bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
|
Borax ?
Jun 4, 2016 12:11:01 GMT -5
Post by bushmanbilly on Jun 4, 2016 12:11:01 GMT -5
Is 20 mule team borax the same as the borax used in smelting gold. I what to make Chapman flux.
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Borax ?
Jun 4, 2016 12:29:22 GMT -5
Post by metalsmith on Jun 4, 2016 12:29:22 GMT -5
Is 20 mule team borax the same as the borax used in smelting gold. I what to make Chapman flux. Simple answer: Yes. Source
|
|
|
Borax ?
Jun 4, 2016 12:32:01 GMT -5
Post by Rockoonz on Jun 4, 2016 12:32:01 GMT -5
If you can get anhydrous borax that's best, or bake 20 mule team at 500 f for 2 1/2 hours then crush the results to a powder.
|
|
ol3m3
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2006
Posts: 85
|
Post by ol3m3 on Jun 4, 2016 19:14:46 GMT -5
20 mule team Borax contains lanolin which when used as a flux produces little black carbon floaties that fly about the work area. I found pure borax is sold in the bait shops in the NW Us and is also used to prepare salmon roe for use as bait.
|
|
bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
|
Post by bushmanbilly on Jun 4, 2016 23:51:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the info everyone. I am going to be smelting blacksand from my claim to get the micron gold out. Lee, when heating the borax what kind of pan is best to use. Glass or metal? My forge and Manganese Dioxide should arrive next week will let you know how I make out. I had a gold consultant smelt a 2 lb sample for me when I was in BC and he said he got this from it. 56 grams Not sure what to make of it. He said my claim is loaded with micro gold. I'm still in the to good to be true camp.
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Jun 5, 2016 1:25:52 GMT -5
I use glass, not sure if it really makes a difference though.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Borax ?
Jun 5, 2016 11:01:28 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2016 11:01:28 GMT -5
I use glass, not sure if it really makes a difference though. Since the borax is there to glass the non gold stuff, would cast iron be beneficial? Doesn't gold melt above glass anyway? Lee, how does that work? You guys are teaching me!
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Jun 5, 2016 11:55:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the info everyone. I am going to be smelting blacksand from my claim to get the micron gold out. Lee, when heating the borax what kind of pan is best to use. Glass or metal? Or ceramic..
|
|
|
Borax ?
Jun 5, 2016 14:23:08 GMT -5
Post by Rockoonz on Jun 5, 2016 14:23:08 GMT -5
I use glass, not sure if it really makes a difference though. Since the borax is there to glass the non gold stuff, would cast iron be beneficial? Doesn't gold melt above glass anyway? Lee, how does that work? You guys are teaching me! That's just for baking the borax to basically dry it so it becomes anhydrous borax. ol3m3 brought up the fact that the hand soap variety has lanolin in it so the borax you add to your salmon roe to preserve as bait is a better choice when available. I'm learning a lot here too. I don't do the gold thing but borax is also used for soldering flux.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Borax ?
Jun 5, 2016 14:44:00 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2016 14:44:00 GMT -5
A) as a smelting flux no pre drying is needed. water won't last long in the furnace anyways.
B) lanolin will use up oxygen similar to flour or paper uaed in some recipes. It's nothing at smelting temps.
|
|