View Full Version : Yellow powder
huntnfish72
05-08-2013, 08:19 PM
New to casting. I was casting today, took 15 minute break and returned and there was a yellow powder on top of lead about 1/8 inch thick. I threw wax in to flux but it wouldn't mix. What is it?
Lizard333
05-08-2013, 08:44 PM
Oxides would be my guess. Skim and continue casting. I put sawdust in top of my melt to prevent that.
huntnfish72
05-08-2013, 10:54 PM
Doesn't sawdust smoke like hell the whole time?
RickinTN
05-09-2013, 06:39 AM
Sawdust won't really smoke any longer than wax of course depending on how much you use. Wax is a reductant, but not a flux. Sawdust is a flux. If you don't already have one get a lead thermometer and keep your pot under 750 degrees. I like to run between 680 and 720 degrees. The hotter you run the melt the easier it oxidizes and causes the layer you're talking about. I have a hard time getting the oxidation to return to the mix with wax or sawdust so I try to avoid it by temperature control so I don't have the problem.
Good Luck,
Rick
Lizard333
05-09-2013, 09:49 AM
If you don't like the smoke, light it. It'll burn. What's left will prevent the oxidation.
303Guy
05-11-2013, 01:39 AM
If you don't like the smoke, light it. It'll burn. What's left will prevent the oxidation.
Lighting it is fun. Just keep your head well back! Don't ask how I know.[smilie=1:
That yellow powder is not what you want to breath in and it does dust up easily. It's lead oxide (mostly) and is readily absorbed through the lungs.
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