[TheForge] Re: Flux

[Peter Hirst]

CAn you tell me the function of the black oxide?  Is it different from forge 
scale?  How does it work?  And a source of flourspar?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chuck Robinson" <robi5515 at bellsouth.net>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 12:10 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Re: Flux


> The old formula for E Z Weld included the addition of a byproduct scale 
> from a no longer used steel making process.
> E Z Weld used to buy the scale by the boxcar load. When their source dried 
> up the company went belly up.
> Haven't used the new version, but have heard  it's not even close to the 
> original.
> I make my SUPERFLUX from, in order of degreasing quantity: anhydrous 
> borax, Boric acid. black iron oxide and fluorspar.
> Chuck
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Paul" <crosspein at sbcglobal.net>
> To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 7:43 AM
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Re: New Discoveries: Ersatz EZ Weld
>
>
>> I've been using a mixture of Boric Acid and Red Iron Oxide (equal parts 
>> by weight) for several months with good results.
>>
>> Bob Becker mentioned it last summer in his demo at UMBRC.
>>
>> My opinions on it (prior experience with straight borax and anhydrous 
>> borax):
>>    My welds came out fine
>>    It doesn't stick as well to the red iron as anhydrous borax.
>>    But it does clean up after the weld a lot better than borax.
>>    It doesn't leech back out later (or if it does, it's a LOT less 
>> visible)
>>
>> Granted my welding experience is "modest", but I try to weld something 
>> every time I light up the forge.  (1-2 times/week, a little less over 
>> winter)
>>
>> I've seen mixtures that add either regular borax to the mix, as well as 
>> flourospar , but I haven't tried any of these.
>>
>> I have sometimes noticed some sparking "a little early". I'm wondering if 
>> the iron filings and oxide serve as a bit of an "alert" to tell you it's 
>> hot enough? I usually just dampen the airflow at that point to let it 
>> soak in a reducing fire while maintaining welding heat. (Oh, coal forge 
>> here)
>>
>> **paul
>>
>> Peter Hirst wrote:
>>> Its the iron oxide part I dont understand.  As I appreciate it, flux has 
>>> two purposes.  To shield the joint from oxygen so that no oxide on the 
>>> sufaces can interfere with metal bonding, and also to actually dissolve 
>>> any oxides or other impurities that are there and float them away from 
>>> the weld. Adding oxide to the flux would seem to defeat one or both.
>>>
>>> ANyway, EZ Weld does contain about 15 percent boric acid, so I guess 
>>> I'll ad about that proportion of  COnmat to the mix and let the mineral 
>>> content of the 20 Mule Team stand in for the "slag" component.  so my 30 
>>> bucks worth costs me about 1.50.  Still not bad.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David E. Smucker" 
>>> <davesmucker at hotmail.com>
>>> To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 8:05 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Re: New Discoveries: Ersatz EZ Weld
>>>
>>>
>>>> Some smiths around here use a flux that is a mixture of boric acid 
>>>> (roach kill) and iron oxide.  They get the iron oxide from the pottery 
>>>> suppliers. I don't understand the chemistry of what is happening at the 
>>>> melt temperatures.  This flux seems to work very well for them.
>>>>
>>>> Da
>>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>>> theforge mail list group photo site is
>>> http://www.photoaccess.com
>>> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
>>> password:  anvil
>>> ___________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>> theforge mail list group photo site is
>> http://www.photoaccess.com
>> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
>> password:  anvil
>> ___________
>>
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
>
>
>