Wiping Solder??

[robpete]

I was sorting through a recent score and came across an ingot marked as Wiping Solder. Do any of you have any thoughts on what this is? It's about 6.5 lbs and the hardness is around 14.3 BHN.

68919

[imashooter2]

Wiping solder is generally low tin to maximize the slush stage. My guess is 30-70 or 40-60...

[alrighty]

Good stuff , here is an old thread link with lots of information.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?96042-Bell-System-Wiping-Solder-What-is-it-and-how-can-I-cast-with-it

[Lance Boyle]

Is that the old body man's lead for car seams and dent repair?

[robpete]

Great stuff alrighty. I only wish that there was more than one ingot!!

[GlocksareGood]

40-60 is what we use in the electrical industry for PILC(Paper Insualted Lead Covered) Medium Volatge cable splices.

[bobthenailer]

A few years ago i picked up 17lbs of smelted 1lb bars "Bell seam solder D " thats what is hand written on the brown cardboard box , i made a few bullets and tested them for BHN and they were 14 bhn , also the bullets weighed 213grs instead if the normal 255gr
it must have alot of tin in it to be that light and some antomony to be that hard ?

[imashooter2]

A few years ago i picked up 17lbs of smelted 1lb bars "Bell seam solder D " thats what is hand written on the brown cardboard box , i made a few bullets and tested them for BHN and they were 20 bhn , also the bullets weighed 213grs instead if the normal 255gr
it must have alot of tin in it to be that light and some antomony to be that hard ?

Antimony degrades the results in wiping solder. No way there would be any in the original alloy.

[Mitch]

I did some reading i while back on wiped solder joints on lead pipe.I think it said the wipeing solder was 40/60 .this may be what you have.Agreat find no matter what.

[spfd1903]

I have come across a handful of different wiping solder bars. Had them zapped at the recyclers. Some were 30/70 and some were 40/60. Great source for mixing 10:1, 20:1 alloy.