Lead plate question???

[mikeg1005]

Hey everyone.

My dad got 500lbs of lead plate for a really good deal.

Where is thist stuff from?

Its a little over 1/2" thick and it came in sheets that were 16" wide by as long as 4 feet. Maybe x-ray room walls?

It looks to be pure lead (compared to say linotype which is more of a silver color)

Any idea where this comes from? And most importantly is it good to cast or do I have 500 lbs of fishing weights?

Anyone know the approx hardness? I was going to cut it with linotype or wheel weights.

MIke.

[caseyboy]

No idea where it is from. Does it scratch easily with your thumb nail? If so it is pretty soft. Difficult to say pure with out an accurate BNH test. It is most definitely useable. What are you loading? Pistol? Rifle? Muzzleloader? Give us an idea, there is a wealth of good advice here.

caseyboy

[mikeg1005]

No idea where it is from. Does it scratch easily with your thumb nail? If so it is pretty soft. Difficult to say pure with out an accurate BNH test. It is most definitely useable. What are you loading? Pistol? Rifle? Muzzleloader? Give us an idea, there is a wealth of good advice here.

caseyboy

200gr for 45acp for single stack in USPSA so around 850fps... I have been doing 2/3 lead 1/3 linotype and its been working really well(no leading and accurate) I did the vice squeeze test where I put my know BHN bullet against this one and they both comrpessed about even (I know its very crude but it gives me a ball park)

Also going to start using them in my dad's 45 colt at cowboy speeds... and then when I run out of bullets I plan to start to cast for my 357mag as well. (158gr non gas check for target to medium velocity loads)

I'm just seeing if someone maybe knew where it came from and if by chance it at some sort of added metals to would make it a poor choice for casting. Yes it scratches fairly easy.


MIke.

[bumpo628]

A lot of people mix pure lead with WW in a 50/50 ratio and get good results. You can also mix with linotype as you said. If you thin them out a lot, you can just add a small amount of 50/50 solder to bump the tin content back up.

5 lbs of pure lead & 5 lbs of WW & 1 oz of 50/50 solder:
Tin = 0.56%, Antimony = 0.99%

5 lbs of pure lead & 1 lb of linotype:
Tin = 0.67%, Antimony = 2.00%

10 lbs of pure lead & 1 lb of linotype & 1 oz of 50/50 solder:
Tin = 0.64%, Antimony = 1.08%

If you want a copy of my alloy calculator, get the 2/14/11 version here:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=105952

[runfiverun]

i'd guess x-ray shielding.
should be near pure.
go 3-1 with lino, for 1% tin 3% antimony, should do most anything you want and water drops nicely.

[runfiverun]

just seen my new avatar.
uhhh, ken..
where's the lamp shade?

[45nut]

LOL.. ya like it?

[mikeg1005]

Thanks for the info guys.

The alloy part I have figured out (been casting for a while so I got it working well) just wanted to make sure this was close to / or pure lead so I knew how to mix it right.

Thanks again.

MIke.

[nanuk]

My dad got 500lbs of lead plate for a really good deal.

Where is thist stuff from? Ask your Dad, he should remember!

It looks to be pure lead Can you test some?

And most importantly is it good to cast or do I have 500 lbs of fishing weights?
Most around here will tell you EVERYTHING is good to cast with

Anyone know the approx hardness? I was going to cut it with linotype or wheel weights. I would use a big cleaver or hatchet. Or score it and bend it over an heavy table edge?

MIke.

Just fun'n Ya.
congrats on the score!

[WKAYE]

just seen my new avatar.
uhhh, ken..
where's the lamp shade?

Come on tell us the story. Did you loose a bet or something ? :popcorn:

[deltaenterprizes]

It could have been counterweights on a piece of machinery.