what do I have here

[pistolshooter]

I purchased a bunch of casting equipment/lead from a guy a couple of weeks ago. In the box with some cast boolits and fishing weights was a block that I can't identify. He had no idea what it was either. It is 4.25 x 2.25 x .75 in size, very dark grey, and seems to be much harder that the ingots I have around here. I tried the thumbnail hardness tester (I'm not sure if my thumbnails have been calibrated recently), and it seems to be much harder than the WW or #2 ingots I have on hand. I strike the #2 or WW ingots to this block and it leaves no indentation on the block. Anybody got any ideas what I have here?

[Dumpy]

I have a block about that size that is marked babbit.

[letsmeltlead2693]

Is it lighter or as heavy as lead?

[bumpo628]

Using a vise, smash a ball bearing between that piece and a known piece of lead (or alloy). Compare the dimples for quick and dirty hardness test.

I have also used a spring loaded center-punch. It makes different sized depressions in various alloys too.

After you test the hardness, you might try melting it while measuring with a thermometer. If it melts under 700 degrees or so, you can be pretty sure that you've got some sort of lead alloy there.

[stubshaft]

Sounds like it may be a sacrificial block of zinc to prevent electrolysis on boats.

[letsmeltlead2693]

Take a pic and show it. It may help us to id it.

[pistolshooter]

here are a few (poor) pictures of the block in question. I would guess it's around 2 lbs or so. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_213394f56e8a365bd4.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=4304)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_213394f56e8b5c5a5d.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=4305)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_213394f56e8c626745.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=4306)

[leadman]

Take a fnife to a corner and see if you can peel any of it off. If it any alloy up through linotype you should be able to cut into it, if it is zinc you won't be able to cut it.

Are those mounting holes in the corners of the block?

[Max Brand]

I think stubshaft nailed it, a sacrificial anode.

Max

[pistolshooter]

they do look like mounting holes, but hard to tell if the block was screwed to something or not. I tried cutting the block with a knife but was only able to scrape off some of the surface. The guy I got this from was mumbling something about zinc, and how it was good for making bullets hard. He was very much a rookie caster, giving up on casting and shooting altogether. I quit listening to him early in the conversation.

[Sonnypie]

Trade it off for some real lead.

There. I fixed it.

PS: My Daughter and SIL lived in Auburn for a while. She went to Green River College.
They live in Port Orchard now.

[letsmeltlead2693]

Looks like zinc. I have a zinc block that is the same. Drop some acid on it, and if it bubbles, it is zinc, if not then it is a hard lead. Also try to melt it, zinc won't melt on a hotplate, but lead will, regardless of the lead alloy. Here is my zinc block.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_223664f57e667abeef.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=4315)

[pistolshooter]

the block I have looks similar to that one. I think I will hang on to it until the price of zinc skyrockets. I'll be filthy rich.
Sonnypie, I take it you have been to our fair city. You could have stayed here instead of going back to Kalifornia. GRCC is about a 7 iron from my house.