Hand pour hobby thread

Discussion in 'Silver' started by Antalon, Aug 7, 2015.

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  1. silverzman

    silverzman Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Can anyone tell me where i can buy a crucible with a handle on it? I can see there are sellers in the US and China but no one local?

    Also i am a bit confused. How do i prep the crucible so the silver wont stick? Is that what Borax is for?
     
    silverzman, Aug 17, 2015
    #61
  2. Antalon

    Antalon Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Nice! My first SF..

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Antalon, Aug 17, 2015
    #62
  3. mrg9grn

    mrg9grn New Member

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    mrg9grn, Aug 17, 2015
    #63
  4. Antalon

    Antalon Active Member Silver Stacker

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    I just cut and bent a coat hanger around the chinese crucible.. Works fine.. Borax is used first to glaze the crucible, then a few sprinkles ontop of what you're melting.. It sucks the impurities out of the silver like magic.. should be some vids on youtube for glazing the new crucible
     
    Antalon, Aug 17, 2015
    #64
  5. Golden ChipMunk

    Golden ChipMunk Well-Known Member

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    Easy to make your own Handle
    Borax are the flux.

    http://blog.silverdropsdesigns.com/2011/03/prepping-a-crucible-for-casting/
     
    Golden ChipMunk, Aug 17, 2015
    #65
  6. silverzman

    silverzman Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Will check it out, but if you are pouring 999 silver would you still need it?
     
    silverzman, Aug 17, 2015
    #66
  7. silverzman

    silverzman Active Member Silver Stacker

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    I saw that and wondered what the flux was :D
     
    silverzman, Aug 17, 2015
    #67
  8. Antalon

    Antalon Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Yea! to keep the shit off the 999 that's already in the crucible.. Bad habits :/
     
    Antalon, Aug 17, 2015
    #68
  9. silverzman

    silverzman Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Maybe we should start a hand pouring club in Sydney looks there are at least a few people that is interested in this :)
     
    silverzman, Aug 17, 2015
    #69
  10. Golden ChipMunk

    Golden ChipMunk Well-Known Member

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    Don't forget your Sodium BiSulfate ;)
     
    Golden ChipMunk, Aug 17, 2015
    #70
  11. Antalon

    Antalon Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Aussie Made Ant Tongs

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Antalon, Aug 17, 2015
    #71
  12. Antalon

    Antalon Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Aussie Made 2oz Molds

    [​IMG]
     
    Antalon, Aug 17, 2015
    #72
  13. Antalon

    Antalon Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Wood pour

    [​IMG]
     
    Antalon, Aug 17, 2015
    #73
  14. silverzman

    silverzman Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Got my stuff yesterday. Hopefully will give it a go tonight :D

    Though i have to make a holder.
     
    silverzman, Aug 25, 2015
    #74
  15. sammysilver

    sammysilver Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    sammysilver, Aug 25, 2015
    #75
  16. Antalon

    Antalon Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Antalon, Aug 25, 2015
    #76
  17. silverzman

    silverzman Active Member Silver Stacker

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    [​IMG]

    I am guessing i didnt prepare my crucible properly? The sides i mean.

    After 5 attempts at pouring i got this....

    [​IMG]

    How do you guys get rid of the borax?
     
    silverzman, Aug 25, 2015
    #77
  18. Sa_bogan

    Sa_bogan Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Looks to me that you are not getting the silver hot enough. What I have found is that if the silver is hot enough the borax will move to the dish and only leave a very small amount in the poured bar. I would recommend also that you don't let the silver cool down in the crucible otherwise it will stick and sometimes the silica in the dish will come off with it. How much silver are you melting at once may I ask?
     
    Sa_bogan, Aug 25, 2015
    #78
  19. magickookaburraride

    magickookaburraride New Member

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    Not enough heat and too much borax.

    With a properly treated crucible, you don't see gobs of solidified borax...it just has a SLIGHT tan shimmer to it.

    And during the melting process, just a PINCH of the borax is needed...and keep the torch on the metal during the entire pour( In the crucible, close to the exiting metal ) ...until all metal has entered the mold.

    We used an oxy acetylene torch from the start, nothing but beautiful results...but have seen lower heat sources cause your issues above.
     
    magickookaburraride, Aug 25, 2015
    #79
  20. silverzman

    silverzman Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Im using a normal handheld mapp torch is that not hot enough? Do i need a new crucible or would it be enough to get everything out, sand it slightly then treat it again properly?
     
    silverzman, Aug 25, 2015
    #80
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