Flux for Casting?

[Eric M]

What do you use to flux the lead?

 

[Stumpkiller]

Beeswax

 

[necchi]

Candle stub wax,
Crayon wax,
Saw dust,

 

[Eric M]

I am new to this, so what does the wax do to cause the impurities to leave the lead?

 

[nchawkeye]

I use SnoSeal...

 

[Idaho Ron]

I use used motor oil, candle wax, crayons. I also like to stir with a pine stick. You have to make sure the stick is dry or you will get lead a flying. Ron

 

[Idaho Ron]

I am new to this, so what does the wax do to cause the impurities to leave the lead?

Here is a piece that will give you some info. Ron
http://www.sixguns.com/crew/simplefluxing.htm

 

[Eric M]

Thanks for that article.

 

[George T.]

That is a good read! Let me say that I am lazy and that I have had bullet lube such as Alox on hand for many years. That is what I use! As has been said the flux isn't all that important but you need to flux and stir wait then skim! If you had what was known to be pure lead you would need to flux very little. Things such as cable sheath anf god fobid wheel weights will have tin and antamony that need to removed to get high quality balls for a PRB in MLR's! Geo. T.

 

[MosinRob]

I always used saw dust. I found that I was constantly cleaning the top of the pot off off and my dipper would clog up. I tried this new stuff Buck Beaver Lead Flux. I used it twice so far but it worked really well. Even clean some of the old gunk off the tools.

 

[jamesthomas]

Beeswax here to, and no need to get crazy with it, a little dab is all ya need. I'll be doing some melting an pouring a few ingots tomorrow, collected about 8 pounds today, a chunk of roof flashing and those stick-on wheel weights, I've heard they are pure lead unlike the clip on ones and I have someone that next week will have 3 ten pound ballest weights for me. :thumbsup:

 

[David W.]

+1 beeswax. Paraffin works too. Be careful, it will catch fire occasionally, so don't use large quantities.

 

[MSW]

parafin, about a pea sized glob, then stir ... i don't worry about the smell -you want to do this outdoors anyway.

 

[jpdeal]

The wife has a candle fetish, so I use all her remnants. Depending on what she buys, sometimes the smokie garage smells nice! :haha:

 

[Billnpatti]

A little bit of candle wax about the size of a pea. The same amount of bees wax will work, too.

 

[Billnpatti]

No matter how nice it smells, that smoke is toxic. Do not breathe it! :shake: It is full of lead fumes and can cause lead poisoning if enough is breathed. It is cumulative so even if one exposure does not cause lead poisoning, each exposure will add until you begin show the symptoms of lead poisoning. Be sure the doors are open and put a fan at your back to blow the fumes away from your breathing zone in front of your face. It ain't nothin' to mess with and we want to keep you around to share your thoughts and ideas with us. :thumbsup:

 

[outbackzack]

I was planning on swiping some Borax out of the laundry room, purely for scientific reasons. :hmm: