Lead Alloys

[Ogajiga]

I was wondering what others prefer for their melt metals?  Is there a consensus on an ideal alloy or do some prefer pure lead or other casting metals?

My preferred lead casting metal was Pb96(lead) Sn4(tin) for maximal pourability and corrosion resistant storage.  As a pot & ladle caster antimony added alloys often created problems with complete mold cavity fill out especially in small gate molds.

[Jig Man]

I’m not sure what’s in it but my hard lead camp from an old print shop.  I’ve been mixing it in for a long time and still have a lot.

[Jig Man]

I also run my melter pretty hot with the hard lead.

[Kasilofchrisn]

I generally use whatever lead I have on hand.

Usually some form of mixed scrap lead.

Rarely do I use pure lead for casting jigs or sinkers. Pure lead is hard to come by in my area so I save it for making ammo for my muzzleloaders and for making shotgun slugs.

Really hard lead I try to save for when I'm making cast boolits.

Though I do keep some super hard from RotoMetals on hand to make up harder  alloys for boolit casting.

Since the only alloy I really buy is the super hard I have a lot of scrap lead I have bought that is what it is.

I do have a cabine tree lead hardness tester.

But, it's not needed for making jigs and sinkers.e

Precise alloys are essential for boolit casting though.

[smalljaw]

I use the 3% - 5% Antimonial lead from Rotometals. I heat that alloy to 800 degrees and don't have too many issues. Most harder alloys will pour as well as pure soft lead as long as you adjust the temperature you are using.

[cadman]

I buy my lead from Roto-Metals as well. Reason being is that the lead is more consistent with each batch. So I will buy the 2-3% or the 3-5% antimonial lead. I used to get pure lead and mix it myself, however it is harder to get now. So buying it shipped is easier for me. Also as mentioned above, you can pour any lead, you just have to turn up the heat. I rarely have problems with my molds filling complete. Also using lead mold release helps quite a but.

[mark poulson]

7 hours ago, cadman said:

I buy my lead from Roto-Metals as well. Reason being is that the lead is more consistent with each batch. So I will buy the 2-3% or the 3-5% antimonial lead. I used to get pure lead and mix it myself, however it is harder to get now. So buying it shipped is easier for me. Also as mentioned above, you can pour any lead, you just have to turn up the heat. I rarely have problems with my molds filling complete. Also using lead mold release helps quite a but.

Do you preheat your molds?

[Kasilofchrisn]

2 hours ago, mark poulson said:

Do you preheat your molds?

Always!

I always preheat my molds.

They always cast better that way and I don't waste time doing a bunch of casting to heat it up.

 

[mark poulson]

Thank you.  I have installed small magnets in my jig mold to hold the hooks in place.  I was wondering if the heat will affect the magnets.

[cadman]

6 hours ago, mark poulson said:

Do you preheat your molds?

On most of my molds I just put them on top of the pot when I start the ifrst mold while I'm getting ready. The mold will heat up fast. When I'm in between pours and molds, I'll put another mold on top of my pot, while I cut the sprues off the first set of jigs. This is the way I do it. There is no right or wrong way, whatever works for you.

Mark as far as magnets and heat. If I remember correctly from an old company I worked for. Yes magnets will lose some of their magnetic quality, when exposed to heat over 212 degrees. Once it loses some of its magnetism it doesn't come back once the magnets are allowed to cool. I don't remember what the magnetic ratio loss was when heated above 212 degrees. I'm sure you can do a google and find out.

[Jig Man]

Mark I have a mold that has been modified to the point that I have to use a magnetic strip to hold the hooks on some cavities.  So far nothing has happened to it.

[mark poulson]

Thanks guys.

[Ogajiga]

No magic EZ pour solid set alloy eh?  Thanks for the experiences.

[mark poulson]

I did my first pour yesterday with the magnets installed in the jig mold, and they are still good.  I set my mold on top of my lead pot while it was heating/melting, and did three runs, just to see how they held up.  Fingers crossed.