Reclaiming solder from radiator shop

[762cavalier]

Is this a good Idea. I can probably get a radiator shop next to a friends shop to let me dredge the solder droppings from their tank. Is this feasible? Any ideas on best way to go about it? Thanks again

[grumpy one]

Radiator shops are likely to use more than one grade of solder. Each grade has a different ratio of tin to lead. If you just melt down an old radiator, you will get mostly the original equipment solder, which is low-tin. The solder used for repairs is likely to be high tin, because high tin solder has a lower melting point, and by using it they can repair the radiator without melting the original factory joints. So, the "old" solder is likely to be very good for alloying, but its value depends on how much of it is original equipment solder and how much is repair solder.

Also, there have been radiators made partly with low grade silver solder because of fatigue life problems if they were made with ordinary solder. You probably wouldn't want to get that mixed in with your alloy.

[mroliver77]

A fellow I know from this site scored big time on hight tin solder from a radiator shop.
J

[randyrat]

I ran into a buket of scrap from the cooling tank, most of was 50/50 tin/lead. i've been using it and it works great. The shop owner said they use mostly 50/50 solder for repairs.

[Crash_Corrigan]

I have done that in the past. More recently plastic radiators have come around and the old metal ones are relics. I would get 6 buckets every 3 months and melt them down. Takes forever to melt them but you will get about 40 % of the weight in high quality alloy. I mix it with ww's and get a very decent alloy for molding boolits. enjoy it while you can because it is going the way of a buggy whip.

[dale2242]

Now my secret is out. I have been using scrap solder from radiators shops for years. I have no idea what ratio of tin the stuff is, but I add 1# of scrap solder to to 9# of WW. I shoot it in all my handguns from light 38 loads to Heavy 44 Mag loads with no leading. Casts well also---dale

[weakhand luke]

But I understand they use acid flux in their process. Has that ever caused any grief?

[felix]

Acid flux will be no more after cleaning the stuff up and fluxing with our goodies mentioned on the board time and time again. ... felix

[GLL]

27 pounds of 60/40 solder ingots from the tank of my local shop.

Jerry

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