rocpup
spending too much on rocks
Pink Limb Iris
Member since March 2011
Posts: 465
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Post by rocpup on Mar 24, 2014 6:56:10 GMT -5
Here is a tip we were taught in goldsmithing classes years ago. Those that are having problems with firescale may want to give it a try. I personal use it all the time. Most drug stores sell something called Boric Acid. It is in a powder form. It is mixed with alcohol in a saturated solution. It is mixed with alcohol until it no longer dissolves. I use a small brush and cover the entire piece I am working on. It is then set on fire and allowed to burn off. This creates a white covering that helps protects your work from the air and helps keeping the copper from oxidizing in the sterling becoming firescale. This will not help if you over heat your piece. You will get firescale. Covering the entire piece with flux also helps but using that much flux will get on your work area and make a mess after awhile. Don
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Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
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Post by Tom on Mar 24, 2014 8:26:00 GMT -5
what kind of alcohol do you use to mix in with the boric asid? Isopropanal?
Thanks
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rocpup
spending too much on rocks
Pink Limb Iris
Member since March 2011
Posts: 465
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Post by rocpup on Mar 24, 2014 8:49:11 GMT -5
I am really not sure it makes any difference as long as it burns. I get it in a one quart can at the hardware store. Don
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Post by vegasjames on Mar 24, 2014 14:05:20 GMT -5
I am really not sure it makes any difference as long as it burns. I get it in a one quart can at the hardware store. Don That would be denatured alcohol (denatured ethanol). Probably a better choice since it is almost 100% alcohol. Most isopropyl alcohol is only 70% alcohol and 30% water.
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Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
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Post by Tom on Mar 24, 2014 21:15:51 GMT -5
Thanks james
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Post by bobby1 on Mar 25, 2014 0:51:02 GMT -5
Denatured alcohol is safer to use and burns cleaner than isopropyl alcohol. Bob
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 29, 2014 21:17:10 GMT -5
I've seen this done and discussed in videos. One day - after I try a few other things- I'll try this, too. It's worked for ages so something has to be right.
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