What is white metal?

5694 Views 34 Replies 10 Participants Last post by rkapuaala, Jun 13, 2008

Matt Vogt

Discussion Starter · Jun 9, 2008

I realize that 'white metal' is probably a loose term, and there is not one answer to this question, but I would like to cast in metal, and I'm hoping that there is an easy way to make solder stronger by adding something to it. I remember reading something last year about adding something, but could not find it in the archives. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Matt

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Matt Vogt

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 9, 2008

Thanks, Tom.

So maybe a better question would be: Is there a reasonable way to make solder stronger by adding components?

Also, does anyone have a source for white metal to cast?

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Matt Vogt

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 10, 2008

You are correct, Richard. The Secret Service has been notified of this thread./DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/blush.gif

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Matt Vogt

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 10, 2008

You do mean snips for cutting up pennies, riiigghht?

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Matt Vogt

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 10, 2008

Wellll, I just got off the phone with American Tin & Solder Company. They were very helpful and patient with this newbie. I ordered 11 lbs of a pewter white-metal (ATS 88) for $11/lb plus $9.30 in shipping. He said it should be plenty strong enough for train wheels/tires. We'll see if it was money well spent, or money I should not have spent.
If anyone has any hints on how to cast metal, besides preheating the mold, pouring from as high as possible and plenty of vents, please let me know.
I guess I'd better get started making molds!

(I'll keep you posted on progress or failures.)

Thanks for your help, gents!
Matt

Edit: I forgot to mention how helpful Tekcast Industries was, even though from the beginning of the conversation he knew I was not purchasing enough from them (at least 25 lb min.) He spoke with me, giving advice for at least ten minutes with no hope of a sale.

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Matt Vogt

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jun 10, 2008

Posted By rkapuaala on 06/10/2008 10:19 AM
you can only cut up a few pennies with snips. A torch on the other hand!

Muuh ha ha!/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/w00t.gif

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Matt Vogt

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jun 11, 2008

Posted By John R on 06/11/2008 6:17 AM
Another source of scrap for casting is old Trophies ...

Regards,
John.

That's a great idea, John! The wife has a bunch of old trophies in the attic that she never looks at..

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Matt Vogt

Discussion Starter · #22 · Jun 11, 2008

Posted By rkapuaala on 06/11/2008 10:09 AM
I just got time to check out that site Matt. If you're casting wheels and tires from this stuff, it might be too soft. Looks like most folks use them for bullets and to determine bore diameter and rifiling. I would also be concerned about the lead content. It doesn't list the metals used in the alloy.

Richard, I assume (and hope) you are talking about the Cerrosafe selling website, and not the 'American Tin & Solder' site: American Tin and Solder (can't figure out what I'm doing wrong with the link, but I sure love the new software
It does list the lead content on my item as 8.5%. I do not generally chew on it while casting, so I thought it to be a safe enough level. Others will, I'm sure, disagree. /DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/whistling.gif

Let me know what you think of the alloy, if you would.
Take care,
Matt

(Matt

If you're going to use that format you have to use the HTML version.

Display text goes here

If you just want to use the UBB/BBC tags then use the following format.

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