+1 I have just figured this out today too.
This really needs explaining at the top, otherwise we never get any mix softer than Brin 8.6
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My computer always had a hard time opening the lead alloy calculator. Now it won't even run?
Is there a Lead Alloy Calculator in the works for smart phones /kindles and the likes?
Here is the source of the formula:Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike W1
Just spotted this stickie so I'm having fun playing with your program. Thanks for your work!
On an aside note that Roto Metals formula is supposed to be X not necessarily 8.6 You put the BHN of your particular mix in place of X and calculate and add the other figures to get BHN. Surprised someone hadn't pointed that out before.
Originally Posted by SniderBoomer
+1 I have just figured this out today too.
This really needs explaining at the top, otherwise we never get any mix softer than Brin 8.6
http://www.rotometals.com/Bullet-Casting-Alloys-s/5.htm
Basic Rules for Hardening Lead:
For every 1% additional tin, Brinell hardness increases 0.3.
For every 1% additional antimony, Brinell hardness increases 0.9.
For a simple equation,
Brinell = 8.60 + ( 0.29 * Tin ) + ( 0.92 * Antimony )
If you put in the numbers for hardball and lyman #2, the formula comes out very close to the published values using the "8.6" as-is in the formula. The formula does not work well (match published data) unless both tin and antimony percentages are about 1% or more. Of course, you can not get a lower BHN than 8.6 with this formula, but it does not say in the source that it works for every case.
I don't quite understand where the "X" number idea you guys mentioned above comes from.
I would appreciate it if you could explain a bit more.
On the desktop, try opening the calculator with OpenOffice if Microsoft Excel doesn't work for you. Or an older version of Excel.
http://www.openoffice.org/download/
On the phone, you can use one of the spreadsheet programs like Docs To Go or Google's Sheets.
Im not sure how I got it to open last few times I know its always a pita. Doesnt look like I have Excel and when I try and get it they want me to pay for it. No not really spending anymore money on this old *** pc. I tried to get it to work with the kindle I really dont know what im doing wrong and never seem to repeat what I do right.
I tried the openoffice down load and all it seem to do was completely change my new tabs all around to some template BS arrgghh my wife is going to be BS.
Mr Bumpo628 - my hats off to you for a GREAT calculator. Took me a few minutes to figure it out - I was over thinking it. It's so simple, to figure an alloy, just remove all the "Weight" numbers from column "H", then put in the lbs of each alloy you have, and the result appears in the "Mixed Alloy" line.
In my case, I have fairly pure lead (dive weights) and old linotype from the early '70's. "Assuming" the alloy mix is the 4-12-84 ratio shown, I can take 1 lb of linotype and 5 lb of pure lead and have exactly what I'm looking for with a hardness of 10-11 Brinell which is pretty good for black powder shooting. VERY GOOD!!!
Thank you for all your work in putting this together.
Ken H>
I use it almost solely on my iPad, using Numbers. Works fine. Very convent to have in you work area.
i uploaded them to Google drive
Google Sheets works on everything i own (desktop,laptops,phones,tablets)
and the same data is wherever i go
if you have a gmail account you already have everything you need to use the awesome calculator the 21st century way :bigsmyl2:
I have Windows 10, whoopy doo! I have Windows office (trial) for Windows 10. Double whoopy flippin doo! Give me back Vista as bad as it was! Anyway, I'm running Open office and quite frankly I don't like it much but it does allow me to use Alloy Calculator. Google drive you say? I will have a look.
Please delete
Bumpo628: You asked about "X" in post #181. I "think" what might be saying is the formula as RotoMetals has it is just a general forum that works for most all values - as you said "both tin and antimony percentages are about 1% or more:
"IF the formula is written as" Brinell = X + ( 0.29 * Tin ) + ( 0.92 * Antimony ) with the explanation of "Let X = value of lowest Brinell used in mix" then the formula seems to work nicely even for lower values.
Please do understand, I'm NOT saying the above is 100% correct, just it does seem to work with lower of brinell values.
Great spreadsheet!!!!!
Ken H>
Thank You, just getting into casting. Have a bunch of pure lead, WW, and linotype all smelted into ingots, some Tin and a couple bars of RM SuperHard.
Just needed to find something just like this.
Thank You.
Thanks for the spreadsheet. i suppose my hillbilly self will have to learn to read now. Can put my shoes and socks back on fer countin things.
I just got this calculator working today. It wouldn't do anything on my old Vista machine but it works great on 8.1 Windows.
I find it interesting that some of the alloy changes I was thinking about made little difference in the hardness and others made alot more difference. A great tool to have in the tool box. Thanks for making this calculator.
bumpo628 "I supposed you have been thanked some for this calculator…well here is summore thanks…thank you!"
Semper Fi…charlie