What do you use for low odour flux in a garage?

[1bluehorse]

I will cast during winter in my garage and I would like to use a low odor and low smoke flux that works fine.

I usually use sawdust, but it smokes alot.

Any ideas?

Do the same for sawdust/wood particles that you would for wax....as soon as it starts to smoke, throw a match at it.....whereas sawdust may not be a "low odor" flux, it is a pleasant odor...

[leftiye]

so I should just sawdust flux?

Yup, smells nice even if it smokes. Use crushed charcoal for even less smoke, leave it on top of the pot to keep air off of the surface.

[Bloodman14]

I have been experimenting with airgun shot (BBs) in my bottom-pour. Not only a mechanical oxygen barrier, but no muss-no fuss, too. Lead ingots sit on top until they melt through.

[pdawg_shooter]

Wood pellets such as used in a smoker work great and a bag last a long time. Different flavors available so you can find one you like.

[S.B.]

so I should just sawdust flux?

Ditto this works great for me? I just stir it into the melt thoughly then scim it off. Carbon content is what you're for.
Steve

[stocker]

I've been using Marvelux in my basement for years. If it gets moisture in it, Marvelux will clump up. Break down the clumps into granules and put some in a small tin can on the hot plate for a few minutes to drive the moisture out. Also don't let it build up on your skimming spoon and float the spoon on the melt to drive out any moisture it may contain before doing any stirring. Sprinkle the heated granules on top let it sit for a bit before stirring. Takes longer to explain than it does to do it.

[PS Paul]

Bad kryogen, bad. Go to your room without dinner.

It would be a very good idea to stop using treated lumber immediately if not sooner. "Not exactly healthy" could be quite the understatement.

As to your question . . . What do you use for low odor flux in a garage?

Good ventilation!

Rick

Exactly where I was gonna go. I live in the very-rainy PNW. I am sometimes forced to smelt inside the garage, although I try to avoid it, but always cast inside the garage. Even when it is not raining (both weeks.... he he).

I cast next to the window and have installed a hi-speed box fan right next to the casting station. I suppose a vent hood might be better, but all the smoke just goes right through the box fan and out the window with ease.

Therefore, sawdust from Alder is what I use. I cut my own Alder poles for making shavings with which to smoke salmon (it's salmon season RIGHT NOW) and I sweep the dust to use for smelting. Easy as pie.
PSP

[10x]

I would put a kitchen range vent hood over the area where I was casting. Used ones can be had for cheap or less. Just go to your local kitchen cabinet shop and tell them you would like a salvage range hood from their next kitchen renovation.
The other way is a high volume bathroom vent fan installed in the wall over where you cast.

[mdi]

In my short casting career, mebbe 25 years, I've tried as many fluxes as I thought might work, but settled on sawdust. I cast indoors and yep, sawdust does smoke and smell, but I just open the door and turn on my fans. Sometimes I'll step outside to while the smoke clears but I cast indoors because it rains a lot here in Orygun...

[RoGrrr]

hang a shop vac hose over the pot and exhaust the smoke/smell out, under the garage door with pvc plastic pipe. Gets rid of all the smell that way

[ofreen]

I'm in the minority here and have used Marvelux for the last 30 years. The moisture problem is easily avoided by preheating any stirring or dipping tool......which should be done regardless of the flux used.

I've even read reports of Marvelux causing the melting pot to rust out. Well, my oldest Lee bottom pour has been exposed to Marvelux for 30 years, and it's still working just fine.

I flux, then leave the dross in place as an oxygen barrier until I'm done. By then, there's nothing left but dry dust.

My experience, as well, except I'll go ahead and skim off the residue before beginning to cast. I think most problems people have with Marvelux stems from using too much of it.

[geargnasher]

The problems with Marvakrap is that it removes all oxidized metals such as the tin you want to keep as well as the stuff you don't want, and if you don't live in the powder-dry mountainous parts of the country it will soak up moisture like crazy and can, if you don't pay attention and know what to do, cause steam explosions with annoying regularity.

The borates do flux, though, very well, they seal the surface from further oxidation, don't stink or burn, and make being around the casting pot much more pleasant and reduce ventilation needs considerably. If you use a hydrocarbon as a sacrificial reducant first to reduce the oxides of tin, lead, and antimony back to elemental metal, THEN you can absorb the more difficult-to-reduce oxides of the other junk in there (aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.) with the borate flux and have a totally clean, oxide-free melt and not lose any tin oxide when skimming. Of course, if you use sawdust to begin with and leave the ash as a surface oxygen barrier you wouldn't need anything else.

The only stuff I know of that actually removes contaminants from the boolit casting trinity is carbon and liquid borate glass. Any hydrocarbon (grease, wax, oil, wood, cereal grains, etc) trade electrons with the oxidized metals in that scummy layer that floats on top and turn them back into usable metals.

Gear

[kryogen]

I use a 3m 7500 respirator with P100 multi gas cartridges also.... why not.
Not breathing any lead or smoke or any whatever fumes.