Thanks: 0
Likes: 0
Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 3 of 3
Thread: Safely melting silver
-
4th Sep 2018, 07:37 AM #1New Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2018
- Location
- South America
- Age
- 24
- Posts
- 3
Safely melting silver
Hello. I was looking for some advice and info from people who actually know how to melt metals, hopefully you can help me. I am currently trying to melt some silver. I will be using an electric furnace and a small graphite crucible.
How do you guys think I should go about this? Keep in mind I am a total newbie.
My first issue is the small graphite crucible. It's brand new so it still has graphite powder on the inside, gets my fingers dirty.
Should I clean this residue? If so how should I clean it?
I am also under the impression I should preheat the crucible before it's first use. Is it always supposed to be preheated before use or just the first time? Also any advice on how to preheat a graphite crucible is apreciated.
I also have borax powder. It is my understanding I should mix it with water. I would still thank some advice on how and when to use the borax powder.
Finally this is the ingot I will be pouring the silver into:
ingot mould.jpg
I think I am supposed to heat it before the pouring. Is this correct? Also any advice on this matter would also be apreciated.
Thank you.
-
5th Sep 2018, 03:37 PM #2China
- Join Date
- Dec 2005
- Location
- South Australia
- Posts
- 1,657
First off "DO NOT MIX THE BORAX WITH WATER" it will explode in you face, wear eye protectionthe mould needs to be dry and oiled and heated to a point that it is too hot to handle.The Borax is added as a powder to the melt to prevent oxidization and to remove impurities Although I do this once or twice a week, I do not use a furnace I use a oxy/LPG torch and clay crucibles so I am not a expert using graphite with a furnace, just set the temperature at what ever the melting point is + a short soaking time for the type of Silver you are using, I assume you would add the Borax at the beginning.Post this in the jewellery section you may get a better answer
-
6th Sep 2018, 12:58 PM #3New Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2018
- Location
- South America
- Age
- 24
- Posts
- 3
Thanks for the advice man. I will be careful not to mix them together and will post it on the jewellery section.
Similar Threads
-
How much can I safely lift on this structure?
By Bryan in forum METALWORK GENERALReplies: 33Last Post: 14th Sep 2013, 09:40 PM -
How to safely dismantle a gas shock absorber
By simonl in forum METALWORK GENERALReplies: 25Last Post: 20th Apr 2012, 04:23 PM -
Safely Weld a Car Tailgate?
By abrogard in forum WELDINGReplies: 38Last Post: 16th May 2011, 05:52 PM -
Melting aluminium
By Ch4iS in forum THE FOUNDRYReplies: 32Last Post: 15th Aug 2009, 12:17 AM -
Just brazed up fuel tank-safely
By Mathuranatha in forum WELDINGReplies: 3Last Post: 8th Jun 2009, 09:43 PM