Low cost choices for fluxing?

[gbrown]

I have begun to process my wheel weights in a casting pot since my 10 lb. Lee bottom pour is a no go for smelting. I have been trying to learn how to achieve a desired BHN on the first try. ////// My last attempt to reach 19 BHN by alloying WW, 70/30 and tin got me to 20.1 BHN.

Are you smelting raw WW and adding a source of tin at the same time? I try to clean my WW up during the smelting and flux many times. Whenever I need harder alloy, I then mix pure lead--from plumbers, roofers, etc.--and linotype. Supposed to come out like Lyman #2, but what I have been getting is 18-19 bhn after 2 week aging. I have tested the pure lead and it comes out at 8-10 bhn after aging. Which leads me to wonder, "Is there any pure lead left out there?" All recycled stuff? Using a Lee Lead tester, btw. An 98/02 mix of WW and solder gave me a bhn of around 16. Can't remember the exact solder I used, whether it was 60/40, 50/50 or what. Whoops, had to change that.

[just.don]

Rotometal 70/30 Lead/Antimony

From a thread he started, odd how I was just reading that one and then this one.
Maybe I need another job, or a hobby or something.

I normally wouldn't try to answer for others, but the sequence of events....... , and I figured clearing that up early couldn't hurt and shouldn't offend.

[H.Callahan]

Yeah, I was thinking that I wanted to find out where he was shooting and do some berm mining!

[fredj338]

Gear, crayons = wax = carbon, right?

Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express

You know many of thosd cheap crayons are a plastic not wax. I would pass on adding that to my melt pot. It doesn't get any cheaper & better than sawdust. Every HomeDepot or Lowes has it for free, just take a 2qt plastic bag & ask.

[gbrown]

You know many of thosd cheap crayons are a plastic not wax. I would pass on adding that to my melt pot. It doesn't get any cheaper & better than sawdust. Every HomeDepot or Lowes has it for free, just take a 2qt plastic bag & ask.

Are you getting the sawdust from plywood (with glue/adhesive) or actual wood? Wood is good, the other is not, necessarily. Any source of cellulose (wood) is good. Additives are not, some can be hazardous.

[fredj338]

Are you getting the sawdust from plywood (with glue/adhesive) or actual wood? Wood is good, the other is not, necessarily. Any source of cellulose (wood) is good. Additives are not, some can be hazardous.

As I noted earlier post, no MDF, no plywood. You can still find it at home stores, just have to pay attention to what you are scooping up. I know they cut a lot of plywood, which isn't as much glue, but I use solid wood. A few cuts trhu a 2x4 will ield enough sawdust for many #s of smelting. I use a tbs for about 20#, stir w/ a large wood paint stick. When I cast, I just use the paint stick.

[Balduran]

pet stores have wood shavings for bedding. its all i use anymore as the kids get it in bags for the rotten smellie house weasle.

[H.Callahan]

pet stores have wood shavings for bedding. its all i use anymore as the kids get it in bags for the rotten smellie house weasle.

Just make sure you don't confuse the new stuff with the used stuff!