Solder score from work

[SODAPOPMG]

I just got about 60lbs of solder for free
its 63% tin/37% lead they cleaned out the wave solder machine and got rid of shelf life expired solder
the blocks are about 10 pounds each
not the first time for this, have more tin than i more than likely will ever need

[runfiverun]

it's not that hard to sell here.

[ShootR]

Are you going to sell any?

[rancher1913]

how does it have a "shelf life"

[OS OK]

how does it have a "shelf life"

From the expertise of some 'bean counter'?

[RogerDat]

how does it have a "shelf life"

Flux core is I think the main reason. It ages and degrades/evaporates. But tarnish build up can be another. Hard to keep it bright and shiny for more than 3 years. And the oxides (tarnish) make for a weak joint.

I thought I was having a good day. Managed to get a good price on 24# of 60/40 and a block of wiping solder (genuine Bell Co.) but free beats the price I paid that's for sure.

[dterninko]

Nice score!

I used to work for an electronics manufacturer and we would routinely test the solder for contamination (usually gold believe it or not) in the wave older machine and empty the pot at least once per month and put fresh solder in. At the time I was not into reloading or casting. Literally about 500 lbs per month would go to the scrap pile. A few guys would grab a block or two for making sinkers, but off the rest went

[SODAPOPMG]

not planning to sell any at this time
you know the really dumb thing that my company was doing was to pay to depose of the solder as hazardous waste

[lightman]

Nice Score! Thats a good source for tin and you can't beat that price.

[alamogunr]

I've posted here before that I "helped" my former employer(I'm retired) dispose of over 700# of 40/60 solid wire solder that they were going to pay Hazardous Materials company to dispose of. I've still got over 450# after using some, trading some and repaying favors with some. Despite the belief of some that 40/60 solder doesn't exist, I have proof in original boxes. No! I'm not going to ship any to an unbeliever to prove it. Good score, OP.

I've also got about 65-70 one pound spools of flux core solder. I haven't looked at it in years. The one time I tried to melt some down, it made such a mess that I didn't ever want to fool with it again. I may try to use it up in small increments so that the flux is minimized.