wiping solder

[dolang1]

My neighbor (retired plumber) gave me some wiping solder. It looks like a tool joint that is connecting 1 1/2 inch lead pipe to a 2 inch piece of brass. He said it sure was hard. Should I cut the lead off of it and smelt it separately. Your thoughts?

[jsizemore]

That's what I do.

[scottfire1957]

You could also melt the solder off the pipe separately if you so desire. Propane torch will do the job.

[dolang1]

Thanks, I'll make some solder ingots.

[KYCaster]

The solder is most likely 60 Sn/40 Pb and will melt at much lower temp than the lead pipe so you can melt it off with a torch without melting the pipe.

The brass will bring about $2.50 per lb. at the scrap yard.

Jerry

[jsizemore]

When you separate the solder from the other stuff you'll find

1. If it's shiny after it cools and has no slushy phase as it cools then it's eutectic 64/36
2. If it's shiny after it cools and has a slushy phase as it cools it's around 50/50.
3. If it has matte texture after it cools then it's around 40/60.
4. If it has a grainy/lumpy texture after it cools then it's around 30/70 or higher lead content.


The secret to using this unknown solder to sweeten the pot is to..........add a little and see if you get the fillout your looking for and if not add a little more. Keep this up till you get the results your looking for.

[scottfire1957]

When you separate the solder from the other stuff you'll find

1. If it's shiny after it cools and has no slushy phase as it cools then it's eutectic 66/34
2. If it's shiny after it cools and has a slushy phase as it cools it's around 50/50.
3. If it has matte texture after it cools then it's around 40/60.
4. If it has a grainy/lumpy texture after it cools then it's around 30/70 or higher lead content.


The secret to using this unknown solder to sweeten the pot is to..........add a little and see if you get the fillout your looking for and if not add a little more. Keep this up till you get the results your looking for.


Good info. The solder I melted was matte.

[duck hollow pete]

I have at least a 1/2 ton of 40-60 wiping solder, some pieces of bars but mostly drippings. Some ofit shines some is matte finish depended how it melted and then hardened.

[USSR]

The solder is most likely 60 Sn/40 Pb...

Wiping solder has more lead than tin in it. It is usually around 62 Pb/38 Sn.

Don

[scottfire1957]

His numbers are close enough to yours to not really make much difference, unless you know exactly what your other ingredients contain. Which you won't unless you obtain them as certified.

[imashooter2]

Huh? The 2 posters don't provide similar numbers at all. KYCaster states probably 60% tin, USSR states probably 38% tin.

I'm with USSR on this one. Wiping solder is generally 38 - 40% tin, balance lead.

[scottfire1957]

Oh shoot, I read that incorrectly.. thanks for the knock upside the head! ��

[scottfire1957]

I'll put this here also.


http://chestofbooks.com/home-improvement/construction/plumbing/Standard-Practical/Chapter-II-Wiping-Solder-Its-Composition-And-Use.html#.VJA1jYTnZ74

Neat reading this older stuff.

[bruce381]

Wiping solder has more lead than tin in it. It is usually around 62 Pb/38 Sn.

Don

correcto mundo Had some bell systems wipping solder E tested was 38% tin balanve lead No arsnic

[Ballistics in Scotland]

Take a look at how much lead pipe there is. If we can assume the solder part is 40% tin, then if the lead pipe or added pure lead amounts to seven times the weight of the solder, you get 5% lead-tin alloy. That is a very useful one, fairly hard but able to expand, with less liability to break up than one with much antimony in it. Up to 3½ parts lead to one part 40% tin solder, it keeps getting harder, but any more is waste of tin (a lot more expensive than lead if it costs money), since it doesn't get harder.
It would probably be economically advantageous to add wheelweights or type metal to the 5% tin alloy you create, as that would harden it further, and cheaply. But I think then you would have to test it by thumbnail, lead tester if you have one, or by shooting.

[KYCaster]

You guys are right....got my percentages bass-akwards. Close to 40% Sn/60% Pb. :oops:

Jerry