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Anyone here do anything dealing with melting silver? (I did it!! Check my last post)
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morbidsteve
Posts: 571 ✭✭✭
I'm working on making some jewelry and as I'm waiting for my Amazon order to come in with hopefully all I will need to melt the silver, I am attempting to melt it in a stainless steel dish. When the silver is elevated (leaning on it's side, but only touching the dish at a couple of points) I can melt the silver, but as soon as it falls over itself it solidifies. This tells me that the dish is dispersing the heat too fast.
So I'm doing as much research as I can and I'm seeing that I need to use some Borax. I'm trying to find the reason why Borax lowers the melting point. That's the first thing. Does anyone know?
Secondly, if anyone else does anything in which melting silver is a priority, maybe you could share how you've done your setup? Right now I'm just using a propane torch (which will supposedly reach 2000 degrees, and I know that it CAN melt the silver, as I already have done so).
What say you?
So I'm doing as much research as I can and I'm seeing that I need to use some Borax. I'm trying to find the reason why Borax lowers the melting point. That's the first thing. Does anyone know?
Secondly, if anyone else does anything in which melting silver is a priority, maybe you could share how you've done your setup? Right now I'm just using a propane torch (which will supposedly reach 2000 degrees, and I know that it CAN melt the silver, as I already have done so).
What say you?
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<< <i>Great topic, thank you
You're welcome?
<< <i>I'm working on making some jewelry and as I'm waiting for my Amazon order to come in with hopefully all I will need to melt the silver, I am attempting to melt it in a stainless steel dish. When the silver is elevated (leaning on it's side, but only touching the dish at a couple of points) I can melt the silver, but as soon as it falls over itself it solidifies. This tells me that the dish is dispersing the heat too fast.
So I'm doing as much research as I can and I'm seeing that I need to use some Borax. I'm trying to find the reason why Borax lowers the melting point. That's the first thing. Does anyone know?
Secondly, if anyone else does anything in which melting silver is a priority, maybe you could share how you've done your setup? Right now I'm just using a propane torch (which will supposedly reach 2000 degrees, and I know that it CAN melt the silver, as I already have done so).
What say you? >>
What kind of torch , a hand held? Small torches don't put out enough total heat is my bet.
Probably a small arc furnace/crucible arrangement would work. I think you could find plans on the internet to Mcgyver up something cheaply
youtube <><><> propane furnace
<< <i>Map gas, with a ceramic crucible. Then heating the mold as well before the pour. 1600 degrees. >>
Link him to some of your melt threads , tnieg
Flux or borax is used to pick up surface contamination and prevent further oxidation. It doesn't lower melt point.
As mentioned by others, you can get started with MAP gas which burns hotter than propane. A ceramic crucible is a must. For small melts, mine is 4" in diameter and about 1/2 in deep and is fitted with a metal attachment and wood handle.
Wear safety glasses.
Check out Rio Grand jewelry supply for tools etc.
Got quoins?
1: melting silver
2: the ceramic ring, or were they purchased separately?
Actually interested in thread, no sarcasm intended :-)
Ok, now tips on copper?
As for copper, it's melting point is 1934 Fahrenheit. So a propane torch won't be able to do that.
<< <i>Re???
Actually interested in thread, no sarcasm intended :-)
Ok, now tips on copper? >>
f
Melts and castings are done with bronze. This uses a large carbon/graphite crucible in a furnace. The pour is done in a sand cast or lost wax for smaller castings.
Copper melts are usually done for recycle.
Got quoins?
<< <i>How'd the bronze agers do it? And without furnaces, graphite crucibles, steel tongs and splash guards? >>
Yo, Cladking!
<< <i><< How'd the bronze agers do it? And without furnaces, graphite crucibles, steel tongs and splash guards? >> >>
It looked pretty easy when Humphrey Bogart fixed the Africa Queens propeller and shaft in the jungle.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
<< <i>please do, I've always wanted to do this myself someday. >>
Oh, I will. I have a dealft clay mold of a cross ready to roll as soon as I can melt!
Here's the molten silver. .999 bars.
And here's what I made. I love the kind of not production look. Looks like amateur hour (which it is) and I love that look more than anything! Check out this engagement ring (haha, jk)
And here are the two final products
Please let me know what you think!
Steve
Did getting away from the iron pan help?
<< <i>Looks like fun!
Did getting away from the iron pan help? >>
Nope. Tried it in a ceramic crucible and still failed.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Loves me some shiny!