soft solder - 50/50 - lead ???

[GTOJohn]

any old plumbers out there?

is there a use for the old lead 50/50 soft solder?

i have a few rolls - and i am wondering if anyone has found a use for 50/50, or if they take it to the scrap yard.
its been years since folks have used this in their water pipes (as far as i know).

[Robarons]

If were the same page- do you mean the 50% Tin, 50% lead solder?

That stuff is crazy popular (and expensive) from where I am from for local guys- dont know what they do with it but they want it.

The scrap yard will gladly buy it like other lead, might even give you more no matter what kind it is. The tin is worth $9/pound as we speak.

[plus1hdcp]

I know it is used in bullet casting. I would be interested. What is the weight of the rolls?

[GTOJohn]

yes, the 50% lead.
the spools are 1 lb each.
ive had them for years, just never thought about looking for a use.

[jasmatk]

you are n0t supsosed to use it but sometimes plumbers do.95/5 is crap and will not take to some older copper pipes and in that case 50/50 is used .Im a gas pipe fitter and know alot of regular plumbers and they all still use 50/50 on occasion.say your installing a fixture on a old house that has all 50/50 allready it doesnt really matter if you use it becouse the house is allready full of it.

[GTOJohn]

i never thought about using it on old copper.
i guess i was thinking 'keep it away from the building inspector'

but you are right - there are times when 50/50 is the only thing that will work.
guess i'll keep my rolls.

thanx for your replies.

[abe]

50/50 can be used on heating systems that have copper pipe. Or from time-time, there is a tough joint to sweat with moisture in the pipe, 50/50 is used. Not suppose to be but it is used because it melts alot quicker.