Has anyone used leadfree solder for casting a end cap?

Ask Shiloh questions about your Shiloh Sharps Rifle.

Moderators: Kirk, Lucinda

Post Reply
Fiatmom
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 3:03 pm

Has anyone used leadfree solder for casting a end cap?

Post by Fiatmom »

I have pounds of lead free solder and I was going to pour a fore end cap with it. I know pewter is usually used, but since this has a melting point of 430 F and is almost pure tin with some silver and antimony would it work?
Nick
BFD
Posts: 2789
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:36 pm

Re: Has anyone used leadfree solder for casting a end cap?

Post by BFD »

I think it will work just fine. You could however, just test it on a scrap and then recycle the solder.
BFD
Posts: 2789
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:36 pm

Re: Has anyone used leadfree solder for casting a end cap?

Post by BFD »

I think it will work just fine. You could however, just test it on a scrap and then recycle the solder.
James
Posts: 80
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2015 8:42 am
Location: Colorado

Re: Has anyone used leadfree solder for casting a end cap?

Post by James »

Yes, this one is 95% tin 5% antimony.
ImageIMG_0484 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
There’s no horse so dead it can’t be beat a bit more.
Fiatmom
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 3:03 pm

Re: Has anyone used leadfree solder for casting a end cap?

Post by Fiatmom »

Thanks for the input, And you did a really nice job.
Nick
Fiatmom
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 3:03 pm

Re: Has anyone used leadfree solder for casting a end cap?

Post by Fiatmom »

I did my first test cap last night and out turned out well.
I had some slimy dross on top, should I flux to get rid of that?
I also had bubbles come up through the tip, could this have been moisture in the wood, or just shrinking/leaks?
James
Posts: 80
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2015 8:42 am
Location: Colorado

Re: Has anyone used leadfree solder for casting a end cap?

Post by James »

You may of heated the metal to high. It needs to be fluid is all. Pictures are always nice if you can.
There’s no horse so dead it can’t be beat a bit more.
John Bly
Posts: 1078
Joined: Thu May 13, 2010 12:32 pm
Location: Stephens City, VA

Re: Has anyone used leadfree solder for casting a end cap?

Post by John Bly »

The bubbles are probably steam from moisture in the wood. Before pouring a nosecap I always have a soldering iron hot and pour out a little strip of the melt to use for repairing bubbles and voids. You don't want your melt much hotter than the melt temp when you pour it to keep bubbles to a minimum. We used to pour babbit bearings and the rule of thumb was it was the right temp to pour when it would char a pine stick but not ignite it. That's way too hot to pour onto wood.
"Perfection consists not so much in doing extraordinary things as in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well"
Kurt
Posts: 8428
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:28 pm
Location: Not Far enough NW in Illinois

Re: Has anyone used leadfree solder for casting a end cap?

Post by Kurt »

When I poured Babbitt seats or bearings as well as wiping pipe joints using wiping solder I would roll up news paper and give it a quick dip in the pot to look at the shade of brown when it's ready for use.
The reason a dog has so many friends is because he wags his tail instead of his tongue.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"Winston Churchill
Post Reply