Linotype from roto metals

[johnnyjr]

Just experimenting with some linotype. It makes nice bullets,but there is some type of slush on top. I tried fluxing it. But it's still in there. No I didn't remove it. What is it. This is the first time I played with linotype except when I made it 50/50 with lead. Experimenting with different size bullets in my 243. I've been getting some pretty decent groups at 50 yards with sized at .243. I tried some pure lead with pewter unsized they were all in like a 2 inch group at 50 yards. The ,243 were like 5 in a 1 1/8 inch. So explain to me what the slush is in the linotype. Thanks,john

 

[Rick]

Silver oatmeal looking stuff? That's most likely the antimony.

What are you using to flux and how are you going about it?

 

[Dusty Bannister]

Your melt temperature is probably not hot enough for the antimony to go fully into solution. This is a common mistake. Please consider making a note of the melt temp when you are having alloy problems. It really IS a factor.

 

[RicinYakima]

Antimony is not liquid at the temperatures we cast at. It is dissolved between the molecules of lead and tin. What you are seeing are antimony crystals waiting to dissolve, because the lead tin liquid will not take any more. Turn up the heat to the make the lead and tin dissolve more antimony.

It is the opposite of how they make "ice" beer. They make cheap 1.5% beer and then cool it and freeze out some of the water until they get the percentage of alcohol they want to sell.

 

[johnnyjr]

Silver oatmeal looking stuff? That's most likely the antimony.

What are you using to flux and how are you going about it?

Bees wax, same I use for everything else. Stirred it a lot. But it never mixed in. Temp was approximately 700. Maybe I have to go a little hotter. Just experimenting with the Lyman Lovering 86 gr.thanks.

 

[KeithB]

Try kicking the pot temp up to 725 to 750F.

 

[johnnyjr]

Try kicking the pot temp up to 725 to 750F.

Ok,thanks

 

[RicinYakima]

If you are using a Lee pot, remember that the numbers are not temperature, but percentage of the potentiometer.

 

[johnnyjr]

If you are using a Lee pot, remember that the numbers are not temperature, but percentage of the potentiometer.

Propane burner

 

[Dusty Bannister]

Make sure the thermometer is suspended in the melt so it is reading the melt temperature. It should not be resting on the side or bottom of the pot which will result in a reading of the casting pot, which is greater than the center of the melt.

 

[fiver]

yep antimony.
you get to learn it pretty quick when you melt in the straight ore.
more heat and stirring usually works [when the antimony was already in solution] but occasionally you need an oxygen free barrier to help it out.

 

[CZ93X62]

Heat is your ally in this game. Enuff said.

I use pine shavings as fluxing agent. Once it burns off I leave the cinders in place and mix the oatmeal and cinders back into the melt. Rinse & repeat until the oatmeal behaves properly.

 

[RicinYakima]

I still like used cigar butts, after they dry out. Makes the shop smell manly.

 

[quicksylver]

I still like used cigar butts, after they dry out. Makes the shop smell manly.

OK Saving up my pipe ashes

 

[popper]

750F is the temp that both Sb & Pb are liquid for the % Sb we use. below that, it is a liquid/solid MIXTURE. As temp drops, Sb become crytaline solid, unless it is locked into Sn/Sb or Sb/Cu.

 

[fiver]

did we just go through like 15 posts and everyone agreed?

 

[RicinYakima]

But we all had are say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bret4207]

Once in a blue moon!!!