Type Spacer composition

[MarkP]

I thought I would share the results of scanning some thin spacers and thicker spacers. The thin spacers look like they are directionally cast. The larger spacers are about 1/2" x 3/4".

I bought these along with several lino, mono, and foundry blocks from a scrap yard years ago.
My neighbor who was in the printing business since he was a child saw me unloading my truck and came over to see what I was doing. He got really excited and started sorted through and critique the linotype blocks, he told me what they did wrong. Very interesting unfortunately he passed away 7 years ago. He also said the spacers in his shop were purchased parts and not created in his shop, and the Foundry type was purchased with text already casted.





164458

I always assumed the spacers were softer alloy these samples were pretty close to linotype with the exception of Bi.

I had some issues with some alloy that I knew had Zinc it I had it analyzed and was surprised to fine out it had Bismuth in it. That particular alloy was mainly from WW that came from an Audi / VW dealership mixed with some lino.

Flat spacers;

Sb - 12.38
Sn - 4.35
Bi - 3.38
Pb - 78.13

Thicker Spacers:


Sb - 16.0
Sn - 6.22
Bi - 3.47
Pb - 72.93
Cu - 0.13

[Mitch]

interesting info.I think a lot deoends on how many times the stuff was cast and likely where the stuff was bought.

[RogerDat]

I tend to think the thicker "hollow core" spacers were store bought. I melted a batch and hit almost the exact same alloy breakdown from a batch running better than 100 pounds, so fairly consistent with the results from MarkP even in larger batches. At least as far as Sn & Sb are concerned.

I have also done fairly decent sized batches of the thin spacers and they came out real close to Linotype, just as his results did. However spacer can and will sometimes be entirely different alloy, all the way down to plain lead. I sorted a batch based on if they would break when bent, or not break. The two batches as expected had different alloy compositions.

If you have a chance to pick any of those hollow core spacers up for a good price then I think the alloy will be pretty consistent, always good stuff. Assuming that they are lead, some are steel, magnet check. The thin ones are a bit less consistent, good alloy but not as consistently top drawer alloy.

[nun2kute]

Can I talk you into a little more explanation please ... I just found something similar at my scrap yard. I have been casting WW for years, but I have never seen anything like this before, I really don't know what I have at all. Scrap Dog said it was lead so I snagged it. (Acctually, I talked him into stashing it until I could figure out what it was)

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h420/nun2kute/lead/IMG_20160331_170457951_HDR1_zpsanhfhco1_1.jpg (http://s1108.photobucket.com/user/nun2kute/media/lead/IMG_20160331_170457951_HDR1_zpsanhfhco1_1.jpg.html )
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h420/nun2kute/lead/IMG_20160331_170449337_HDR1_zpsecnf2jor.jpg (http://s1108.photobucket.com/user/nun2kute/media/lead/IMG_20160331_170449337_HDR1_zpsecnf2jor.jpg.html)
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h420/nun2kute/lead/IMG_20160331_1656231961_zpscty76ne7.jpg (http://s1108.photobucket.com/user/nun2kute/media/lead/IMG_20160331_1656231961_zpscty76ne7.jpg.html)
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h420/nun2kute/lead/IMG_20160331_1656118491_zps1mfhpwif.jpg (http://s1108.photobucket.com/user/nun2kute/media/lead/IMG_20160331_1656118491_zps1mfhpwif.jpg.html)
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h420/nun2kute/lead/IMG_20160329_0836334151_zpsukfc2yqu.jpg (http://s1108.photobucket.com/user/nun2kute/media/lead/IMG_20160329_0836334151_zpsukfc2yqu.jpg.html)

None that I tested was magnetically sticky, but that was just a small portion.

Sb - 16.0
Sn - 6.22
Bi - 3.47
Pb - 72.93
Cu - 0.13

Pb = Lead ??? ... Cu ? (Copper ?) ... Bi = Bismuth I think, Haven't a clue as to the others. Please elaborate.
How do you test this metal to figure out what it's made of ? And what is the difference between Lino,mono and foundry ?

[Bullwolf]

Can I talk you into a little more explanation please ... I just found something similar at my scrap yard. I have been casting WW for years, but I have never seen anything like this before, I really don't know what I have at all. Scrap Dog said it was lead so I snagged it. (Acctually, I talked him into stashing it until I could figure out what it was)

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h420/nun2kute/lead/IMG_20160331_170457951_HDR1_zpsanhfhco1_1.jpg (http://s1108.photobucket.com/user/nun2kute/media/lead/IMG_20160331_170457951_HDR1_zpsanhfhco1_1.jpg.html )

None that I tested was magnetically sticky, but that was just a small portion.

Sb - 16.0
Sn - 6.22
Bi - 3.47
Pb - 72.93
Cu - 0.13

Pb = Lead ??? ... Cu ? (Copper ?) ... Bi = Bismuth I think, Haven't a clue as to the others. Please elaborate.
How do you test this metal to figure out what it's made of ? And what is the difference between Lino,mono and foundry ?


What you have there looks to be Lines of type, and is commonly referred to as Linotype. There may also be some print type spacers mixed in as well, but it's hard to tell for sure from the photos.

The common make up of Linotype is:
http://www.rotometals.com/v/vspfiles/templates/o2i/images/clear1x1.gif
(http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/linotype.htm)Linotype Alloy (4%-Tin, 12%-Antimony, and 84% Lead)

Linotype is a very hard lead alloy that printing press type was made from.

A very nice lead score. Mixing Linotype half and half with pure lead, will yield you a nice casting alloy called Hardball.

Hardball Alloy (2%-Tin, 6%-Antimony, and 92% Lead)
A popular and inexpensive bullet casting alloy.

The elemental abbreviations are from the Periodic Table.

http://butane.chem.uiuc.edu/pshapley/GenChem1/L2/metals.gif

Sb = Antimony, used to harden lead, and reduce surface tension/flow.
http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/sb.html

Sn = Tin, helps lead flow and fill out, hardens mildly, makes alloy malleable
http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/sn.html

Bi = Bismuth, also used for hardening, more expensive and less efficient than Sb
http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/bi.html

Pb = Lead - the heavy stuff.
http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/pb.html

Cu = Copper, hardens and makes lead alloys tougher in small %'s
(less than 3% Copper)
http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/cu.html


- Bullwolf

[Bullwolf]

How do you test this metal to figure out what it's made of ? And what is the difference between Lino,mono and foundry ?

You can test these metals with a lead XRF analysis if you find a scrap yard or a person with an analysis gun, who is willing to do this.

The link below lists some of the common makeup of type alloys.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_metal







Some Wikipedia Alloy examples.



Linotype = 4% Tin - 12% Antimony - and 84% Lead

Stereo type = 7% Tin - 15% Antimony - and 78% Lead
More durable intended for long print runs and curved printing plates

Mono Type Alloy = 10% Tin - 16% Antimony - and 74% Lead
Most durable machine set intended to be remelted, sometimes hand set

Foundry Type Alloy = 18% Tin - 28% Antimony - and 54% Lead
Traditional loose hand set type, may contain some copper


Linotype (Lines of type)
https://letterpresscommons.com/files/2013/02/lino-slug-528x279.jpg

Mono and Foundry print type, look different than Linotype.

Generally Mono Type is single little pieces of type with notches at the base.
Like in the Wikipedia link.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Garamond_type_%C5%BFi-ligature_2.jpg/220px-Garamond_type_%C5%BFi-ligature_2.jpg


Harder Foundry Type is often found in large blocks.
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/9f/2c/f4/9f2cf4c5655855cde34a8afb6fc608e0.jpg

This isn't cast in stone though, as many Printers remelted and re purposed type for different uses, so this is only a general idea of type metal composition.

Due to the lower lead content, and higher tin/antimony content, type metals will be much lighter and much harder than typical lead alloys like WW (Wheel Weight) lead.

Mono and Foundry type are both incredibly harder/richer alloys than Linotype, and are often used in very small quantities to sweeten pure or softer lead alloys to make them harder, and have other more desirable alloy characteristics.


- Bullwolf

[nun2kute]

I sure appreciate your input, I went back today and took a closer look. It's all mixed up, there is some mono, but very little compared to the Linotype, and a whole lot of spacer material. If I was to guess, I'd say 60-70 percent spacers, maybe 3-8 percent mono and the rest Linotype and "other" stuff. But I think I will add it to my stash anyway.

[Bullwolf]

I sure appreciate your input, I went back today and took a closer look. It's all mixed up, there is some mono, but very little compared to the Linotype, and a whole lot of spacer material. If I was to guess, I'd say 60-70 percent spacers, maybe 3-8 percent mono and the rest Linotype and "other" stuff. But I think I will add it to my stash anyway.

I would have bought it as well. They don't really make it anymore.

Your other choice is buying it at a higher price already mixed for you in ingot form (instead of as scrap) from a foundry like Roto-Metals.


- Bullwolf

[ioon44]

I had 3 pieces of Mono type like in Bullwolf's pic tested at a local salvage yard, here are the average of the three test.

Sn 9.26%
Sb 23.55%
PB 65.00%
Cu 1.48%

The gun totals never add up to 100% , so I guess one can never be sure of the alloy with out a test.

[RogerDat]

Buy it all as long as the price is good. On the forum linotype sells for close to $2 a pound. More expensive from Rotometals. Really good alloy for lots of recipes. You won't regret it at $1 a pound or even a touch over that. I would never, ever, not ever pass up on printers lead at regular scrap lead prices. Mixed with WW's you can make something pretty close to Lyman #2 which is great stuff for rifle calibers and you can always sell or trade it. Good Stuff.

As a disclaimer I once raided my long term savings to buy a barrel of linotype so.... maybe I'm not rational about the stuff. On the other hand I sold some and replaced much of the withdrawn funds and still have a nice big pile of good alloy.