Church Organ Pipes

Hi all,



I've just been given approx 100Kg's of old church organ pipe.
Most of these are crushed or damaged beyond repair so are only good for scrap.

I was told that some are made from Lead, some made from Tin and some are a Lead/Tin alloy.

Does anyone know how I could seperate the lead ones fron the Tin?
I don't want to be getting paid for lead pipes when they are in fact tin!

Kind regards
Neil

Distinguishing tin from lead pipes is easy, when you bend tin it cries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_cry

It;s not worth the time and chemicals to refine the lead from the tin alloy, sell your pipes as is.

Thanks Gustavus,

I never knew Tin did that!
I've been out and tried a few and sure enough some of them crackle when i bend them.

I know what you mean when you say not to bother refining the alloy to seperate them, been there done that, won't be doing it again.

Regards
Neil

Well I learn something new every day! I never knew that either! thanks gus!

You might want to check with an organ builder, they might be interested in the material even if its not repairable as a pipe. Especially if its old. Instrument builders are very particular about materials.