White metal melting point?

[Dorsetmike]

Can anybody give an exact figure for the melting point of white metal used in kits? I think possibly the value may differ between manufacturers, if so then the lowest figure would be useful.

Up until recently I have used a 35 year old Weller WECP which is temperature variable from about 50ºC up to 450ºC, I have just bought a new Weller WHS40LT which claims to be 50-350, but the control only has markings 1-6, no temperature; I've also been given another Weller a PSU81 which runs between 150 - 450 and the control is marked in degrees.

I was surprised to find the 150º setting did not melt white metal from a BHE kit, nor some ABS/Beaver torpedo vents, they did start to melt just under 200º (guess 180-190 ish, I've yet to try it on a P D Marsh kit which from previous experience might be a bit lower.

I've got a digi thermometer coming so should be able to calibrate the 1-6 markings and maybe add some intermediate markings between the 50º marks on the PSU81. If all goes well it maybe worth putting the melting point(s) in the knowledge base.

[EtchedPixels]

Can anybody give an exact figure for the melting point of white metal used in kits? I think possibly the value may differ between manufacturers, if so then the lowest figure would be useful.

It varies enormously and depends upon the age of the kit as well because mixes have changed over time. Be extremely careful melting down old kits, some of them contain cadmium as a hardener and that is toxic on skin contact and very very toxic in vapour form.

Some of the figures (particularly wargaming ones) are mixes designed to melt at very low temperatures as an "anti-piracy" measure.

About the lowest you can go is a stuff called "woods metal" which nowdays has been replaced by a safer mix called "Field's alloy" which melts at around 62°C. There are a variety of much cheaper variants that are a lot cheaper and melt about 10°C higher