monotype

[wilecoyote]

I have recently acquired a certain amount of typefaces (monotype), or whatever are called_
my 1st time with this treasure_
Are there any particular measures for their smelting to avoid the loss of antimony?

[jsizemore]

There will be a slush, lumpy foam on the surface as it melts. Don't throw it away. It's some of the antimony floating on the surface. Just move it to the side of the pot and rub it between the back of your stirring spoon and the pot wall. It'll go back in solution. If it has trouble incorporating back into the melt raise your pot temp a little and try again. Once you have it back in solution you can lower your melt temp and reduce oxides with paraffin, candles or wax. No need to flux (the sawdust thing) cuz we want to keep the elements provided by the type metals.

[wilecoyote]

...you're right, the foam you speak of appears,
and your answer is exactly what I needed to know.
Thanks again !

[m37]

pic is dark looks like linotype is it a continuous line of type or individual letters

[Dusty Bannister]

Only melt it down as you need to use it. Left in the original form, you will not misplace it in your stash. Also, if you ever need to sell it, there is little question as to what it actually is. Individual letters are much easier to weigh out for blending with other alloys.

[wilecoyote]

pic is dark looks like linotype is it a continuous line of type or individual letters

...tiny individual letters_what in the photo is a typographic form, a book page, ready for printing, composed of small pieces and spacers held together with a string_
the linotype I scrounged and used it was quite different, at the time

[wilecoyote]

Only melt it down as you need to use it. Left in the original form, you will not misplace it in your stash. Also, if you ever need to sell it, there is little question as to what it actually is. Individual letters are much easier to weigh out for blending with other alloys.

thx for the tip ! I'll do it_

[wilecoyote]

There will be a slush, lumpy foam on the surface as it melts. Don't throw it away. It's some of the antimony floating on the surface. Just move it to the side of the pot and rub it between the back of your stirring spoon and the pot wall. It'll go back in solution. If it has trouble incorporating back into the melt raise your pot temp a little and try again. Once you have it back in solution you can lower your melt temp and reduce oxides with paraffin, candles or wax. No need to flux (the sawdust thing) cuz we want to keep the elements provided by the type metals.

tried as per your instructions: it works exactly as you said !

[dimaprok]

I smelted a bucket recently, I noticed around 500 degrees it was slushy but for the "foam" to disappear I noted takes about 650 degrees and fluxing with beeswax or marvelux does help. If you take your time and get it up the temperature very little dross left to scoop up.

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[wilecoyote]

...yes, thanks !
a peanut of candle wax in my case worked well, too.

[jsizemore]

After the candle, wax, or resin, isn't much carbon left as dross. Could be the candle, wax, or resin raises the surface temp enough to melt the slush. RP used to use old motor oil on fire to get rid of the slush.

The closer I get the type metal melt to 100deg or a little above liquidus, the easier the slush incorporates back into the melt by rubbing it against the wall of the smelting pot with my stir spoon. After it's all back in solution a little wax and stir and remove the little ash that's produced, the surface looks like a mirror.

[wilecoyote]

...I owe you one !

[jsizemore]

It's like magic. Once you know the trick it's easy. Unlike magic, you need to share the trick. That's how you repay.