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Author Topic: FLUX  (Read 956 times)

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Offline warf73

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FLUX
« on: November 18, 2003, 11:52:30 PM »
What types of flux do you guys use?

I use about 10 of my .458cal lubed bullets in my 20lb. pot every time I add lead to the pot. it maybe over kill but it keeps my pot clean.

Warf73
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Offline Johm D M

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FLUX
« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2003, 05:46:36 AM »
I have used Marvelux before I knew any better and found it seemed to  rust any thing around it. I then graduated to candle stubs, also tryinf a piece of potato, spruce twig and currently use 50-50 alox. I bought a dozen sticks for 20 $ or so and then started making my own lube and found little need for it.  My current smelting flux is pure beeswax cut out from old bee frames and ignited after 5 seconds. This is too much of a pain for cleaned alloys but it works well when smelting and I now never have to put real dirty metal into my casting pot. Gianni.
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Offline Graybeard

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FLUX
« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2003, 06:16:51 AM »
I've used about everything you can I guess to include Marvelux. BUT I got burned badly using it and now try to convince folks of the danger of it. Marvelux is hydroscopic, it attracts moisture. Just the thing you DO NOT want around molten lead.

Once I put my ladle into the molten lead without first heating it and the lead litterally exploded in my face. I have scars all over my hands, arms and face from that explosion. Bad news. You couldn't pay me enough to use that stuff again.

Now I mostly use beeswax but some times in a pinch will use bullet lube I have tried and didn't like as lube.

GB
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Offline myronman3

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FLUX
« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2003, 12:23:03 PM »
100 % beeswax
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Offline Turbo

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Sawdust as a Flux
« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2003, 06:31:04 PM »
I have been using sawdust as a flux for the past year and have been very pleased with it. I read an article by Glen E. Fryxell suggesting the use of sawdust.  For me, nothing works as well and the cost is great. Turbo
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Offline Lloyd Smale

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FLUX
« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2003, 11:38:31 PM »
I use paraphin wax as I dont like wasting my beeswax for fluxing its too expensive and i use it for lube making. The best I found though was from a recomemdation I got from Billy Marr its nocorrode plumbers soldering flux.
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Offline Shoot!

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FLUX
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2003, 11:00:31 AM »
Marshall over at Beartooth once said that pine resin, straight off the tree, makes an excellent flux... Can't beat the price.
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Offline waksupi

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FLUX
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2003, 06:23:45 PM »
I use the kitty litter on top of the melt to keep down the oxidation, and help maintain the heat. I use a piece of dowel to stir the mix, as it puts a carbon base completely to the bottom of the pot. No one has been able to convince me that something put on the top of molten lead and stirred around with a spoon or what-not, is going to flux the metal in the botton of the pot. Specific gravity, you know?

When melting big amounts to make into ingots, I use old motor oil, candle stubs, saw dust, and what ever is in the floor sweepings out of my shop. That works good, as I can clean the shop(hell of a mess, usually) while waiting for the WW's to melt. I dump the sweepings in the cut off propane tank with the lead to stir in. However, I think this may also be a waste of time.
 
Take into consideration all the tire labels, Copenhagen and Skoal spit, rubber air spiquets, dog pee, and dead mice and such that finds it's way into those buckets full of WW's.

Lotsa carbon there!
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Offline sundogg1911

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FLUX
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2003, 01:10:33 AM »
I use candlewax or bullet lube. I bought some bullet lube a while back that's crap for lube, but it's the best flux that i've used. it is a soft  black lube with no name or home made. I wish I could find more of that!
i've tried the commercial brands, but have had no luck with it.
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Offline The Shrink

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FLUX
« Reply #9 on: November 27, 2003, 02:33:03 AM »
So far only used candle stubs or beeswax.  The Pariffin blazes merrily away if I use enough of it.  Haven't ignited the beeswax yet.
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Offline flintman

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Flux-my mistake of using scraps off the bench top!
« Reply #10 on: November 29, 2003, 04:50:13 AM »
I thought I'd use up some of the smallet pieces of lead that were laying on my bench top.Lead was already melted,which was also wrong to add cooler metal,I inadvertently added a live percussion cap,see why I only use flint now?Luckily I had taken precautions to wear safety glasses,long sleeved shirt and jeans.Definitely do not try this at home kids,it can be deadly!:?
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