The reason the borax bubbles is that it is hydrated. When you heat it, the water is released. If you just let it bubble on top, the water won't get in the metal. Then the borax ends up as a glassy liquid. Works great for copper.
Here's a good discussion on using borax. The most common flux I've heard used is pine sawdust. Apparently the sawdust turns to carbon and scavenges any oxygen, including any that might be in the alloy.
Yes, that's due to borax's hydroscopic nature alright. It has a tendency to draw moisture from the air when left sitting around, so I try to minimize that effect by keeping it in sealed containers while not in use. Definitely a good idea to wear some protective clothing (especially for the eyes) when using it for fluxing, since it bubbles a fair bit. I actually appreciate a little bit of bubbling when I submerse a flux compound, as it disturbs the melt, causing more impurities to come in contact with the flux.
That's an important point Charles. Fluxes are distinguished by whether the mainly scavenge the oxygen from the metal or whether they mainly remove impurities. Carbon-based fluxes like sawdust focus mainly on the former (although they clean as well), while fluxes like Marvelux and borax excel more at removing impurities. So, when I am melting down a batch of wheel weights, turning them into 1 pound bars for later use, I use a lot of sawdust and then, when I am preparing for bullet casting, I switch to Marvelux or borax to focus more on the cleaning aspect. The cleanliness/purity of the metal alloy is far more important to good bullet production than trying to prevent tiny, tiny losses of tin due to oxidation once I get to that point.
Thanks for your comment. No, it won't flux out zinc. But, if melted down properly, you won't have any zinc in the wheel weight mixture anyway, so I wouldn't worry. Zinc's melting temperature is far enough above the melting point of lead.
Yes, that's something to be careful of alright. I now use a spice shaker to sprinkle the borax thinly over the molten surface. It seems I need only very little borax to clean the alloy well, compared to the Marvelux I used to use.
@@Jazz-ji9zu Ah, I see it's called a "Lead Dipper" on the RCBS site. You can find it at this link: www.rcbs.com/bullet-casting/accessories/lead-dipper/16-80015.html
Hi James. Anything that works. For years I used to use just an old Coleman stove and a little pot for melting my lead and using a ladle to pour into the moulds. Borax works well for fluxing and it's so easily available. Thanks for subscribing!
The goal of maintenance is to preserve the life of your equipment and its ability to function like new - not to please your eye. I've been using that melting pot trouble-free for over 30 years, turning out excellent bullets. Instead of being perturbed, perhaps you should be pleased to see it's not some unrealistically, laboratory-clean environment using brand new equipment (perhaps supplied free by a manufacturer to hawk their product) but, instead, a realistic one. It's providing evidence of how good quality equipment stands up over time.
@@TheWaytoNativeChronicles Very well damn said!😂😂👍👍👍 💡Worrying about how something or someone looks is what's wrong society now, instead of putting more thought into the performance😕👍👍👍
what an ugly mess. not quite the way to do it. saw dust, wood chips and some bees wax is far superior. and my goodness you put all that crud in such a nice furnace. I guess you dont have another pot and heat source to clean and flux your alloy so you can make some good clean ingots to put in such a nice furnace as that RCBS to cast whatever your casting.
Heh. Thanks for the warning. I didn't realize that - after 40 years of doing it this way - that my 35 year old RCBS melting pot will be ruined in no time now because it looks messy. Hopefully you caught this in time, so I can change my ways and save my equipment from an early demise. Thanks for taking the time to share your opinion though, anyway. Cheers!
The reason the borax bubbles is that it is hydrated. When you heat it, the water is released. If you just let it bubble on top, the water won't get in the metal. Then the borax ends up as a glassy liquid. Works great for copper.
Here's a good discussion on using borax. The most common flux I've heard used is pine sawdust. Apparently the sawdust turns to carbon and scavenges any oxygen, including any that might be in the alloy.
Yes, that's due to borax's hydroscopic nature alright. It has a tendency to draw moisture from the air when left sitting around, so I try to minimize that effect by keeping it in sealed containers while not in use. Definitely a good idea to wear some protective clothing (especially for the eyes) when using it for fluxing, since it bubbles a fair bit.
I actually appreciate a little bit of bubbling when I submerse a flux compound, as it disturbs the melt, causing more impurities to come in contact with the flux.
That's an important point Charles. Fluxes are distinguished by whether the mainly scavenge the oxygen from the metal or whether they mainly remove impurities. Carbon-based fluxes like sawdust focus mainly on the former (although they clean as well), while fluxes like Marvelux and borax excel more at removing impurities. So, when I am melting down a batch of wheel weights, turning them into 1 pound bars for later use, I use a lot of sawdust and then, when I am preparing for bullet casting, I switch to Marvelux or borax to focus more on the cleaning aspect. The cleanliness/purity of the metal alloy is far more important to good bullet production than trying to prevent tiny, tiny losses of tin due to oxidation once I get to that point.
Does it work for silver as well?
Does the Borax flux out the zinc that could be in your wheel weight mixture?
Thanks for your comment. No, it won't flux out zinc. But, if melted down properly, you won't have any zinc in the wheel weight mixture anyway, so I wouldn't worry. Zinc's melting temperature is far enough above the melting point of lead.
We used to use ant and roach killer as flux when I was a goldsmith. I believe it was boric acid.
Heh. Interesting! Yes, I believe that stuff is borax. I've heard that it works on ants because the sharp crystals cut their body parts.
I do believe that I'll stick with candles my dude. I appreciate it though 🤗
Borax will absorb a lot of moisture and thusly the reactive nature.
Yes, that's something to be careful of alright. I now use a spice shaker to sprinkle the borax thinly over the molten surface. It seems I need only very little borax to clean the alloy well, compared to the Marvelux I used to use.
Would it help to dry out the borax a bit by heating it some on a low heat?
it bubbles cuz it dehydrates :) if you give it some time do loose water then it will stop bubbling
Thanks, I hadn't thought of that!
What do you call the ladle tool?
Actually, I think we just call it a "ladle."
@@TheWaytoNativeChronicles lol, if I were to go look for one, because I want one, what would I search for. Cause ladle doesn't find it.
The spelling error is why I couldn't find it. Easily found when I searched "foundry ladle."
@@Jazz-ji9zu Ah, I see it's called a "Lead Dipper" on the RCBS site. You can find it at this link: www.rcbs.com/bullet-casting/accessories/lead-dipper/16-80015.html
Does fluxing result in a softer lead than the original alloy?
No, it has no effect on the hardness of the lead Kurt. The main purpose behind fluxing is to remove impurities from the lead.
@@TheWaytoNativeChronicles thank you for a prompt reply.
How much quantity of flux should be use for metling solder dross per 100g
I use borax but in my old cast iron skillet. Recently found your channel.
Hi James. Anything that works. For years I used to use just an old Coleman stove and a little pot for melting my lead and using a ladle to pour into the moulds. Borax works well for fluxing and it's so easily available. Thanks for subscribing!
😮
Yes, it's true it can be done.
that pot top is about as nasty a thing as I have ever seen. Do you EVER maintain your equipment?
The goal of maintenance is to preserve the life of your equipment and its ability to function like new - not to please your eye. I've been using that melting pot trouble-free for over 30 years, turning out excellent bullets. Instead of being perturbed, perhaps you should be pleased to see it's not some unrealistically, laboratory-clean environment using brand new equipment (perhaps supplied free by a manufacturer to hawk their product) but, instead, a realistic one. It's providing evidence of how good quality equipment stands up over time.
@@TheWaytoNativeChronicles I like the way you think
@@TheWaytoNativeChronicles Very well damn said!😂😂👍👍👍 💡Worrying about how something or someone looks is what's wrong society now, instead of putting more thought into the performance😕👍👍👍
@@catherineharris4746 even more very damn said!!
what an ugly mess. not quite the way to do it. saw dust, wood chips and some bees wax is far superior. and my goodness you put all that crud in such a nice furnace. I guess you dont have another pot and heat source to clean and flux your alloy so you can make some good clean ingots to put in such a nice furnace as that RCBS to cast whatever your casting.
Heh. Thanks for the warning. I didn't realize that - after 40 years of doing it this way - that my 35 year old RCBS melting pot will be ruined in no time now because it looks messy. Hopefully you caught this in time, so I can change my ways and save my equipment from an early demise. Thanks for taking the time to share your opinion though, anyway. Cheers!
@@TheWaytoNativeChronicles 😂😂😂😂😂😂👍
I always thought the performance was more important than the looks😕 Am i missing something before i get into this lead melting thing?