Columbian flux?

[I'll Make Mine]

I've been reading that sawdust makes excellent flux, as compared to various waxes that aren't true fluxes at all, just reductants (i.e. they'll pull some oxygen out of surface oxidation, but don't do much to keep alloy mixed etc.).

I don't have sawdust ready to hand, but I do have another material that's chemically similar, and ought to smell interesting as it burns off the melt: coffee grounds. My lady and I drink a couple pots a day, I could easily collect a couple pounds of dry grounds in a couple weeks (though I have to figure a good way to dry them, it may be as simple as spreading them a half inch thick on a paper towel in a warm oven, then dumping them into a can or jar when dry).

Anyone fluxed with coffee grounds? Good idea? Bad idea? I can get sawdust if I need to, but if I can use what I have...

[geargnasher]

It works quite well as a "true" flux, but stinks to buggary and the smoke doesn't light very well. I actually tried it in an attempt to find a less stinky flux (I love coffee), but it smells like burning tires.

Gear

[Gelandangan]

Coffee grounds are beautiful flux, as are tea leaves.

[Defcon-One]

The smell is the problem. Same with other food type products (nut shells, grains, etc.). All of the oils in the grounds burn and they really do stink up the area. I just found an 8 foot pine 2x4 and cut it into kindling for my wood stove. I had enough pine saw dust (FLUX) to last me a year just from that little project.

I have found that pine sawdust is as good as it gets! (It is pretty easy to make if you are determined to.)

Personally, I'd rather saw up some wood than dry used coffee grounds!

[jabo52521]

You know I have to try this. Thanks a lot.

[geargnasher]

Wheat germ works very well, too. But again it stinks bad.

I used fresh coffee grounds for my little experiment, for what it's worth.

Gear

[gwpercle]

I don't have a ready supply of sawdust either. But the pet stores sell wood shavings in big bags for pet bedding and the wood shavings work fine. I use the shavings with a little melted beeswax or parrafin to try to get the best of both types flux. The wood shavings absorb the beeswax and every thing gets stirred in.... smells good too .

gary

[williamwaco]

How about dried grass clippings?


Never tried it but most people have an easy supply.
.

[geargnasher]

How about dried grass clippings?


Never tried it but most people have an easy supply.
.

That's a good way to get the cops called on you if your neighbors are close.

Gear

[I'll Make Mine]

Next shopping day, I'll have to stop by the pet store and see what they want for wood curl pet bedding. While I'm in there, I'll look at lizard litter for my vibe tumbler, too (though I do have one box of walnut shell, plus the tumbler contents, left over from last time I ran the tumbler -- probably won't need media for a while). Meanwhile, I'd think spent grounds would stink less than fresh ones -- guess I'll dry a filter full and see what I get.

[williamwaco]

That's a good way to get the cops called on you if your neighbors are close.

Gear

75 feet.

Guess I better not try it.


.

[geargnasher]

Especially not if you have long hair or wear beads......

Gear

[D Crockett]

for all you guys that do not have any sawdust. I will give you a med flat rate box or a small flat rate box with as much sawdust shaveings that I can get into it. the wood will be oak that I have cut for use in my smokers. all I ask is you pay the shipping and if I break out the table saw I can do pine sawdust.just pm me and let me know D Crockett

[olaf455]

I don't have a ready supply of sawdust either. But the pet stores sell wood shavings in big bags for pet bedding and the wood shavings work fine. I use the shavings with a little melted beeswax or parrafin to try to get the best of both types flux. The wood shavings absorb the beeswax and every thing gets stirred in.... smells good too .

gary

I like to use sawdust first, then I skim the dross and follow it up with wax. Just lite the smoke and when it goes out I leave the thin carbon layer to protect the melt.

[a.squibload]

If you don't have free sawdust available,
this time of year the Big Box hardware stores will have Pellet Stove Fuel (pellets),
made of compressed sawdust, about $5 or less per 40 lb bag.
Wet them so they swell up, dry 'em out, instant sawdust with no glues, etc.
I have pellets around anyway for the stove. Makes good kitty litter too.

[I'll Make Mine]

Actually, I've spotted an alternate flux source that should work like a combination of sawdust and wax: my carport collects fallen oak leaves, and for several years my van had a power steering leak, so there's a layer of leaves that are soaked in ATF (my van uses ATF in the power steering). The leaves are similar composition to wood chips or dust, and the ATF will do what various waxes are usually used for -- and I'll be starting to clean up the old oily leaves!

[Von Dingo]

I'm gonna try pine needles when they get raked up in the yard.

[ronbo40s&w]

I used fresh concob media. Smelled like corn roasting on a campfire. Huge smoke until you light it, then nice roasting corn smell.

God Bless!

Ron

[John in WI]

A couple weeks ago I made a grocery bag of pine flux with a chunk of 2x4 and a spade bit on my drill. It really is worth the trouble!

As you mentioned, the pine critter-bedding you get at the pet store is an excellent alternative. More expensive than making your own, but not too much.

[tbj555]

Home Depot or Lowes will give you all the saw dust you can carry. They just throw it away.