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atom73
12-08-2010, 08:10 PM
Used a standard #2 pencil as a stir stick/flux while casting today in my lee pot. Worked great, just pulled the eraser end off one of the millions that my kids have around and stirred with it occasionally. I didn't have any bottom pour clogging issues or anything. Worked pretty well.
Mike :cbpour:

RobS
12-08-2010, 08:17 PM
That would work, but there are those cheap pencils that aren't made of real wood too. I am assuming you had one made of real wood as I can see the cheapies flaming out and melting.

atom73
12-08-2010, 08:44 PM
Nope, using the real thing.

lwknight
12-09-2010, 12:14 AM
Paint stirring sticks cost between cheap and free at most stores that sell paint.
You can split them in half if you want a narrower stirer.

fredj338
12-09-2010, 01:39 AM
Paint stirring sticks cost between cheap and free at most stores that sell paint.
You can split them in half if you want a narrower stirer.
Chop sticks work well for smaller pots, free @ most take-out places.

frkelly74
12-09-2010, 09:26 AM
Pencils seem to be a rare thing around here at times. Especially right by the phone. But I have plenty of saw dust .

Moonie
12-09-2010, 11:34 AM
Pencils I have, mechanical ones, all I can find when writing checks....pens disappear right about then.

Thankfully I have a supply of the commercial size paint stickes, free at Lowe's or Home Depot.

JDL
12-09-2010, 11:39 AM
I use fat lighter pine sticks or pine resine. Emits a very pleasant aroma.
JDL

xr650
12-09-2010, 02:20 PM
Wouldn't you get lead in your melt?
Or is this a super secret graphite alloy?
:kidding:

Larry Gibson
12-09-2010, 02:52 PM
I thought it was to get more lead in your pencil........:bigsmyl2:

Larry Gibson

onondaga
12-09-2010, 02:52 PM
Laughs on the graphite alloy. Graphite is a terrific anti-flux. I used the #2 pencil for scribbling on cobalt chrome partial denture framework repairs when micro-gas welding or resistance brazing when I worked as a Dental Lab owner. The graphite would keep the repair metal from flowing to undesired areas. The #2 pencil did carry over into my bullet casting in an unusual way. I scribble in the funnel gates of my bullet molds if they start to get lead sticking there. If I get smudges of lead on the under side of sprue plates or the top of molds, I scribble them also after cleaning them with heat and a brass brush. This keeps the molds nicely maintained for me.

Gary

Hardcast416taylor
12-09-2010, 03:41 PM
Now this is a way to use that dozen or more flat carpenter pencils that people gave me at one time or another. Their being flat means they would stir better than round ones.Robert

bruce drake
12-12-2010, 02:05 AM
I sometimes use pencils to stir my Lee 10lb pot. THey work fine and leave a good smell.

I primarily use sawdust and a old metal teaspoon that I inserted into a wooden handle (1" split dowel) with acraglass but sometimes I use a handy pencil if I can't find the flux spoon or my can of sawdust is low.

Bruce

stainless1911
12-12-2010, 02:57 AM
popsicle sticks work pretty well.

gwilliams2
12-12-2010, 10:24 PM
Paint stirring sticks work great..

XWrench3
12-13-2010, 09:40 AM
i steal the wifes wooden spoons. they work quite well, as long as they are dry. the wet ones cause the tinsel fairy to visit.