Did I hit the jackpot?

[blackhawk4545]

I found a metal salvage place that will sell me lead @ $1.00/lb. He has LOTS of it. But, as always there's a hitch....it is what I call "mystery lead". Unknown source, unknown type, unknown hardness. Should I buy all I can afford or pass it up? I really need all the advice I can get.

Maybe I should buy LOTS of it, and sell it right here to you guys for only my cost. Not wanting to make $$$, just want to help others enjoy this great hobby. What do y'all think?

[NoZombies]

Did you set the price, or did he? Around here the yards are buying lead at $0.20 a LB, but refuse to sell it at any price.

[blackhawk4545]

NoZombies - He set the price about 1 1/2 hours ago. He will buy lead at around $0.35, sell at $1.00. Noone else will sell lead to private parties.

[southpaw]

If I had to pay $1 a pound I would get it from board members. You would at least know what you are getting. Is this mystery lead melted down or is it just a bunch of different lead thrown all together? If it is just thrown together see if he would let you dig around in it. You might find some lino/mono or solder. That would be worth paying a buck a pound for.

Jerry Jr.

[kbstenberg]

I turned in some clips from my WW smelting with the intention of buying lead with the salvage money. They had plenty of lead both WW an assorted sheeting an pipe. The guy said they get 95 cents a lb an I said no thanks. An walked away with there money.
I did drool when I saw they had a 4' by 4' by 4' cardboard box half full of WW. And more than that of the soft lead.

[blackhawk4545]

Southpaw - It is who-knows-what all mixed togather. Some, I know is very soft as it is in sheets theat are very pliable. How can I tell if it is linotype? I could use some of it too.

[blackhawk4545]

Oh , I almost forgot, this outfit had quite a bit of pewter too. I got excited until I ask his price. $8.00/lb. I said WOW, no thanks.

[southpaw]

Linotype- Line of type. I can not find a pic of it right now but I bet some one has one that they can post. However I do a a pic of monotype, something else to look for. Monotype- one type. in other words one letter per block.

Jerry Jr.

[dieguy59]

When you fold a thin flat piece of lino, it will break. A chunk will actually have a 'clanging/ringing' sound if you bang it on something where as most other alloy's will just go 'THUNK!'Just my experience. Don't forget to check if it has been zinced!

[blackhawk4545]

Thanks Dieguy. Next question, how do I know if it has been Zinced?

[dieguy59]

Muriatic acid. Any hardware store should have it. I just dip a long screwdriver in it and drip a bit on the unknown lead. If it sizzles and bubbles, leave it alone! Just my opinion, but I'm totally new this, but, boy do I like to horde!

[bumpo628]

You can buy as much known lead as you want for $1/lb delivered from the people here.
Check in either the Vendor Sponsors or Swappin & Sellin forums.

[Defcon-One]

I agree. Other than Linotype, you can get Lead here on the boards in Dead Soft or COWW already formed into ingots for $1.00/lb.

His price is too high for me and the "mystery lead" factor makes it even less interesting. I like to have it, but I like to know what I have even more. The fun for me is getting it CHEAP or even better, FREE.

Scrounge Wheel Weights, if no luck then try the local Shooting Range!

Make this guy your very last stop!

Also, this is REAL Linotype (It is usually shiny!):
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/178454e3b599384c3a.jpg

[dieguy59]

'Make this guy your last stop!'

There are enough people here who are more than willing give a guy a deal. Plus there is the added fun of scooping a deal 0.27sec after it is posted!

[thegreatdane]

nothing else to say, that hasn't already been said. I get range scrap for .20c/lb.

[blackhawk4545]

Thanks guys, I think I'll take your advice and buy from here.

[mold maker]

Scrap yards here either don't sell, or price it between .30 and .60 a lb. I can usually get 3-500 lbs of dead soft, at .50/lb. WWs run .30-.40/lb.
That scrap dealer is trying to rip you off, but it is his stuff. If he sells it to the recyclers, he won't get near that price.
Smelting unknown scrap can be expensive. If ya have to pay $1./lb, get clean ingots from forum members. or vendors like Rotocast.

[1kshooter]

I have about 50-60 lbs or ??? lead that I got from a scrap yard for .60/lb and I was wondering if anyone knew what the heck it is? it id real hard and does not melt well at all ...I hit it with a propane torch and ...nothing! any help would be great!http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/bowboy/0805012241a.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/bowboy/0805012241.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/bowboy/0805012240a.jpg
thanks for your time Jonathan

[1kshooter]

ok I am almost 100% sure that I have about 60 lbs of Antimony ...now the million dollar question is how do I use it?

[Oreo]

Antimony melts @ ~1100°F so you ought to be able to get some of that to drip off with a propane torch if you're patient. Not sure if you could alloy it with lead by just dropping it into a pot of lead.

[1kshooter]

that is what I was going to try...but I as well was unsure if it would alloy up when mixed with lead in the pot or if there is something eles I have to do to it!
anyone have any thought on this?
thanks for all the help folks!
Jonathan

[leadman]

Antimony melts at 1167', so it takes some serious heat to melt it. If you have a burner capable of that you can alloy it with lead at a ratio of 30% antimony, 70% lead and duplicate Rotomatals superhard alloy. Melt the antimony first then add the lead. Then you can use it to alloy other lead easily as it will melt around 550' IIRC. I use superhard for this purpose and it is great stuff.

Either that or sell or trade it here for alloy you can use.

[1kshooter]

I will most likely trade it off for molds or something! ...I will try to play around with it first when I get home from the States in a month