Flux ???

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Flux ???

Post by larryw »

Howdy folks, hope everyone's doing well & making the best of insane times!!
Question for the Highly Experienced Silver Stream Gods.
During my short & limited casting journeys, sawdust, usually from Home Depot,
(Yea, I know, bad chemicals?) Is all I have ever used to flux. Now, I have a good bit
of smelting to do & can't get sawdust? But, I do have a good size slab of clean wax.
I have never used wax?? Sure would like to score some clean firewood sawdust but,
wax it is for now. Please educamate me oh great galena geezers & geezetts.. :D I
I know RD, I know?? Shut up & go back to sleep Larry!!!!!
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Re: Flux ???

Post by klr »

Hey Larry - How about if I mail you a large flat-rate box of fresh sawdust? I cut down a dead elm tree a few weeks ago and I'll be cutting it into firewood very soon. I'm also going to be cutting some eastern red cedar soon. I can send some of that if you don't like elm. But cedar pops and cracks a lot when it's burned, so that may not be good for flux. I've never tried it, however. I can send some of each too.

Let me know.
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Re: Flux ???

Post by Ohio3Wheels »

I've used wax either candle or canning. It works beware that it will catch and burn off. I've never had it flash over. Right now I'm using a 3 quart cast iron pot on a turkey fryer for all my melting needs and I've been using a couple of kitchen matches or I stir with a paint stir stick. I'd really like to cover the surface with sawdust but since I use dipper I'm not sure how well that would work.

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Re: Flux ???

Post by Macd »

I use sawdust when making ingots and beeswax for the lead pot when making bullets. If you stir it in immediately it doesn't flame. I used to use paraffin wax but it flames quickly and doesn't have the nice honey smell of beeswax. Beeswax candles can be found in most craft stores.
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Re: Flux ???

Post by GasGuzzler »

I grab a big bag of store brand votive candles that are made to float. They flame up but I don't really care. I don't flux my casting pot, only my smelting pot.
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Re: Flux ???

Post by larryw »

klr wrote:Hey Larry - How about if I mail you a large flat-rate box of fresh sawdust? I cut down a dead elm tree a few weeks ago and I'll be cutting it into firewood very soon. I'm also going to be cutting some eastern red cedar soon. I can send some of that if you don't like elm. But cedar pops and cracks a lot when it's burned, so that may not be good for flux. I've never tried it, however. I can send some of each too.

Let me know.
Wow, thank you Kir, much appreciated, that would be great..
Don't know a thing about elm but, have "heard" cedar is a great flux due to the oil???
I bet it will smell good?? PM coming.
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Re: Flux ???

Post by orerancher »

I use Pine Shavings Ment for Hamster Bedding ...Buy It at the Pet Store....Cheap, Smells Good, and Most Important, DRY!! Use It in My Smelting Pot....
In My Casting Pot I use any kind of Candle Wax...
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Re: Flux ???

Post by larryw »

Is that hamster stuff just saw dust or is it treated with something?
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Re: Flux ???

Post by Ohio3Wheels »

larryw wrote:Is that hamster stuff just saw dust or is it treated with something?
I think you can find it both plain and treated.

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Re: Flux ???

Post by orerancher »

larryw wrote:Is that hamster stuff just saw dust or is it treated with something?
Stuff I get is just Plain Pine Shavings, Not Treated with anything...
Again I like It because It's DRY...
Start Stirrin Wet Sawdust into the Melt...You maybe Invitin the Tinsel Fairy for a Visit...
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