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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    South America
    Age
    24
    Posts
    3

    Default Help with 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. I also want to add that this graphite crucible is the kind that looks like a thick glass.
    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:

    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.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Hi Danbre,
    Sorry about this .In case you wondered why no one answered is that that the post was auto-moderated and I did not notice it.
    All new members who post a photo in their first ten posts are auto-moderated requiring a mod to approve the post. It is now approved, meaning that folks other than you or I can now read it.

    Cheers
    Grahame

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,656

    Default

    irst off "DO NOT MIX THE BORAX WITH WATER" it will explode in you face, wear eye protection the 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

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