how do I tell...

[ahhbach]

I am removing all the gutter from my house... how do I tell if it is Tin or aluminum? I'd sure like to add it to my alloys.

Brian

[dragonrider]

Unless it is really old it is likely to be aluminum/aluminium.

[badbob454]

if it melts easily with a propane torch its tin @ 400 degrees , alum melts above 1000 degrees all the newer stuff is aluminum or plastic junk i think

[darkroommike]

It's not tin, really old it could be lead or copper, most likely galvanized steel (got a magnet?) or aluminum (really light for its size). Continuous gutter is usually aluminum. Hope this helps.

[Bob Krack]

Even the OLD "Tin" gutters were black iron with a very thin coating of lead and tin. Impossible to remove or separate without access to a commercial smelter or refiner.

And yes, they were (are) attracted to a magnet - or is it the other way around?

Bob

[largom]

It's not tin, really old it could be lead or copper, most likely galvanized steel (got a magnet?) or aluminum (really light for its size). Continuous gutter is usually aluminum. Hope this helps.


As suggested, test it with a magnet. Your "tin" gutters are most likely galvanized steel, Sheet-metal is commonly called "tin".

Larry

[ahhbach]

Thanks all!!! I'll mess with it and see. I can always dream....

Brian [smilie=6: