where can i find linotype?

Was looking at about a 100 lbs of linotype in the scrap yard the other day. They wanted $1.00 a pound, which I thought was too much for an uncertain alloy. (Scots ancestry :D )

Turns out Harris Metal, (10% tin, 15% antimony and 75% lead) and probably other heavy duty bearing metals are actually higher in tin and antimony than linotype which is 4% tin, 12% antimony and 84% lead, according to Rotometals:

Alloy consists of 4% tin, 12% antimony and 84% lead. This very hard alloy was designed to completely fill the molds used in the printing process prior to the development of computerized typesetting in the late 20th century. It is a bit hard for silhouette shooting or hunting bullets, as it tends to shatter when hitting metal plates or heavy bones. It is very good for higher velocity rifle bullets when target shooting. Often used as a basis for blending special alloys that require a higher percentage of antimony. If you have a good local source of pure lead, blend it 1 to 1 with Linotype alloy to produce Hardball alloy. The Brinell Hardness of this Linotype alloy is about 22.

Machinerys Handbook says Babbit is either lead base or tin base. The tin base kind is given as 89.3 % tin, 3.6% copper and 7.1% antimony. Probably most of the babbit out there is lead base, but I'll be checking for tin base as well.

MH says babbit has to be kept close to 870 degrees F when pouring to avoid separation of the component metals and needs constant stirring while heating to prevent "certain of the constituent metals rising to the top and becoming oxidized, as well as to prevent the heavier metals sinking to the bottom of the pot."
 
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