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Thread: pine shavings vs sawdust for flux

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    pine shavings vs sawdust for flux

    Just as the title says. Can shavings be used as well as sawdust?

  2. #2
    Boolit Master Cast10's Avatar
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    Sawdust, yes. As long as its not from treated wood. Chemicals. I’ve been using sawdust from white wood/cabinet shop. Works for me.

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy PJEagle's Avatar
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    They will both work. Untreated pine is the best.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Yes, either will work fine.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master

    imashooter2's Avatar
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    Smaller/thinner chips burn off faster and easier.
    ”We know they are lying, they know they are lying, they know we know they are lying, we know they know we know they are lying, yet they are still lying.” –Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn

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  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy Pablo 5959's Avatar
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    I use pine shavings from Tractor Supply. They seam to work fine. $5. Worth goes a long way.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Table saw,jointer.planer,chain saw,Have all worked for me.I agree pine is best.

  8. #8
    Boolit Bub
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    Last Sunday I used some pine chips from my spiral head planer (not fine dust) along with candle wax. I really like how it fluxed the pot better using both verses one or the other. The pine was some Nebraska beetle killed pine that was over 10 Years old but still a little sappy when I went to work it. The chips didn’t appear to be sappy at all.

    I have a barrel full of oak and one full of walnut (walnut fine) figured I try them next.

  9. #9
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    JonB_in_Glencoe's Avatar
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    I prefer dust over chips, but it all works, but dust works better.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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  10. #10
    Boolit Master
    Mal Paso's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Glwenzl View Post
    Last Sunday I used some pine chips from my spiral head planer (not fine dust) along with candle wax. I really like how it fluxed the pot better using both verses one or the other. The pine was some Nebraska beetle killed pine that was over 10 Years old but still a little sappy when I went to work it. The chips didn’t appear to be sappy at all.

    I have a barrel full of oak and one full of walnut (walnut fine) figured I try them next.
    I just got a spiral head planer, I had 3 Cubic Yards of chips in No Time! Cedar and Oak.

    I was thinking of S&S but the postage is more than the chips are worth.
    Mal

    Mal Paso means Bad Pass, just so you know.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master 44Blam's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mal Paso View Post
    I just got a spiral head planer, I had 3 Cubic Yards of chips in No Time! Cedar and Oak.

    I was thinking of S&S but the postage is more than the chips are worth.
    Cedar smells so nice...
    WWG1WGA

  12. #12
    Boolit Master



    Tazman1602's Avatar
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    Brownells magnaflux or Frankfort Armory flux has worked fine for me for over 20 years.

    Art
    ”Only accurate rifles are interesting”
    ——Townsend Whelen


    In a time of universal deceit , telling the truth is a revolutionary act
    —- George Orwell

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    +1 on the table saw and jointer leavings. Do NOT decide to use green treat sawdust! Learned that one the hard way after putting in the wife's chicken coup!! I don't believe the smell is completely gone after 4 years.

    Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    I use pine shavings that are sold as pet bedding.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
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    Pine that’s “pitchy” would be even better. Pitch acts like rosin and more aggressively fluxes the melt.

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    “There is more to this than dumping lead in a hole.”

  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master
    bangerjim's Avatar
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    Any organic matter that is carbon-based will work, as long as it does not have other chemicals in it like treated lumber does. I even used dried leaves & small sticks in the back yard.

    A fluxing agent is NOT limited to just pine wood!!!!!!!!

  17. #17
    Boolit Grand Master popper's Avatar
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    If using a bottom pour pot it can clog the spout and cause inclusions in your bullets. Burned stuff collects in the alloy and hard to get it all out. I just use candle/bees wax.
    Whatever!

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
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    My great grandfather's method for his sinkers and bullets (and toy soldiers for us....) was dried horse manure - from a young horse preferably. I do still use that on occasion.

    Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by SlippyRider View Post
    Stirring with a stick or piece of lath works too.
    I stir my pine pet bedding in with a commercial paint stirrer. They keep them behind the counter at the local home center, free for the asking.
    ”We know they are lying, they know they are lying, they know we know they are lying, we know they know we know they are lying, yet they are still lying.” –Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn

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  20. #20
    Boolit Master


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    If a 41 won't stop it, I wouldn't bet my life on a 44.

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