
but you are absolutely rite it is very nice

[AndyC]

I'm loving this calculator, thank you. It doesn't have to be laboratory-grade for my bullets, just close enough to give me an idea of what to expect if I mix, say, 50 lbs of WW with 50 lbs of range scrap - and then perhaps drop in a 1lb bar of 50/50 solder.

Again, thanks a million :)

[yovinny]

Excellent work, this sure saves lots of time.
Thanks very much for making this available :drinks:

[bumpo628]

Thanks for all of the comments.
I got a request to add silver solder to the calculator. I added a column for silver % and a row for 96% tin, 4% silver solder.

39781

[41mag]

As mentioned, this is a GREAT source for the site, especially for us newer folks who are scrounging to get alloy materials together.

Thanks again for your work on this.

[badluther]

Thanks Bumpo! Nice work:-D

[Oreo]

44585

Thought I'd give this a face-lift and a unit-cost calculator. :drinks:

[popper]

Lee W - You don't need that hard an alloy for 9 or 40, maybe for 10mm. 98/1/1 is fine for SA. Done both, no accuracy, feeding or leading difference, just more trouble. I did the 95/2.5/2.5 with As, HT (~18 BHN) for 30-30 @ ~2000 fps OK, but for .40 it's too much trouble and $.

[bumpo628]

Thought I'd give this a face-lift and a unit-cost calculator. :drinks:

Thanks for the nice feature suggestion. I added your concept to my original format and filled in as many prices for alloys as I could find.

I originally intended the alloy calculator to also serve as a reference sheet when printed out. So, the cost calculator was added to the next page as a 'module'. I set the margins so that if it is printed as "portrait', then you get the alloy calculator on the first page and the cost calculator on the second page. If you print as 'landscape', then you get the alloy and cost calculator on one page, and the notes and cost results on the second page.

44732

[Defcon-One]

I have an issue with the % values in the upper section for 10:1, 20:1, 25:1, 30:1 etc.


The answer is in fact 3.85% Tin for 25 to 1 alloy, not 4% Tin.

That is according to Lyman 4th Edition, Cast Bullet Handbook.

They say that 10 to 1 is 9% Tin (1/11 * 100 = 9.0%)
and 20 to 1 is 4.8% Tin (1/21 * 100 = 4.76%. They rounded up to 4.8%)

Based on that, my math was correct and 25 to 1 is 3.85% Tin. (1/(25 + 1) * 100 = 3.85%)

Also, going in another direction I found a quote from a Glen Fryxell article on bullet metals:

Glen wrote, “… For hollow point bullets I have grown fond of using 25-to-1 alloy (6 lbs pure lead with ½ lb. of 50/50 solder)…..”

The math on that shows Glen’s 25 to 1 recipe to be 3.85% Tin as well.

Live and Learn! Learn to trust what you know!

So, Rotometals 25 to 1 is not the classic 25 to 1 alloy of old, it is actually 24 parts Lead to 1 part Tin, with 4% Tin!

Go here for a complete explanation: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=158582


So,

10 to 1 alloy is 1/(10+1) * 100 = 9% Tin
20 to1 Alloy is 1/(20+1) * 100 = 4.80% Tin
25 to 1 alloy is 1/(25+1) * 100 = 3.85% Tin
30 to 1 alloy is 1/(30+1) * 100 = 3.20% Tin

Just a heads-up! I PM'd you as well. I am pretty sure that I am correct. If I am not, please let me know!

Thanks,

DC-1

[Stick_man]

Due to the differences inherent in most alloys, most people aren't going to be able to distinguish between 3.85% and 4%. Although you are correct, aren't we kind of splitting hairs here? So you have a difference of maybe a .1 on the bhn scale with your alloy. Most people probably don't even get exact measurements when adding solder to a pot. And, unless you are completely draining your casting pot before adding any additional alloy, your exact percentages are going to be off a little anyway. How close to exact same weights are your ingots when you process wheelweights?

[bumpo628]

I have an issue with the % values in the upper section for 10:1, 20:1, 25:1, 30:1 etc.
Thanks,
DC-1

Thanks for the correction. The previous formulas were used since they matched the values published by midwayusa and rotometals. I understand now that they must have been rounding off since it is basically "close enough". However, I like everything to be as accurate as possible in the beginning and then you can round off at the end if you want.

I also added a feature to the cost module that tells you how many boolits you can make with the recipe.

Here is the updated calculator:
45783

[Defcon-One]

.....How close to exact same weights are your ingots when you process wheelweights?

Stick_man: You probably asked the wrong guy!

I cast my ingots on a scale so all are a nominal 5 pounds (actual weight 5.04-5.06 lbs. each) so the answer is +- 0.02 pounds. Get it now!

My alloys are as close to perfect as I can get. Good in = Good out! You should see my bullets and my on target performance. Every little difference matters, so I strive to eliminate as many variables as I can. I shoot a lot of long range rifle (600-1000) yards. Everything matters at that distance and the philosophy has flowed over into my casting, even for hangun loads.

And YES, I do completely draining my casting pot after every casting session. Doesn't everybody? I never know what I might be casting next. I gotta be ready for something new.

Sounds like work, but I like it!

I know that nothing is PERFECT, but it doesn't hurt to strive for it!

Bumpo628 has updated his program to reflect my findings. He was aware of the issue but needed confirmation before making the changes. The info. from Lyman's new book and Glen Fryxell's recipe that I found was what he needed for confirmation!

[lwknight]

I don't know why the term 25-1 is considered rounding off instead if just flat misleading.
The so called 25-1 is actually precisely 24-1 and we do not round off 16-1 to something smooth like calling it 15-1.

Its just an old understood thing that when they say 25 to 1 they really mean 25+1 thus using the word " to " for the word " and or plus " because it rolls off the tongue easier.

For the more technically advanced casters alloys are spoken of in terms of percentages rather than ratios anyway. A 50/50 alloy to me means 50% tin and 50% lead but the other half think it means half COWW and half SOWW

[Uncle Grinch]

Great calculator... I unlocked the input cells and protected everything else so I won't accidently enter data in the formula cells.

[Oreo]

I did that on the version I posted above also. Keeps me from dumb-thumbing the thing after I got a bunch of numbers punched in.

[LuvMy1911]

Ohhh! What a great little tool for calculating alloy mix!

That is just what a newbie like me needs...

Thanks for sharing this!

[montana_charlie]

I have downloded a number of these 'calculators'. I shoot only lead and tin. so those did little for me, and the calculations always came out wrong.

This one works.

I have an issue with the Brinell Hardness Numbers, but I can live with the discrepancy.
CM

[bumpo628]

MC:
If there are any errors in the Brinell numbers, let me know.

I am always trying to improve the data. What is in there right now is the best I could find so far. Some of the info came from published sources and others from various websites.

[KYCaster]

OK, I have questions.............lots of questions.

I suppose your calculator makes sense to those who are computer literate, but I'm not one of them. :oops:

I have pure lead.....lots of pure lead, some mono type and various sources of Sn....40/60, 60/40, 50/50, 95/5, pewter, etc.

What I want is 100 lbs. of 92-6-2 alloy.

How do I use the calculator to select the proper amounts of the various metals in my stash to produce the desired alloy?

Can somebody help me out here?

Jerry (Just an analog guy tryin' to get by in a digital world)

[MARCORVET]

Not quite sure that I understand how to use it!!

[bumpo628]

I have pure lead.....lots of pure lead, some mono type and various sources of Sn....40/60, 60/40, 50/50, 95/5, pewter, etc.
What I want is 100 lbs. of 92-6-2 alloy.
How do I use the calculator to select the proper amounts of the various metals in my stash to produce the desired alloy?

It can take a bit of trial and error to find the mix you're looking for. Sometimes it is just is not possible to get the exact percentages with the ingredients you have.

In your example, you said you want to make 2% tin, 6% antimony, 92% lead (aka Hardball). If your only source of antimony is Monotype, then the best you can do is:
13 lbs Pure Lead + 6 lbs Monotype = alloy with 2.84% tin, 6% antimony, 91.2% lead

Here's how I did it:
Clear the numbers out of the yellow input column.
Add 10 lbs to the pure lead box.
Add 5 lbs to the monotype box. (The alloy so far is 3% tin, 6.33% antimony)
There is twice as much lead as mono and the antimony is too high, so I tried some combinations where the pure lead was a little more than 2:1.
Pretty soon I found a mix (13:6) that had the antimony exactly at 6%.
Since the tin is over the goal of 2%, you don't need to add some solder.

If you had some linotype or some magnum shot, you could adjust the numbers until you found a better match. When you find a mix that you like, you can always save a copy and rename it or print it out and add them to a recipe book.

Let me know if this answers your questions.
(and MARCORVET too)

[KYCaster]

Thanks for the reply Bumpo. That's exactly what I've been doing with a calculator. I was hoping I could find an easy way to "reverse engineer" it without the guess work.

Jerry

[RG1911]

Spreadsheets! I keep throwing garlic and holy water at them, but they don't die!

Okay, now that I've gotten that out of my system, I *think* I understand how the SS at the beginning of this thread works.

Assuming I have COWW, linotype, and 63/37 bar solder, to make 20 pounds of an alloy approaching Lyman #2, I would use 1 pound of the solder, 7 pounds of virgin linotype, and 12 pounds of wheel weights.

Antimony (6%) and arsenic (0.5%) would be a bit over the Lyman #2, and tin (4.85%) and lead (89%) would be a hair less. I'm assuming this would not noticeably affect the performance of the boolit.

Is all this correct?

Thank you,
Richard

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

RG,
you numbers are correct.

BUT, I have changed my copy of the spread sheet so Sb content of COWW is 2%. My COWW does not measure 12 BHN, so I don't think it's 3% as Bumpo has put on the original Spread sheet.
SO, when I run your numbers through my copy of the spread sheet I get less Sb...like 5.4%
and arsenic is 0.15%

end result...does it matter ?
For most of our use, I don't think so.
Jon

[bumpo628]

Assuming I have COWW, linotype, and 63/37 bar solder, to make 20 pounds of an alloy approaching Lyman #2, I would use 1 pound of the solder, 7 pounds of virgin linotype, and 12 pounds of wheel weights.
Is all this correct?


Yep, you got it.
1 lb 63/37 solder
7 lbs linotype
12 lbs clip-on WW (assuming 0.5% sn/3% sb)
= alloy with 4.85% tin, 6% antimony, 0.15% arsenic, 89% lead.

However, if you want to make Lyman #2, a better mix would be:
1 lb 63/37 solder
4 lbs linotype
12 lbs clip-on WW (assuming 0.5% sn/3% sb)
= alloy with 5% tin, 4.94% antimony, 0.18% arsenic, 89.9% lead.

As mentioned above, it would be a good idea to lower the antimony percentage on the WW column from 3% to 2% since there is a lot of evidence to support that lately. Next time I release an update, I will change that too.

If we change the WW to 2% sb, then use:
1 lb 63/37 solder
5.5 lbs linotype
11.5 lbs clip-on WW (assuming 0.5% sn/2% sb)
= alloy with 5.04% tin, 4.94% antimony, 0.16% arsenic, 89.9% lead.

[kelbro]

Bumpo, thanks again for creating/updating this.

[Hondo 60]

bumpo628 - thanks for the calculator.
As a newbie looking into casting is a bit overwhelming.
Thanks again, this helps!

[boogerloo]

Thanks for the calculator from me too! A few questions, I mixed pure lead 100 lbs and linotype 20 lbs. The chart shows 10.6 Brinell. I already have this smelted and in ingots.Is that hard enough for 357 or 44,45 colt? I find that if I mix 15 lbs of 38 % tin and 20 lbs super hard to the mix I get 15.2 Brinell or basically Lyman #2. Would you water quench it or will it get too hard?
Is there a place here that shows the different brinell hardness for different bullets and fps wanted?

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

I've been meaning to say this for a while, but thank you very much for this Bumpo, I used it frequently, and I don't know if you remember this, but it was VERY helpful when I bought that merit babbitt and wanted to turn it into 1-3-96.

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

Thanks for the calculator from me too! A few questions, I mixed pure lead 100 lbs and linotype 20 lbs. The chart shows 10.6 Brinell. I already have this smelted and in ingots.Is that hard enough for 357 or 44,45 colt? I find that if I mix 15 lbs of 38 % tin and 20 lbs super hard to the mix I get 15.2 Brinell or basically Lyman #2. Would you water quench it or will it get too hard?
Is there a place here that shows the different brinell hardness for different bullets and fps wanted?

10.6 is perfect for 45 colt, for the magnums I would either water quench OR gas check, it would be unnecessary to do both, and it would be equally unnecessary to add all that extra tin and/or antimony.

[JWFilips]

Thank You Bumpo this is a great tool I'm new to casting but so far I have made 2 different alloys and they both tested out very close to your BHN numbers that are calculated. I have checked the alloys with my pencil set ( another great tool).

I do have a few questions:

To start with where would "soft sheet lead" and "x-ray sheeting lead" fall into this calculator?
Is soft sheet lead pure lead or a mix?
I figured that isotope lead as you have listed would cover X-Ray lead..... Correct?

Your two "custom" alloy rows work great for me to plug in my own custom made up alloys ( when I have some left overs from a casting session) All I have to do is weigh the left overs and plug that amount in my next alloy mix so there is no guessing what amounts of metal I have in the existing alloy.

Also What I like to do is when I calculate an alloy I like, I copy that page into a new tab and re-name the tab based on the BHN mix then save the document.
This way I can just tab back to any of the mixes I have made & duplicate them. Super tool!

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

I figured that isotope lead as you have listed would cover X-Ray lead..... Correct?

There is a thread on here, under the lead and lead alloys sections (I'd link it but I couldn't quickly find it), that discusses x-ray foil alloy, I know that my dental x-ray foil is Kodak brand so it is 1.5% tin, 1.5% antimony, and 97% lead, some other brands are closer to pure (e.g. 0.5-1% tin/99.5-99% lead, like stick on wheel weights).

[bumpo628]

First of all, thanks for all of the great feedback. I'm glad the calculator is helping you guys out.


To start with where would "soft sheet lead" and "x-ray sheeting lead" fall into this calculator?

Isotope lead is used for the medical isotope containers. There are two different alloys typically found out there and they are both on the calculator already. X-ray sheeting is usually used to cover the walls in an x-ray room for shielding. Soft sheet lead and x-ray sheeting lead *should* be pure lead. If you can fold it and dent it with your fingernail easily, then I would just treat it as pure. Dental lead foil that is used for teeth x-rays is a different alloy, but Noc covered that already.

[DxF]

Hello, and my first post :-)

Mostly I cast for BP-- muzzleloader and cartridge (.45-70). The gov't load for the Trapdoor specified a 20:1 Pb:Sn alloy. So, suppose I had 10lb of lead (from a torn-down roofing job) and a bunch of 50:50 wire solder. How much solder would I have to add to get that 20:1 ratio?

Here's where some math comes in. The '10' refers to the 10lb of lead I started with... but this logic works for any starting weight. 'X' is how much solder I need to add; half of that would be lead and the other half, tin. Hence, X/2 in the formula:

10+X/2
---------
X/2
= (sorry for the lame format, BB code doesn't support multiline expressions)
20
------
1


10+X/2 = 20X/2


10+X/2 = 10X


10 = 10X - X/2


10 = X(10 - 1/2)


10 = 9.5X


10/9.5 = X (eq. 1)


X = 1.05 (close enough)


So I'd have to add 1.05lb of solder to 10lb pure lead to get 11.05lb of 20:1 alloy. If you start with something other than 10lb of lead, simply substitute that number for the 10 in eq. 1 and do the division. Example: say you start with 9lb lead, then to that you'd need to add 9/9.5 = 0.95lb (about 14oz) solder. If you need a different alloy (say, 16:1) then substitute 16 for the starting 20 and re-do the algebra.

HTH, and I realize this doesn't help with the antimony. More reason to shoot BP, ya ask me. ;-)

[Kull]

Thanks for the spreadsheet. This will come in handy.

[high standard 40]

Bumpo,
Great spreadsheet. It is very useful and a great asset. I do have some questions about results I get.

1. Why is 40/60 solder showing a higher BH than 50/50 even though the former has less tin content than the later?
2. Why does an alloy of 40% pure tin and 60% pure lead show a BH of 20.2 when 40/60 solder shows a BH of 15?

Please let me add that I am not a metalurgist and I'm not questioning the accuracy of the spreadsheet, I'm just trying to understand. I'm looking for knowledge. I do know that sometimes two components melted together can yield a higher BH than either of their individual factors would imply. I must confess that his solder thing has me confused.

Thanks again.

[bumpo628]

1. Why is 40/60 solder showing a higher BH than 50/50 even though the former has less tin content than the later?
2. Why does an alloy of 40% pure tin and 60% pure lead show a BH of 20.2 when 40/60 solder shows a BH of 15?

The Brinell numbers listed on the right were gathered from various websites and publications. Since they came from different sources, I can not guarantee the accuracy. For example, try searching for the hardness of linotype. You'll find several different numbers varying by +/- 3 bhn or so.
If anyone can find a good source of data that lists several alloy hardness's, please let me know and I'll update the info.

The formula used to calculate the Brinell hardness comes from Rotometals. I have noticed that it is not very accurate unless there are 1% or more of both tin and antimony. For example, check the numbers for Lyman #2 and Hardball. The calculations are much closer to the published hardness values.

Thanks

[Grump]

Bumpo:

Either I'm doing something wrong or the estimated BHN formula is jacked up.

I have a quantity of BHN 22 alloy which I entered as Linotype or something.

I have about 1/3 of that, of a BHN 14 alloy, don't remember what version I entered it, but it was a typical lead/tin/little bit of antimony blend.

The spreadsheet estimates the mix of the two as BHN 10.5 or so.

Is this somehow beyond the capabilities of the estimating formula you derived from your sources???

[Grump]

Oh nevermind.

I had added a row for my purchased lead cache to enter its percentages, but did not add that new row's cell references to the calculation formula. Never can figure out what Excel adjusts automatically when I move stuff around/add new stuff....

[Schuetzum Phast]

Using this calculator trying to achieve a 15BHN using monotype and lead sheeting off a roof. I come up with 90% lead and 10% mono. Is this correct? Does anyone have a better formula using lead and mono to achieve a 15BHN? I haven't used any of this mono before and want to make sure I get this correct.

~Thanks

[Walstr]

bumpo;

I'm new here, but familiar with Excel...when I click on your link: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=105952
I get directed to a page of this web's blog, not any spreadsheet? h e l p?

[bumpo628]

The spreadsheet is attached to the first post as a zip file.
Castboolits does not let you attach .xls format docs for some reason.
You'll need winzip, winrar, or a similar program to upzip the file.

[bumpo628]

Using this calculator trying to achieve a 15BHN using monotype and lead sheeting off a roof. I come up with 90% lead and 10% mono. Is this correct? Does anyone have a better formula using lead and mono to achieve a 15BHN? I haven't used any of this mono before and want to make sure I get this correct.
~Thanks

Try 20% mono & 80% lead. That will get you closer.
According to the hardness estimate, you'll need to use 30% mono & 70% lead to actually get 15 bhn.

I would try all three to see if it works the way you want. The least amount that works the better to stretch out your mono supply.

[Schuetzum Phast]

Thanks bumpo628. I appreciate your input.

sP

[ColColt]

I never have figured this calculator out. English was my best subject. I need to make a batch of 1:20 boolits. What I have is a lot of lead, some Linotype, one pound of pure tin and about 100 pounds of WW's. What do I have to mix with what to get that BHN10 needed.

[bumpo628]

I never have figured this calculator out. English was my best subject. I need to make a batch of 1:20 boolits. What I have is a lot of lead, some Linotype, one pound of pure tin and about 100 pounds of WW's. What do I have to mix with what to get that BHN10 needed.

If you put 20 lbs in the pure lead box and 1 lb in the pure tin box, you'll get an alloy that matches the specs shown in the 20:1 row.

[ColColt]

I figured that. I was trying to come up with adding X amount of lead to WW's to equal that alloy. Tin itself is most expensive at about $15-20/pound.

[michiganvet]

There is a marvelous article in Handloader #50, July-August 1974 that helped me turn a goodly amount of lino obtained by helping move printing machines in a local school, into lyman #2. The numbers came out exactly as predicted from the metals combined. Only works with lead, tin, and antimony, though

[ColColt]

50/50 lead to LT will give a BHN15...about Lyman#2. At least the stash of LT I have does.

[michiganvet]

Lino will vary in composition depending on what type of printing it was intended for and how many times it has been recast. You need to cast a pure lead bullet and then your particular LT in the same mold , then compare the specific gravity of your LT to determine what you have.

[meeesterpaul]

Here is an alloy that might fit on one end of your scale and a piece of lino.
8100381004
I can sell some of the letterpress type that I have. Which page should I list it on? What alloy should I make the ingots - or - do any of you want the hard stuff as is (lots of small pieces)?

[1bilmr59]

I liked this thread good info.

[ColColt]

Many moons ago I worked in a print shop part time while going to college and ran an offset press as well as an old Kluge which you had to set the type to print. I bought a passel of that stuff for 25 cents/lb and actually had so much, I still have some of it.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x220/ColColt/Misc%20Stuff/_DEF3849.jpg (http://s180.photobucket.com/user/ColColt/media/Misc%20Stuff/_DEF3849.jpg.html)

[hanleyfan]

why won't Adobe reader run this? the only thing I found to run this on my windows 8 computer is office excel and I am not going to pay 130.00 just to run this program. My old Vista computer ran this on adobe but not my new one.

[JWFilips]

why won't Adobe reader run this? the only thing I found to run this on my windows 8 computer is office excel and I am not going to pay 130.00 just to run this program. My old Vista computer ran this on adobe but not my new one.

No need to spend money on Bill Gates Software
Go to www.openoffice.org (http://www.openoffice.org) & down load the freeware version of Microsoft office The spread sheet app runs it flawlessly

[bangerjim]

why won't Adobe reader run this? the only thing I found to run this on my windows 8 computer is office excel and I am not going to pay 130.00 just to run this program. My old Vista computer ran this on adobe but not my new one.

Well......is IS an Excel spreadsheet and it DOES run in MS Excel......not Adobe reader.

The zip file is only because this site will not allow raw files.........only compressed.

I can even run this on my iPhone and iPad with absolutely NO problem.

bangerjim

[junkman1967]

Download open office. Its free and has a program to run excell

[Quovardis]

Guys,

I have a question on the BHN calc, rotometals (and Bumpys cals) formula states this 8.60 + ( 0.29 * %Tin ) + ( 0.92 * %Antimony)

This suggests to me that the base BHN for pure lead is 8.6 and if I use the calc with say 10lbs of lead it indeed comes up with a hardness of 8.6.

However from what I can see online and on Bumpys calc the BHN of pure lead is 5, taking this into consideration would the correct formula be: 5.00 + ( 0.29 * %Tin ) + ( 0.92 * %Antimony)?

Dont mean to pick any holes or anything and the fact that im a noob means that for sure could be missing something....

[bangerjim]

Guys,

I have a question on the BHN calc, rotometals (and Bumpys cals) formula states this 8.60 + ( 0.29 * %Tin ) + ( 0.92 * %Antimony)

This suggests to me that the base BHN for pure lead is 8.6 and if I use the calc with say 10lbs of lead it indeed comes up with a hardness of 8.6.

However from what I can see online and on Bumpys calc the BHN of pure lead is 5, taking this into consideration would the correct formula be: 5.00 + ( 0.29 * %Tin ) + ( 0.92 * %Antimony)?

Dont mean to pick any holes or anything and the fact that im a noob means that for sure could be missing something....

I think this is the best it can get!!

Try plugging just 1# in to Hard Ball or Lino or any of the alloys and the "Est. hardness" at the bottom is usually always wrong. It only works for certain alloys............ but the rest are way off.

Try 1# of PURE TIN!!!!!!!!!! O....M....G!

Using 5 in the formula REALLY makes all the others even more *****.

Use this as a SWAG. Hardness is a relative thing anyway!

bangerjim

[DK1911]

Bumpo et al:

I've worked with your calculator for the last year or so as I've scrounged for lead. I really like the tool, admire the work it took to make and I recently started trying to alloy for hardness. I am seeing some of the same differences "et al" is seeing. Rotometals has a linear equation starting at 8.6 HB. A reference on LASC has the same linear equation starting from 5 HB.
I'd like to do some experiments to look at the lower end of the Tin, Antimony concentrations. I THINK there may be higher order (squared, cubed) or even exponential equations that may fit the data better for calculations of air cooled alloys.
Has there been anyone publish (or link to) work like this here already? There's a ton of posts here. If someone's done it, I'd like to see what they found.
My thoughts: 99.9% pure lead, 100% pure tin, Rotometals superhard (30% antimony). Walk the concentrations up in 1% steps to 5% tin, 6% antimony (30 samples) and check HB at each point.

Any "als" have an opinion on this?

[Brucifer]

Thanks Bumpo, Nice. I am slowly getting a handle on your sheet. I have 1 question so far. Why when I enter the same % for a alloy in one of the Custom Alloy rows do I get a higher Brinell? Have I frilled something? Wait that 2 ??

[bumpo628]

A reference on LASC has the same linear equation starting from 5 HB.
I'm glad you are getting some use out of the calculator. Do you have a link for the LASC formula?


I have 1 question so far. Why when I enter the same % for a alloy in one of the Custom Alloy rows do I get a higher Brinell? Have I frilled something? Wait that 2 ??
You could try re-downloading it and see if the problem is still there. Otherwise, if you click on the box with the hardness on the right it should say: ="Brinell "&ROUND((8.6+(0.29*B43*100)+(0.92*C43*100)),0) on the top one and ="Brinell "&ROUND((8.6+(0.29*B44*100)+(0.92*C44*100)),0) on the bottom one. Try entering 5% tin, 5% antimony in both lines. Then try 2% tin and 6% antimony on both lines. Both recipes should calculate 15 bhn according to the formula.

[Brucifer]

The program works great. What I don't understand is why do the Customs show a BHN of 9 for 100% lead? I thought lead was BHN 5. Thanks for all your work

Bruce

[bumpo628]

The program works great. What I don't understand is why do the Customs show a BHN of 9 for 100% lead? I thought lead was BHN 5. Thanks for all your work

Bruce

The only formula I have for estimating hardness starts at about 9. So, it does not work unless the alloy is harder than that. It really only seems to be accurate if the tin and antimony percentages are both 1% or over. So, you just need to recognize the limitations of the formula when you use it. A member above mentioned another formula from LASC that sounds more accurate. I'll update the calculator with the new formula as soon as I get it.

[histed]

Bumpo - thanks for work. I'm just getting started and I was wondering what mixing pure lead and 95/5 solder would give me for hardness. Now I can play to my heart's content and at least have a good guesstimate before I start. Spreadsheets aren't really my thing - course, I remember slide rules and colored chalk as "high tech".

[tking308]

This must have been a labor of love. Thank you for your work.

[larrymac1]

bumpo, Thanks for the calculator. Quick couple of questions. When calculating for superhard do I just put the percentage under antimony? Is it possible to do a reverse calculator? Put in the lead weight and the BN hardness you want and let it calculate in reverse? Also thinking of conversion although most times it is simple, but my simple brain has a problem with it. Suppose you had 43 pounds of lead and you wanted to get a BN of 13. The reverse calculator would tell you the percentages but superhard is not marked in percentages it is marked by weight. So if the reverse calculator said you needed 5% superhard and 2.5% of tin what would be the actual weights for the 43 pounds? I can do it in 10 pound lots easily enough, which would be 1/2 pound of superhard and 1/4 pound of tin. I can do that in my pour pot but if I am smelting for the first time and I have 75# of wheel weights and want to pour the ingots with the correct amount of additives how can I calculate that? Sorry just sort of dim on math these days.

[bumpo628]

bumpo, Thanks for the calculator. Quick couple of questions. When calculating for superhard do I just put the percentage under antimony? Is it possible to do a reverse calculator? Put in the lead weight and the BN hardness you want and let it calculate in reverse? Also thinking of conversion although most times it is simple, but my simple brain has a problem with it. Suppose you had 43 pounds of lead and you wanted to get a BN of 13. The reverse calculator would tell you the percentages but superhard is not marked in percentages it is marked by weight. So if the reverse calculator said you needed 5% superhard and 2.5% of tin what would be the actual weights for the 43 pounds? I can do it in 10 pound lots easily enough, which would be 1/2 pound of superhard and 1/4 pound of tin. I can do that in my pour pot but if I am smelting for the first time and I have 75# of wheel weights and want to pour the ingots with the correct amount of additives how can I calculate that? Sorry just sort of dim on math these days.

Superhard is already on the list - it is the 12th item down from the top. You just need to put the weight in pounds in the yellow column.

For the two custom alloy rows towards the bottom, you enter the percentages of the alloy components in the five boxes (Sn, Sb, As, Cu, Ag) and the remainder of lead is filled in for you. Excel is a bit funny in that to enter 30% for example, you can type in "30" or ".3". However, to enter 0.5%, you have to type in ".005".

When trying to calculate an alloy like your example, first I enter the pure lead (43 lbs). Then I add some tin and adjust the weight until it gets around 2%. After that, add in the superhard weight and adjust until it gets to either the percentage or hardness you want. Fine tune both as needed.
For your example, I came up with the following:
43 lbs of pure lead + 1 lb of pure tin + 7 lbs of superhard = alloy with 2% tin, 4% antimony, 94% lead, and a Brinell hardness @ 13

Once you find a recipe you like: to make larger or smaller batches, just multiply or divide all the numbers in the recipe by the same number. In the example above, if you wanted a 10 lb batch (total weight) you would divide all the numbers by 5.1. You get the 5.1 by comparing the two batches total weights (51 lbs / 10 lbs = 5.1). The new recipe would be:
8.4 lbs of pure lead + 0.2 lbs of pure tin + 1.4 lbs of superhard = alloy with 2% tin, 4% antimony, 94% lead, and a Brinell hardness @ 13

For your 75 lb WW batch question, you just need to enter the known amounts and use trial and error with the weights of your additives to get what you want. There are several ways to do it depending on what you have on hand. I like to print out the recipes and put them in sheet protectors in a binder when I find one I like so I don't have to fiddle around with the numbers next time.

Finally, I really like your reverse calculator idea. I don't think I could do it for all the items on the list, but maybe I could make one that just used a few components. I think lead, tin, and superhard would be a good start. I'll give it some thought and see if I can come up with something.

[popper]

1st, reverse calculator don't think it will work. 2nd, BHN is over-rated. Too many ways to get the same number, depends on when the test is done, etc. The calculator is GREAT for getting consistent batches of alloy, experimenting with different alloys, etc.

[larrymac1]

Superhard is already on the list - it is the 12th item down from the top. You just need to put the weight in pounds in the yellow column.

For the two custom alloy rows towards the bottom, you enter the percentages of the alloy components in the five boxes (Sn, Sb, As, Cu, Ag) and the remainder of lead is filled in for you. Excel is a bit funny in that to enter 30% for example, you can type in "30" or ".3". However, to enter 0.5%, you have to type in ".005".

When trying to calculate an alloy like your example, first I enter the pure lead (43 lbs). Then I add some tin and adjust the weight until it gets around 2%. After that, add in the superhard weight and adjust until it gets to either the percentage or hardness you want. Fine tune both as needed.
For your example, I came up with the following:
43 lbs of pure lead + 1 lb of pure tin + 7 lbs of superhard = alloy with 2% tin, 4% antimony, 94% lead, and a Brinell hardness @ 13

Once you find a recipe you like: to make larger or smaller batches, just multiply or divide all the numbers in the recipe by the same number. In the example above, if you wanted a 10 lb batch (total weight) you would divide all the numbers by 5.1. You get the 5.1 by comparing the two batches total weights (51 lbs / 10 lbs = 5.1). The new recipe would be:
8.4 lbs of pure lead + 0.2 lbs of pure tin + 1.4 lbs of superhard = alloy with 2% tin, 4% antimony, 94% lead, and a Brinell hardness @ 13

For your 75 lb WW batch question, you just need to enter the known amounts and use trial and error with the weights of your additives to get what you want. There are several ways to do it depending on what you have on hand. I like to print out the recipes and put them in sheet protectors in a binder when I find one I like so I don't have to fiddle around with the numbers next time.

Finally, I really like your reverse calculator idea. I don't think I could do it for all the items on the list, but maybe I could make one that just used a few components. I think lead, tin, and superhard would be a good start. I'll give it some thought and see if I can come up with something.

Here is the weight formula I put together.

Column B is B(line #)*H(line number) In using your chart it would be B47*H47 That would give you tin Then to column C and the same basic formula =SUM(C47*H47) etc. You don't need a total pounds column since you are drawing that from line 47.

I hope this is understandable. Set your percentages in line 47 and the weight calculator part will do the rest.

BHN will take some thinking but it can be done.

[meeesterpaul]

Hope you aren't bored or numb to compliments and appreciation for this calculator. Thanks a bunch. Can I send you a box of letterpress to show my appreciation?
I have a lot of trays of sorted letterpress. I have had them XRF scanned. I'd like to make a line entry for each sample. Can I copy your Custom Alloy lines and reinsert them multiple times? I have tried it and it doesn't seem to carry the automated calculations over to the new line.
Also, I don't see a change in the BHN number when I use a custom alloy with Cu in it. Is there a line that has the Cu influence on hardness built into it; that I can customize with the other XRF scan results of Sn Sb and Pb content of a sample?
TY again

[bumpo628]

Hope you aren't bored or numb to compliments and appreciation for this calculator. Thanks a bunch. Can I send you a box of letterpress to show my appreciation?
I have a lot of trays of sorted letterpress. I have had them XRF scanned. I'd like to make a line entry for each sample. Can I copy your Custom Alloy lines and reinsert them multiple times? I have tried it and it doesn't seem to carry the automated calculations over to the new line.
Also, I don't see a change in the BHN number when I use a custom alloy with Cu in it. Is there a line that has the Cu influence on hardness built into it; that I can customize with the other XRF scan results of Sn Sb and Pb content of a sample?
TY again

I'm glad you enjoy it. I'm afraid the custom lines can't be copied unless you rewrote the other formulas. I limited it to two lines in order to fit on one page when printed. You could copy the lines and hit "paste special" then select "values" on a separate sheet. The hardness formula from rotometals only accounts for tin and antimony, but not copper or silver. Although both of those will increase the hardness.

Thanks,
bumpo628

[meeesterpaul]

I'm glad you enjoy it. I'm afraid the custom lines can't be copied unless you rewrote the other formulas.
I limited it to two lines in order to fit on one page when printed. You could copy the lines and hit "paste special" then select "values" on a separate sheet.
The hardness formula from rotometals only accounts for tin and antimony, but not copper or silver. Although both of those will increase the hardness.

>>>Do you mean the formulas built into the cell on that line?
>>>could the whole line, with formulas, replace one of the other lines on the page?
>>>It looks like Cu affected BHN about the same, or a little more than Sb judging by the line with PB/Cu only.
Now to find out whether it's better to harden with Cu or SB? I wonder if the 6% Sb brittleness can be worked around using Cu. Anyone have any info on that? If it is a good alternative it may be worth doing the copper sulfate-zinc swap steps.

[Greebe]

Thanks for the time creating this calculator and sharing it with us.

However I can not get it to output the right numbers. They seem a bit off. Maybe I am doing something wrong.

For instance it shows the following info:

Foundrytype 15.00%(Tin) 23.00%(Antimony) 0% 0% 0% 62.0%(Lead) --Brinell 30
-Now if we enter the quantities in the calculator it outputs 34.1

10 to 1 9.09%(Tin) 0% 0% 0% 0% 90.9%(Lead) -- Brinell 12
-calculator output is 11.3

Hardball Alloy 2.00%(Tin) 6.00%(Antimony) 0% 0% 0% 92.0%(Lead) -- Brinell 16
-calculator output is 14.7

I get the same discrepancy for most of them. I hope this does not come off as being nit picky or ungrateful, I just wanted to bring it to your attention as it seems that something is not quite right.

Thanks
Greebe

[bumpo628]

Thanks for the time creating this calculator and sharing it with us.

However I can not get it to output the right numbers. They seem a bit off. Maybe I am doing something wrong.

For instance it shows the following info:

Foundrytype 15.00%(Tin) 23.00%(Antimony) 0% 0% 0% 62.0%(Lead) --Brinell 30
-Now if we enter the quantities in the calculator it outputs 34.1

10 to 1 9.09%(Tin) 0% 0% 0% 0% 90.9%(Lead) -- Brinell 12
-calculator output is 11.3

Hardball Alloy 2.00%(Tin) 6.00%(Antimony) 0% 0% 0% 92.0%(Lead) -- Brinell 16
-calculator output is 14.7

I get the same discrepancy for most of them. I hope this does not come off as being nit picky or ungrateful, I just wanted to bring it to your attention as it seems that something is not quite right.

Thanks
Greebe

I'm glad you're getting some use out of it.
The hardness values listed to the right of the alloys are published data. The number produced from the custom alloy line or the mixed alloy line is based on a formula provided by rotometals. It's accuracy is limited, but it is the only formula I could find. The formula is most accurate when tin and antimony are at least 1%. Even the published vales vary a bit depending on the source.

[ShootR]

Bumpo628, Thanks for your hard work and sharing the calculator. I read all of the posts and plugged in some different alloy hardness numbers and figured what is needed to make a little harder alloy. I have tested each ingot I have and have noticed that my COWW and range lead varies from batch to batch. Your calculator helps me make a more consistent final alloy.

[pistolman44]

For some reason my computer with Windows 8 won't allow me to down load this file.

[bumpo628]

For some reason my computer with Windows 8 won't allow me to down load this file.

There is no reason windows 8 will not do it....maybe it just put the file in a default location. Check to see where downloaded files are saved. Otherwise, download from another computer and email it to yourself.

[kelbro]

Is 070612 the last update?

[bumpo628]

Is 070612 the last update?
Yes it is.
By the way, I always attach the latest revision to the first post.

[kelbro]

Thanks. Really appreciate your effort on this.

[inspector_17]

Thanks for all the painstaking work in getting this collected, put together and Updated!

As a side note if you don't have MS Office, Open Office does work, and it is a free download.

[tryn2rest]

Thank you for this tool. While it took me a few tries to use it once I got it down it works great!! Now how do I add water quenching to the equation? (LOL)

[fatelvis]

Damn, these calculators wont open on my computer. It uses Windows 8.

[bangerjim]

Damn, these calculators wont open on my computer. It uses Windows 8.


It's just a plain old Excel sheet. I can even open it on my iPhone and iPad!

I do not like Win 8. Still use 7 Ultimate and it opens great in Excel. Are you sure you have the appropriate program??????

banger

[62chevy]

Works fine on Linux, Debian Testing, with LibreOffice.

[bumpo628]

Damn, these calculators wont open on my computer. It uses Windows 8.

I bought a couple windows 8 computers recently and they don't even come with a trial version of Office anymore. You can install an old copy if you have it or download OpenOffice for free.

[CPL Lou]

Any chance of getting Rotometals Super Tough added to the list ?
Thanks !!!!

CPL Lou

[bumpo628]

C
Any chance of getting Rotometals Super Tough added to the list ?
Thanks !!!!

CPL Lou

There are so many kinds of babbitt, I just couldn't fit them in there. However, you can put the percentages in one of the custom alloy lines. You can rename it to Super Tough as well and save it on your copy. I would use 84% tin, 8% antimony, and 8% copper for the values.

Thanks
- bumpo628

[CPL Lou]

Thanks !
I'll give that a try.

CPL Lou

[Cornbread]

I stuck a copy out on Google docs so people without Excel can access it and fiddle around with their own calculations:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OZF6XGt8lmmsqQYbtbMbNdEPtVNRaJxHiOtaZiEMG2s/edit?usp=sharing

[62chevy]

Works great on LiberOffice with Linux. Works on Windows too. get your copy here: http://www.libreoffice.org/

[jwber]

I stuck a copy out on Google docs so people without Excel can access it and fiddle around with their own calculations:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OZF6XGt8lmmsqQYbtbMbNdEPtVNRaJxHiOtaZiEMG2s/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks, I just made a copy and saved it to my Google Drive so I can view on my Nexus. No more having to fire up the ol'e desktop to do a quick calculation.

[Cornbread]

Thanks, I just made a copy and saved it to my Google Drive so I can view on my Nexus. No more having to fire up the ol'e desktop to do a quick calculation.

No problem. I hope more people can use it this way. Saves having to have a desktop install of some type of Office or Freeware/Open Source Office and people can use it from smartphones etc.

[meeesterpaul]

Spreadsheet Wish List.
(first of all Thanks to all who make these available)
- I'd like a lot more custom alloy lines. Any suggestions on how to copy the full line and function to insert on a fresh line?
- A custom alloy line that can handle under 1% of a element
- bismuth
I have access to an XRF scanner and have detailed readouts on a whole bunch of different materials, from range lead, boat ballast shot, all types of letterpress type, linotype with different ratios etc. and I'd like to create a line for each item as scanned. BTW - I almost never see used linotype at 4/12/84. More typically it might be 2.8/10/88.2 range.
Now to go try garandsrus' Cast Bullet Alloy calculator and see if I can do those sub 1% elements in a mix.

[bumpo628]

Spreadsheet Wish List.
(first of all Thanks to all who make these available)
- I'd like a lot more custom alloy lines. Any suggestions on how to copy the full line and function to insert on a fresh line?
- A custom alloy line that can handle under 1% of a element
- bismuth
I have access to an XRF scanner and have detailed readouts on a whole bunch of different materials, from range lead, boat ballast shot, all types of letterpress type, linotype with different ratios etc. and I'd like to create a line for each item as scanned. BTW - I almost never see used linotype at 4/12/84. More typically it might be 2.8/10/88.2 range.
Now to go try garandsrus' Cast Bullet Alloy calculator and see if I can do those sub 1% elements in a mix.

I added 15 custom lines for you (now there is a total of 17). That was the most I could fit and still have all the data print on one page. The notes are now on the second page.
112871

The calculator can handle percentages under 1%, but you have to input the numbers in a particular way. I don't know why Excel works this way [smilie=b:, but here is what you need to do: If you enter "1", it will input 1%. If you enter ".01", it will input 1%. So, to enter percentages under 1% you need to type them in decimal form. For 0.5%, enter ".005". For 0.17%, enter ".0017".

As for bismuth, I will try and squeeze another column in the next time I revise the calculator.

Thanks,
- bumpo628

[meicalnissyen]

I hope I have not missed the obvious link, but I was looking for a simple percentage calculator to blend 2 known alloys to get a target alloy

in this case, I have 94/6/0, 92/2/6, and 70/0/30

I can take 5 lbs each of the first two and get 10lbs of 86/8/6
my immediate goal is to figure out, (without revisiting the tumors I got from 1976 algebra 1)
how many ounces of the 70/0/30 to add to end up with 84/8/8

which the lovely excel tool in this thread shows as 18bn and has that nice SnSb balance I was reading about in "ingot to target"

sorry if this has been answered 47 times, and I missed it, couldn't find one in my online math calc links either

[meicalnissyen]

I went with the tumor, actually just a small aneurism
need 2% Sb
70000gr/2%=1400gr
1lb of 70/30 has 2100gr of Sb

a nice 2:3 relationship
so, I need 10.666666666667 oz of the 70/30 to each 10lb of the parent mix
or 11oz to correct for the small amount of added lead from the 70/30

Thanks for reading

and correct me if I effed up the calc

I hope I have not missed the obvious link, but I was looking for a simple percentage calculator to blend 2 known alloys to get a target alloy

in this case, I have 94/6/0, 92/2/6, and 70/0/30

I can take 5 lbs each of the first two and get 10lbs of 86/8/6
my immediate goal is to figure out, (without revisiting the tumors I got from 1976 algebra 1)
how many ounces of the 70/0/30 to add to end up with 84/8/8

which the lovely excel tool in this thread shows as 18bn and has that nice SnSb balance I was reading about in "ingot to target"

sorry if this has been answered 47 times, and I missed it, couldn't find one in my online math calc links either

[bumpo628]

I have 94/6/0, 92/2/6, and 70/0/30
I can take 5 lbs each of the first two and get 10lbs of 86/8/6
how many ounces of the 70/0/30 to add to end up with 84/8/8


There are a couple problems here. When you mix the first two alloys, you do not end up with an alloy with 8% tin, 6% antimony, 86% lead. You actually get an alloy with 4% tin, 3% antimony, 93% lead. Put your 94/6/0 alloy into one of the custom alloy lines in the calculator and then add 5 lbs to that line and 5 lbs to the "hardball" line and you'll see what I mean. The two alloys percentages average out when they blend, not add together.

Your desired alloy (84/8/8) is too high in tin and antimony, in my opinion. You probably don't need to go higher than 5-6% in either one. Lyman #2 has 5% of each. Hardball has 2% tin, 6% antimony. Both of those alloys have the highest percentages of components that people typically use.

Back to your question:
Due to the averaging effect, you would need to use some pure tin as well to get the tin percentage up to 8%
With the above example, you could add 0.7 lbs pure tin, 2.5 lbs superhard, 5 lbs of the 92/2/6 and 5 lbs of the 94/6/0 to get an alloy with 8% tin, 8% antimony, and 84% lead.

[meeesterpaul]

Super,
Can I send you some alloy as a token of appreciation?

[bumpo628]

Super,
Can I send you some alloy as a token of appreciation?

I appreciate the thought, but I'm just glad to help members out here any way I can. Young and old can learn something new everyday.
Maybe a site donation would be a better way if you can swing it.

[Twmaster]

I'm happy to report this works in Numbers on MacOS 10.9 (Mavericks). Also works in Excel for Mac.

Now a question. Not sure how to use this calculator. I have a lot of 100% pure dead soft lead. I want to harden it up for casting into boolits in the 16 or so Brinnell hardness, or perhaps a little less hard.

How would I use this to figure out how much other stuff to put in?

[Twmaster]

I should add, I have some junk pewter jewelry. Can this be used in the alloy?

[bumpo628]

Now a question. Not sure how to use this calculator. I have a lot of 100% pure dead soft lead. I want to harden it up for casting into boolits in the 16 or so Brinnell hardness, or perhaps a little less hard.

How would I use this to figure out how much other stuff to put in?
(cut-n-paste)
I should add, I have some junk pewter jewelry. Can this be used in the alloy?

You basically have to adjust the numbers by trial and error. Once you get a mix that works, you can scale it up or down to make different amounts.

In your case, you said you wanted to make an alloy about 16 bhn. You'll need something with antimony for that, like rotometals superhard. The cheapest alloy you can make with that hardness (or close) is probably Hardball with 2% tin and 6% antimony.

Here is how I do it:
I put in 10 pounds of pure lead. Then add 1 pound of pewter and that makes the tin over 8%. I tried 1/4 lb of pewter and that is just over 2% tin now. Add 1 pound of superhard and that makes the alloy 2% tin, 2.8% antimony. 2 lbs of superhard makes it 1.9% tin, 5% antimony. 3 lbs superhard makes it 1.75% tin, 6.9% antimony. So, back it down to 2.5 lbs superhard and you have 1.8% tin and 6% antimony. I'd call that close enough and use the final ratio of 10 lbs pure lead + 0.25 lbs pewter + 2.5 lbs superhard.

[Twmaster]

Thanks. I'll see about making that recipe! :D

[meeesterpaul]

I have a lot of different alloys that I just got tested. I plan on making up a couple batches for my own use with the sub 1000fps loads and then some for high speed. I'll have stuff for sale or trade. I'll post the XRF scan results for the different alloys so you can calculate a mix that you might want.

[meeesterpaul]

Lead Alloy Calculators 070612 (with 17 custom alloys).zip (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=112871&d=1407425452).
If this is the most recent update is it also in the first post ( maybe as 080?14?
TY again.

[bumpo628]

If this is the most recent update is it also in the first post ( maybe as 080?14?
TY again.

If you don't need all the extra custom alloy lines, just use the one in the first post. The 070612 (date) is the most recent version.

[meicalnissyen]

OOPss, see, I knew I'd miss something.
So, If I get this guy at work who knows excel to hold my hand, then I CAN use your calculator to do the grunt work
There are a couple problems here. When you mix the first two alloys, you do not end up with an alloy with 8% tin, 6% antimony, 86% lead. You actually get an alloy with 4% tin, 3% antimony, 93% lead. Put your 94/6/0 alloy into one of the custom alloy lines in the calculator and then add 5 lbs to that line and 5 lbs to the "hardball" line and you'll see what I mean. The two alloys percentages average out when they blend, not add together.

Your desired alloy (84/8/8) is too high in tin and antimony, in my opinion. You probably don't need to go higher than 5-6% in either one. Lyman #2 has 5% of each. Hardball has 2% tin, 6% antimony. Both of those alloys have the highest percentages of components that people typically use.

Back to your question:
Due to the averaging effect, you would need to use some pure tin as well to get the tin percentage up to 8%
With the above example, you could add 0.7 lbs pure tin, 2.5 lbs superhard, 5 lbs of the 92/2/6 and 5 lbs of the 94/6/0 to get an alloy with 8% tin, 8% antimony, and 84% lead.

[tmc-okc]

Bumpo628, I thank youfor all the work you have put into this spreadsheet and all the variables you have included. I am a new castor - yet to cast my firstboolit. In fact I haven't even started smelting the 300 + Lbs of WW's I have accumulatedthus far.
I fully understandthat the information you have provided is to be taken with a grain of salt. Asyou have stated repeatedly the values you are using have been obtained frommany different sources and as such are not presented as "Gospel".Therefore I intend to use the chart as a damn good starting point and progressfrom there.
Being a beginner I intend to segregate all the differenttypes I have into 1 Lb ingots of "Pure"ingots - Pure COWW, Pure SOWW, Pure Lead, Pure sheet lead, Pure 50/50 ingots,etc.. My casting pot is only a 5 Lb potand adding product to the pot as I cast will require small known quantities ofknown types as I use from the pot to maintain a proper mixture . Therefore Iwill smelt everything into 1 Lb ingots and then smelt SOME of each type intosmaller 8 Oz, and 4 Oz ingots. That way, as i cast, and I need to add 2 Lbs ofCOWW to my pot I will have smaller ingots of 50/50, SOWW, Pure Lead, etc. I canadd to maintain the approximate mixture I am trying to achieve as dictated bythe spreadsheet.
If when casting I amnot getting good fill or boolits will not fall properly from the mould I can use the smaller quantitiesof 50/50 etc and see what happens without screwing up the whole pot and havingto start all over. I can then record the actual mixture for future casting sessions.
BUT in the end, I will allow the results of what is happeningas I cast and what happens with the boolits going down range to dictate futuremixtures that fit the requirements of my pot, moulds and firearms.
Your spreadsheet is a damn good tool to be used as astarting point to get me in the ballpark right off the bat.
THANK YOU

[mac1911]

I stuck a copy out on Google docs so people without Excel can access it and fiddle around with their own calculations:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OZF6XGt8lmmsqQYbtbMbNdEPtVNRaJxHiOtaZiEMG2s/edit?usp=sharing

OK so I cant get the other version to work to save my life on my PC, so I tried the google doc one but now I cant input my data ? What am I doing wrong

[bumpo628]

OK so I cant get the other version to work to save my life on my PC, so I tried the google doc one but now I cant input my data ? What am I doing wrong

Send me your email address by PM and I'll send you a copy. I don't know why some ppl have issues with getting it to run. You should be able to just unzip the file you downloaded with WinZip or WinRar and run it with MS Office or Open Office.

[wquiles]

Thank you all for all of the work - this is an extremely handy Excel calculator :-)

[Beagle333]

I use it at least every other week. I just mix up my batches by how much I need to refill the pot and this makes it so easy to use different total amounts to get the same ratio.
I love the calculator! :drinks:

[Mike W1]

Just spotted this stickie so I'm having fun playing with your program. Thanks for your work!

On an aside note that Roto Metals formula is supposed to be X not necessarily 8.6 You put the BHN of your particular mix in place of X and calculate and add the other figures to get BHN. Surprised someone hadn't pointed that out before.

[shootzemm58]

Thanks for posting this, i sat down to post a few questions about just this subject. And the cost adjuster is a bonus.

[firefly1957]

I know this question is probably going to start a storm but i have seen nothing here on Mercury which is naturally in lead?
The reason i ask is because a few years ago i scraped the back off a old silver backed mirror the compound it supposed to be silver and mercury rather than toss it in a landfill i added it to my wheel weight pot . Those bullets turned out quite hard there was 8 lbs. of wheel weight lead in it and i may have added a 5 or 6 ounces of backing material. Those bullets have been all shot up most from the 45 acp and some recycled by now again.
Some old timers may remember at one time 1-2% mercury was used to harden lead alloys more of us probably remember using it to remove lead from badly leaded bores.

[bangerjim]

Mercury (Hg) is used today to keep hazmat teams busy cleaning up spills of broken thermometers in school labs!!!!!!!

Hg was used in just about everything back in the day! Watch works were "plated" with gold using a Hg/Au amalgam that was heated up until the Hg fumed off. Not good for breathing but they did not know. Hg was used in blocking felt hats in some way and hence the saying "Mad as a Hatter"...the fumes drove them crazy (called mad hatter syndrome). And I am sure all of you "elders" out there have sliver filling in your mouth just like me. Made of Hg/Ag amalgam pressed into your teeth as a filling. Heaven knows WHERE the Hg went to!!!!!!!!! But we are still here.

banger
(still crazy after all these years!)

[Errokk]

Wish there was an android app of this.

[bumpo628]

Wish there was an android app of this.

I use it on my phone with an app called "docs to go". I'm sure there are other apps that can open excel files too.

[Tenbender]

I'm new to casting so don't laugh at my stupid questions ! lol
Almost every post on casting with WW your adding tin to the mix. Where do you get the tin ?
I have been told that WW material was already hard enough . Like I said, I'm new here and new to casting.
Another thing. I have a good supply of wheel weights. Some are soft and some are pretty hard. I pulled all the steel and zink. Don't understand why some are so much harder than others. They are lead . I cut them with wire pliers.
I will try not to bother you guys much. I'm getting a good education just reading your post.

[JWFilips]

I'm new to casting so don't laugh at my stupid questions ! lol
Almost every post on casting with WW your adding tin to the mix. Where do you get the tin ?
I have been told that WW material was already hard enough . Like I said, I'm new here and new to casting.
Another thing. I have a good supply of wheel weights. Some are soft and some are pretty hard. I pulled all the steel and zink. Don't understand why some are so much harder than others. They are lead . I cut them with wire pliers.
I will try not to bother you guys much. I'm getting a good education just reading your post.


While tin adds a bit of hardness it is not the reason for adding it. It aids in mould fill out. Give you nice crisp grease grooves.
Solves a good bit of new casters problems. You can get tin by using lead free plumbers solder I usually buy wafers of it on e-bay from a reliable vendor. They are usually market price Also Rotometals one of our sponsors here

[largom]

The stick-on wheel weights are almost pure lead. The clip on's are an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony. I have picked up a lot of solder at yard sales for next to nothing.

Larry

[DeadWoodDan]

I gave up, I know I'm feeling like such an underdog for not being able to use something so easy, but am unable to get the results.

I have two specific alloys that were analyzed so I choose the closest description that best fit each alloy. Alloy one was pb 94.82% and bi 2.34%, so I choose "Isotope Lead(ingots)" under the description and placed "1" for one pound in the yellow column for weight. Alloy two was sb 13.42%, sn 5.01%, and pb 80.68". Again I choose best description "Stereotype" and placed "1" in the weight column.

Now assuming I understand ( clearly I'm a goof and want to learn ) the Row "Mixed Alloy" should give me my information? Only number it gave was weight at 2lbs.

So what am I doing wrong and THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the help and making this sheet. I'm finally at a point were if its needed I can really say I know what alloy I have without a doubt.
DWD

[bumpo628]

I have two specific alloys that were analyzed so I choose the closest description that best fit each alloy. Alloy one was pb 94.82% and bi 2.34%, so I choose "Isotope Lead(ingots)" under the description and placed "1" for one pound in the yellow column for weight. Alloy two was sb 13.42%, sn 5.01%, and pb 80.68". Again I choose best description "Stereotype" and placed "1" in the weight column.

Now assuming I understand, the Row "Mixed Alloy" should give me my information? Only number it gave was weight at 2lbs.
DWD


I took some screen shots that might help you. First, I did what you did to see if I could recreate the problem.
134924

Then I entered your actual data into the yellow "custom alloy" lines. The numbers didn't add up to 100% (never do), so I figured out the amount of unknown in each alloy. Alloy one had 2.84% unknown and alloy two had 0.89% unknown.

1. For the first alloy, enter "2.84" in the "copper%" box (we'll use that for unknown for now), enter "2.34" in the "silver%" box (we'll use that for Bi for now), and the lead% will calculate itself.
2. For the second alloy, enter "5.01" in the "tin%" box, "13.42" in the antimony box, ".0089" in the "copper%" box (note the extra zeros needed for excel to enter the number correctly), and the lead% will calculate itself.

You should have an alloy that matches the following attachment:
134925

Let me know if it doesn't work properly or if you have any questions.

Thanks,
- bumpo628

[bottomline]

I spent several hours playing with this thing - love it - Thank you Bumpo628

[rockrat]

Been using this for a long time, but for some reason this morning, I cannot open the file. Just used it last night!!

[bangerjim]

Been using this for a long time, but for some reason this morning, I cannot open the file. Just used it last night!!

What platform are you running?

What software are you using to open the spreadsheet?

I would suggest re-downloading the current file and try the fresh version.

banger

[rockrat]

Tried it on my laptop, works fine. This computer is running xp me IIRC. Did have problems exiting last night, so something happened. About time to replace this thing.

[SniderBoomer]

Just spotted this stickie so I'm having fun playing with your program. Thanks for your work!

On an aside note that Roto Metals formula is supposed to be X not necessarily 8.6 You put the BHN of your particular mix in place of X and calculate and add the other figures to get BHN. Surprised someone hadn't pointed that out before.

+1 I have just figured this out today too.

This really needs explaining at the top, otherwise we never get any mix softer than Brin 8.6

[mac1911]

My computer always had a hard time opening the lead alloy calculator. Now it won't even run?
Is there a Lead Alloy Calculator in the works for smart phones /kindles and the likes?

[bumpo628]

Originally Posted by Mike W1
Just spotted this stickie so I'm having fun playing with your program. Thanks for your work!
On an aside note that Roto Metals formula is supposed to be X not necessarily 8.6 You put the BHN of your particular mix in place of X and calculate and add the other figures to get BHN. Surprised someone hadn't pointed that out before.


Originally Posted by SniderBoomer
+1 I have just figured this out today too.
This really needs explaining at the top, otherwise we never get any mix softer than Brin 8.6

Here is the source of the formula:
http://www.rotometals.com/Bullet-Casting-Alloys-s/5.htm
Basic Rules for Hardening Lead:
For every 1% additional tin, Brinell hardness increases 0.3.
For every 1% additional antimony, Brinell hardness increases 0.9.
For a simple equation,
Brinell = 8.60 + ( 0.29 * Tin ) + ( 0.92 * Antimony )

If you put in the numbers for hardball and lyman #2, the formula comes out very close to the published values using the "8.6" as-is in the formula. The formula does not work well (match published data) unless both tin and antimony percentages are about 1% or more. Of course, you can not get a lower BHN than 8.6 with this formula, but it does not say in the source that it works for every case.

I don't quite understand where the "X" number idea you guys mentioned above comes from.
I would appreciate it if you could explain a bit more.

[bumpo628]

My computer always had a hard time opening the lead alloy calculator. Now it won't even run?
Is there a Lead Alloy Calculator in the works for smart phones /kindles and the likes?

On the desktop, try opening the calculator with OpenOffice if Microsoft Excel doesn't work for you. Or an older version of Excel.
http://www.openoffice.org/download/

On the phone, you can use one of the spreadsheet programs like Docs To Go or Google's Sheets.

[mac1911]

On the desktop, try opening the calculator with OpenOffice if Microsoft Excel doesn't work for you. Or an older version of Excel.
http://www.openoffice.org/download/

On the phone, you can use one of the spreadsheet programs like Docs To Go or Google's Sheets.
Im not sure how I got it to open last few times I know its always a pita. Doesnt look like I have Excel and when I try and get it they want me to pay for it. No not really spending anymore money on this old *** pc. I tried to get it to work with the kindle I really dont know what im doing wrong and never seem to repeat what I do right.

I tried the openoffice down load and all it seem to do was completely change my new tabs all around to some template BS arrgghh my wife is going to be BS.

[mac1911]

I stuck a copy out on Google docs so people without Excel can access it and fiddle around with their own calculations:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OZF6XGt8lmmsqQYbtbMbNdEPtVNRaJxHiOtaZiEMG2s/edit?usp=sharing

What am doing wrong I can not input any data?

[62chevy]

What am doing wrong I can not input any data?

You can only do that in the yellow.

[mac1911]

You can only do that in the yellow. Correct which still does not allow me to enter data.....? I have all but given up on this.
Thinking of selling off all my scrap and alloys and just buy fresh virgin alloy ?

[62chevy]

Correct which still does not allow me to enter data.....? I have all but given up on this.
Thinking of selling off all my scrap and alloys and just buy fresh virgin alloy ?

Then you have a setting that is wrong either in the program or Windows if you use that.

[KenH]

Mr Bumpo628 - my hats off to you for a GREAT calculator. Took me a few minutes to figure it out - I was over thinking it. It's so simple, to figure an alloy, just remove all the "Weight" numbers from column "H", then put in the lbs of each alloy you have, and the result appears in the "Mixed Alloy" line.

In my case, I have fairly pure lead (dive weights) and old linotype from the early '70's. "Assuming" the alloy mix is the 4-12-84 ratio shown, I can take 1 lb of linotype and 5 lb of pure lead and have exactly what I'm looking for with a hardness of 10-11 Brinell which is pretty good for black powder shooting. VERY GOOD!!!

Thank you for all your work in putting this together.

Ken H>

[bangerjim]

My computer always had a hard time opening the lead alloy calculator. Now it won't even run?
Is there a Lead Alloy Calculator in the works for smart phones /kindles and the likes?

I use this on my iPhone and iPads (and PC) flawlessly all the time, every time. Just get an app that uses Excel file format. Easy. I always pay for my apps, but I am sure there is some free-bee thing out there you can find.

banger

[Sekatoa]

I use it almost solely on my iPad, using Numbers. Works fine. Very convent to have in you work area.

[guncheese]

i uploaded them to Google drive
Google Sheets works on everything i own (desktop,laptops,phones,tablets)
and the same data is wherever i go
if you have a gmail account you already have everything you need to use the awesome calculator the 21st century way :bigsmyl2:

[303Guy]

I have Windows 10, whoopy doo! I have Windows office (trial) for Windows 10. Double whoopy flippin doo! Give me back Vista as bad as it was! Anyway, I'm running Open office and quite frankly I don't like it much but it does allow me to use Alloy Calculator. Google drive you say? I will have a look.

[Paul_R]

Please delete

[KenH]

Bumpo628: You asked about "X" in post #181. I "think" what might be saying is the formula as RotoMetals has it is just a general forum that works for most all values - as you said "both tin and antimony percentages are about 1% or more:

"IF the formula is written as" Brinell = X + ( 0.29 * Tin ) + ( 0.92 * Antimony ) with the explanation of "Let X = value of lowest Brinell used in mix" then the formula seems to work nicely even for lower values.

Please do understand, I'm NOT saying the above is 100% correct, just it does seem to work with lower of brinell values.

Great spreadsheet!!!!!

Ken H>

[ChevelleDave]

Thank You, just getting into casting. Have a bunch of pure lead, WW, and linotype all smelted into ingots, some Tin and a couple bars of RM SuperHard.

Just needed to find something just like this.

Thank You.

[ZippyHillbilly]

Thanks for the spreadsheet. i suppose my hillbilly self will have to learn to read now. Can put my shoes and socks back on fer countin things.

[hutch18414]

I just got this calculator working today. It wouldn't do anything on my old Vista machine but it works great on 8.1 Windows.
I find it interesting that some of the alloy changes I was thinking about made little difference in the hardness and others made alot more difference. A great tool to have in the tool box. Thanks for making this calculator.

[OS OK]

bumpo628 "I supposed you have been thanked some for this calculator…well here is summore thanks…thank you!"
Semper Fi…charlie

[Barnowl]

Here is the source of the formula:
http://www.rotometals.com/Bullet-Casting-Alloys-s/5.htmBasic Rules for Hardening Lead-
For every 1% additional tin, Brinell hardness increases 0.3.
For every 1% additional antimony, Brinell hardness increases 0.9.
For a simple equation,
Brinell = 8.60 + ( 0.29 * Tin ) + ( 0.92 * Antimony )

If you put in the numbers for hardball and lyman #2, the formula comes out very close to the published values using the "8.6" as-is in the formula. The formula does not work well (match published data) unless both tin and antimony percentages are about 1% or more. Of course, you can not get a lower BHN than 8.6 with this formula, but it does not say in the source that it works for every case.

I don't quite understand where the "X" number idea you guys mentioned above comes from.
I would appreciate it if you could explain a bit more.

bumpo628,

Apparently there is more to the Rotometals formula. "Brinell = X + (0.3 * Tin) + (0.92 * Antimony) for "X" enter 5 for pure lead or 8.6 for wheel weights" It appears that "X" is the base metal one is starting with.

This comes from this 12-10-10 post of a Rotometals newsletter:Here (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?61171-The-Definitive-Answer-page-for-Lead-and-Alloys!&p=1083526&viewfull=1#post1083526)

Here is the pertinent text:

Talk Back
Lead Hardening
Recently I was asked the brinell hardness of pure lead and wheel weights. We did some research and found that the BHN of pure lead is approximately 5. The BHN for wheel weights was a little more difficult to find as wheel weights differ in their chemical composition. That said, many people use a range of 8-9; we list 8.6 as the baseline BHN for wheel weights. This got us thinking, why do we receive so many calls about hardening lead? This has to be the number one question we are asked by bullet casters. So we thought, let's try to answer this question without adding to the confusion of lead hardening.

There are two metals that can harden lead successfully, tin and antimony. For every 1% of tin added to your lead you will increase the brinell hardness by .3 and for every 1% antimony you add, you will increase the brinell hardness by .92. Using this simple equation Brinell = X + (0.3 * Tin) + (0.92 * Antimony) for "X" enter 5 for pure lead or 8.6 for wheel weights. Now you can figure out exactly how much antimony and/or tin you need to add to achieve a certain BHN.

Example: 14.7 = 8.6 + (0.3 * 5) + (0.92 * 5)

Here, we added 5% tin and 5% antimony to our wheel weights and achieved a 14.7 BHN.

For more information and to look up these products, visit us online at www.Rotometals.com (http://www.Rotometals.com).

An unasked question is an unanswered question. Send us your questions today. You never know, your question may be featured in a future newsletter.

[bumpo628]

Thx for that info. The formula doesn't make any sense now, though.
If you start with pure lead and add 5% of both tin and antimony, you end up with a hardness of about 11. Since it should be 15, that means the formula doesn't work the way they say it does.
Plus, adding tin or antimony to WW lead should make the hardness higher since you're starting with an alloy.

I'll see if I can figure out a formula that starts with 5 and matches up with known alloy hardnesses.

[Barnowl]

I played around with both figures also (5 for lead and 8.6 for WW) and found the same discrepancies as you did. As a side note, the bhn of 8.6 for WW is less than most sources I have found. The Rotometals formula may have a narrow range of accuracy/use. Maybe Rotometals could explain.

Kevin

[FLYCUTTER]

I want to thank you Bumpo for your lead calculator. Now that I have windows 10, I down loaded Apache Open Office 4 and can open it free. I found it very fascinating and spent hours messing around getting to know your program. I am not a computer savvy guy but it really is easy to use . Thanks for your hours building this spreadsheet for all of us to use.

[Pine Baron]

Bumpo, Thank you so much for this. After downloading, I just spent an hour fascinated by the different alloys possible, with all the "stuff" I've accumulated/acquired. Your efforts are appreciated.

[alamogunr]

I'm amazed that I just found this thread and alloy calculator since it has been around for 5 years.

OK! I've read all eleven pages of this thread and still have some things I'm unsure of. I have several different alloys(for want of a better term) that I plan to use to mix different alloys. As I understand the spreadsheet, I would use the custom alloy lines to enter my different alloys to be used as components of a desired alloy. For instance, I have a large supply of 40/60 solder that was salvaged from a large production pot. It tested as 76% Pb, 23.4% Sn and .6% Cu. I would label it "My 40/60 Solder". I have a variety of WW, range lead that I am considering mixing together to obtain a "Basic Boolit Component". This would be added as a Custom Alloy to be used in future calculations.

Can the Monotype line be altered to reflect the tested results for my monotype(mine differs significantly) or does it also have to be entered into the "Custom Alloy" section? I guess the answer to this question is the same as I stated above for 40/60 solder.

I quit dealing with spreadsheets using calculations when I retired 10 years ago. Amazing how much you forget.

Regardless of the answers, my thanks to bumpo for all the work he put in on this.

[popper]

alamo - you can unlock cells to change data, then BE SURE to relock. I've made changes to several and added some. Act ually you can add a sheet and make cost calc per load/100.

[alamogunr]

alamo - you can unlock cells to change data, then BE SURE to relock. I've made changes to several and added some. Act ually you can add a sheet and make cost calc per load/100.

Thanks popper. As far as cost is concerned, I wrote off any $$ I had invested in various lead supplies a long time ago. I've got enough of everything to be able to leave it to my sons if they want it or for them to dispose of it(not scrap it, make sure it goes to someone who will use it).

[bumpo628]

Thanks popper. As far as cost is concerned, I wrote off any $$ I had invested in various lead supplies a long time ago. I've got enough of everything to be able to leave it to my sons if they want it or for them to dispose of it(not scrap it, make sure it goes to someone who will use it).

I would just correct the numbers to match the alloys you have. Download a fresh copy if you ever need to see the original version.
If you need more custom alloy lines, I made another version with 17 customs and you can download it from post no. 147 on page 8.

Cheers :drinks:

[alamogunr]

Thanks bumpo! I downloaded your 17 custom version and used the custom lines to enter my special alloys. Then using my alloys, I played around with mixing COWW and range lead. Then adjusting tin and antimony using my monotype, it only took 3 tries to get this:

Sn 1.88% Sb 4.04% Cu .22% Pb 93.9%

This gave me an estimated hardness of 12.9BH. My batch(not actual) was a little over 100#. To reduce that hardness would eat into my soft lead, of which I don't have an abundance, considerably. Regardless, this is fun.

[bichettereds]

When I try and use this it says the document was open as "read-only". Do I have to pay for the software from Apache or Microsoft to actually use this or am I doing something wrong?

[bazzer485]

Thanks for the calculator, its great. But how do I get the cost per bullet to show a actual cost rather than #Value?

[bazzer485]

Thanks for the calculator, its great. But how do I get the cost per bullet to show a actual cost rather than #Value?

Problem solved when I downloaded a later version.

[bumpo628]

When I try and use this it says the document was open as "read-only". Do I have to pay for the software from Apache or Microsoft to actually use this or am I doing something wrong?

I haven't heard that one before. Try to save it with a new file name to see if that gets rid of it.

[bichettereds]

Thanks bumpo. That worked! Nice job on the calculator!

[sfcairborne]

Ok maybe I missed it somewhere in one of the posts. Is there a way to utilize the calculator on an IPAD? the IPAD is the only form of internet access. I do not have a computer, as my Ipad will do most everything I need, well except this.

Thanks Gents

[bumpo628]

Ok maybe I missed it somewhere in one of the posts. Is there a way to utilize the calculator on an IPAD? the IPAD is the only form of internet access. I do not have a computer, as my Ipad will do most everything I need, well except this.

Thanks Gents

I think the app called "numbers" is your best bet.
Here is a good article on the subject:
http://www.macworld.com/article/1168325/business-software/editing-excel-files-on-an-ipad.html

[sfcairborne]

Thank You, BangorJim squared me away today, got it loaded on both my phone and on the IPad. Thanks guys. So far I've just been mixing 50% Stick Ons to 50% WW. Seems to be working, but I would really like to make up a batch of 20:1. For the 30/30 and the 45/70. I think I understand the formula for it 96% pure, 2% WW and 2% tin. If that is right I just need to figure the number in pound for a 30 pound mix.

[bazzer485]

Yep, bumpo629 is right, Numbers is a great way to use the spreadsheet on a iPad. Just put in the leads you want to use and the hardness is calculated for you. It will calculate the cost of each bullet if you enter the cost of the lead and alloys. Mine are coming out at four cents each.

[mac1911]

On the desktop, try opening the calculator with OpenOffice if Microsoft Excel doesn't work for you. Or an older version of Excel.
http://www.openoffice.org/download/

On the phone, you can use one of the spreadsheet programs like Docs To Go or Google's Sheets.

ok getting back to smelting and alloy mixing.... new computer.
I cant get the calculator to open again. down loaded http://www.openoffice.org/download/ and still tells me I cant open the calculator?

[bumpo628]

ok getting back to smelting and alloy mixing.... new computer.
I cant get the calculator to open again. down loaded http://www.openoffice.org/download/ and still tells me I cant open the calculator?


Try Google Sheets.
https://www.google.com/sheets/about/

You should also be able to access it when logged in to your Gmail account.

[mac1911]

Try Google Sheets.
https://www.google.com/sheets/about/

You should also be able to access it when logged in to your Gmail account.
Ugh more down loads and emails...

[mac1911]

Try Google Sheets.
https://www.google.com/sheets/about/

You should also be able to access it when logged in to your Gmail account.

thank you finally got it to work..... now to figure out what I want to do with the 63/37 solder I have and wondering if I should add any to my range scrap?

[Chris C]

I must be the dumbest of the dumb because I can't, for the life of me, figure out how to use this calculator! :confused:

I want to make a 20:1 alloy. I think I figured it out by the percentages shown on the calculator, but I did it by countin' fingers, toes and whatever else I could find. :roll: I had 14# pure lead I wanted to use. My figures came up with 14.08 oz tin. First off, tell me if my "hill-billy" calculator worked. And then, explain to me how to use that durned calculator. Lets just use a starting point of, lets say, I've got 50# Pb I want to turn into 20:1. How do I find out how much tin the mix needs using the calculator.

[62chevy]

I must be the dumbest of the dumb because I can't, for the life of me, figure out how to use this calculator! :confused:

I want to make a 20:1 alloy. I think I figured it out by the percentages shown on the calculator, but I did it by countin' fingers, toes and whatever else I could find. :roll: I had 14# pure lead I wanted to use. My figures came up with 14.08 oz tin. First off, tell me if my "hill-billy" calculator worked. And then, explain to me how to use that durned calculator. Lets just use a starting point of, lets say, I've got 50# Pb I want to turn into 20:1. How do I find out how much tin the mix needs using the calculator.

You put any number you want in the arias with yellow. Find the row with Pure Lead and in the yellow are add 14 then arrow up to pure tin and add .7, this will give you 20 to 1.

[Chris C]

I still don't get it! If I've got 14# of lead and need to know how much tin to add, how does the calculator tell me what that amount would be? Or do I just keep guessing at weights until I get the right percentage?

[62chevy]

I still don't get it! If I've got 14# of lead and need to know how much tin to add, how does the calculator tell me what that amount would be? Or do I just keep guessing at weights until I get the right percentage?

That is what I do. Your 14 pounds of pure lead plus .7 pounds of pure tin will get you 20 - 1. not sure what 20 - 1 is in percentage then delete all numbers in the yellow and add 1 to the 20 to 1 row, look down at the bottom where the percentages are for tin and that should be 4.76%.

[bumpo628]

I still don't get it! If I've got 14# of lead and need to know how much tin to add, how does the calculator tell me what that amount would be? Or do I just keep guessing at weights until I get the right percentage?

In general, you do have to guess and then make adjustments to find the mix you want.
For lead-tin alloys like 20-1, it is a bit easier since the name itself is the ratio.
You just need to add 20 lbs of pure lead with 1 lb of tin.
For your example with 14 lbs of pure lead, that is 30% less pure lead than the 20-1 ratio, so you just need to add 30% less tin (0.7 lbs).

For more complicated alloys, I set most of the ingredients to even numbers and then adjust the last ingredient to see if I can make what I want. If not, then adjust one or more of the others and try again. After a while you get a feel for what needs to be done.

Maybe I can make this easier on my next update.
Another idea would be to use the 'goal seek' function in excel.

[OS OK]

Using the percentages like this is close...but, to get it exact you must adjust the Pb weight also. ( You say you have 14# of Pb that you want to turn into a 20:1 mixture. ) Meaning after all is said and done you need to end up with a 14# total weight mixture... ( I use the # symbol to represent pounds ).

Example...

14#'s total of Pb+Sn mixture and 4.76% is Sn. ... 14# total mixture X .0476 = .6664# of Sn. ................. .6664 X 16oz. = 10.66 oz. <( converting decimal # to ounce # of Sn. )

*Since 10.66 oz's. of the 14# total is Sn ( reflecting a 20:1 mixture )... Subtract the Sn from the 14# total mixture ( the remainder must be the weight of lead you put in )....
14# of Pb+Sn total weight - 10.66 oz. of Sn = 13# 5.34 oz. of Pb. <( this is now how much Pb you put into the blend. )

*To plug this new Pb weight back into the calculator you must convert it back to decimal pounds... What is the decimal value of 5.34 oz's? so... 5.34 / 16 = .33375 pound , ( meaning 5.34 oz's divided by 16 oz's. ) Add that to the 13#'s and we have a converted total of 13.33375 # of Pb. <( same as 13# 5.34 oz's. )

The calculator wants to see decimal pounds inserted into the yellow cells where we monkey with the mixture. We need to convert back and forth between decimal pounds and ounce pounds. ( I have to do this because my 24# digital kitchen scale weighs in #'s & oz's. [ or grains, grams or kilograms ])

Are you even more confused now...sorry if I mucked it up further but this is how I have to deal with the calculator, what I want to do and what tools I have to work with.

charlie

[Chris C]

Are you even more confused now...sorry if I mucked it up further but this is how I have to deal with the calculator, what I want to do and what tools I have to work with.

charlie

Yup. I've got 24# of lead I want to turn into a 20:1..........so how do I ask the calculator to tell me how much tin to put in with the 24# of lead to make it a 20:1? (I don't care what the total poundage adds up to) I've finally figured it out on my own, but I misunderstood, thinking the calculator was supposed to fill in the information when I didn't have all the figures myself. (my mistake)

[OS OK]

You can't ask the calculator anything...you can suggest what you think will do it and the calc. will figure it and show you what you have...that's it.

Plug your values in above and you'll see that a little pencil work is necessary first if you want to hit the percentages right on the nose.

[Chris C]

Yup, that's what I meant by figured it out. It's a guessing game..............but it works in the long run.

[mac1911]

I must be the dumbest of the dumb because I can't, for the life of me, figure out how to use this calculator! :confused:

I want to make a 20:1 alloy. I think I figured it out by the percentages shown on the calculator, but I did it by countin' fingers, toes and whatever else I could find. :roll: I had 14# pure lead I wanted to use. My figures came up with 14.08 oz tin. First off, tell me if my "hill-billy" calculator worked. And then, explain to me how to use that durned calculator. Lets just use a starting point of, lets say, I've got 50# Pb I want to turn into 20:1. How do I find out how much tin the mix needs using the calculator.

nope not dumb I cant get the calculator to work 99% of the time....just went to use it again and I cant open it on my PC need windows office. It worked few months ago.
I don't know why it just cant work with out all sorts of accounts being made , special emails and such....? confused as always with this one. Now on those fluke times the calculator opens I have no problems using it.

I simply went to my downloads section clicked it to open and now im back to square 1 ...say I need office to open ? I don't have a clue how or what I did to get it to run before?
im tired of needing to log in , creat accounts and needing new emails to open a file.

When I click on ballistic caalculators or any other thing on any of my devices I seldom need anything special to get them to work ? I don't have office and im not buying it for the little amount I use my computer....

I am stupid when it comes to the functions of my computer....if its not plug and play im lost....it took me over a year to figure out how to post pictures!

so what are we missing?

[62chevy]

I use LibreOffice on Linux and it works everytime. OpenOffice is the same thing for windows and it's free.

http://www.openoffice.org/download/


EDIT:

LibreOffice is also available for Windows. https://www.libreoffice.org/

[mac1911]

I use LibreOffice on Linux and it works everytime. OpenOffice is the same thing for windows and it's free.

http://www.openoffice.org/download/


EDIT:

LibreOffice is also available for Windows. https://www.libreoffice.org/

just down loaded open office..... I can open the calculator now but its read only. I cant input any data ?

add also it takes aprox 30 seconds now to open anything from my icon screen? ugghh

5pm uninstalled openoffice PC back to light speed again....
Im actually shocked at how hard this has been. I hate to have to pay for office ?

[alamogunr]

Back in 2003, before I retired, Microsoft offered employees of the company a full set of Microsoft Office for use at home. We were supposed to take it off of our home computers if we left the company. I retired 3 years later and, being the honest person I am, I called Microsoft and asked about keeping it on my computer since I wouldn't be working for anyone. The person I talked to told me he couldn't authorize leaving it on my computer but "what they didn't know wouldn't hurt me". I've been using it ever since.

I also have Open Office. It is enough different that I get easily confused with the spreadsheet and the word processor because I'm always trying to treat it like Excel and Word. Since I don't use either one very much, I just soldier on with Excel and Word 2003.

I have been using the alloy spreadsheet that bumpo628 posted. It works every time for me. I've got his version with 17 custom alloys and the same version with my alloys entered for ease of use.

[JAbee]

Open Office works for me. It has slower performance than Microsoft Office but hey its free.

I cant say Thank You enough times for this Calculator. It has saved me many of frustrations dealing with different lead mixes.

[Chris C]

What, exactly, does the term "Antimonial Lead" mean? And is it something RotoMetals sells?

[alamogunr]

Roto Metals does sell "Antimonial Lead". Web page says antimony content 3%-5%. I've never bought it but would hope that they would specify the antimony content in whatever they send. If not, I could probably still live with it. The alloy calculator makes a stab at hardness if that is what you are after.

At one time I considered buying since I have a large stash of solder but decided that I have enough other alloys to mix whatever I want.

[mac1911]

anyone figure out a alloy calculator app for phones yet?

[popper]

Roto Metals does sell "Antimonial Lead" It varies in Sb quite a bit so I get pure (or whatever) and add superhard, more cost effective.

[kmrra]

https://rotometals.com/lead-ingots-wire/
they sell it

[bumpo628]

anyone figure out a alloy calculator app for phones yet?

I have opened this calculator on an Android phone with Google Sheets, Docs to Go, and OfficeSuite.
Not sure about iPhone apps, but anything that opens an excel sheet would do it.

[Dieselhorses]

Yup, that's what I meant by figured it out. It's a guessing game..............but it works in the long run.

Hi, YES I'm new on here but I couldn't help not putting 2 cents in. If you have "20-1" of anything that's 5%. SO, Multiply ANY amount of lead you got by 5% and it will tell you what amount of alloy to use. You will ALWAYS have a consistent ratio! (IE 10-1 is the same as 100-10 which is 10% of 100). Another way is to divide 1 by 20 which is .05 (5%)

[bumpo628]

Hi, YES I'm new on here but I couldn't help not putting 2 cents in. If you have "20-1" of anything that's 5%. SO, Multiply ANY amount of lead you got by 5% and it will tell you what amount of alloy to use. You will ALWAYS have a consistent ratio! (IE 10-1 is the same as 100-10 which is 10% of 100). Another way is to divide 1 by 20 which is .05 (5%)

Mixing ratio math is not done that way.
20:1 lead-tin alloys are made by adding 20 parts lead to one part of tin.
So there are 21 parts in total. That gives you 4.76% tin instead of 5% like the 1 in 20.

The difference in percentages is greater in small mixing ratios like 1:1 (2 parts total) or 2:1 (3 parts total).

[meeesterpaul]

general FYI: Lead pipe ingots I smelted XRF scanned at .6%Sn and 3.5% SB

[RMII]

This is a very cool app. Now if I could only get access to an XRF machine to test my alloys.

[Sean357]

Very cool app, thanks. Downloaded to my droid turbo 2 and works perfect with Android office.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[dmccord]

I downloaded the Lead calculator (THANK YOU) but I have a question. I water quench, how do I take that into account when using your calculator?

[bumpo628]

I downloaded the Lead calculator (THANK YOU) but I have a question. I water quench, how do I take that into account when using your calculator?

The calculator is only for air cooled alloys, so you'll just need to do some testing to see how the water quench affects the hardness.
I suggest that you drop a few samples out of each batch off to the side so you can take some before and after readings.
It would be great if you were to post your findings so others could get an idea of what to expect for a particular alloy.

Cheers
:drinks: