[TheForge] Welding flux?

[Jerry Frost]

I've heard of it but don't know anything about it personally. 
Disodiumtetraborate is anhydrous borax. I've recently been introduced to 
anhydrous borax and while it's no different  20 mule team once hotter 
than about 230f it wets the stock and doesn't foam, foam being more 
likely to ride a little steam layer off the stock. I have a little iron 
ladle I keep by the forge and just melt some borax when I need the 
non-foaming version, dip a little out and wipe it on the stock. Works 
but it's a hassle.

Many years ago I watched a weld made using Cherry Heat at a bright red 
heat, more recently watched Swan used and the welds were so easy and 
most lately Black Magic used by Gordon Williams at a clinic in May. the 
main ingredients seem to be anhydrous borax and iron, with sometimes 
boric acid. If I wanted to spend the money I'd buy one of those. However 
the Petterson #2 is on the shelf about 15 minutes from here, for less 
money and no freight.

I'm hoping someone here's used it so I don't have to gamble on it working.

I don't recall who or which fora it came up on but putting flux in a 
plastic squeeze bottle was suggested based on the Iron Mountain flux. 
the general consensus was the nozzle of the bottle didn't last long just 
applying it, you didn't have to leave it too close to the fire.

Thanks for the contact info Mike, it's going into my supplier and 
resource file on this my new computer. If someone doesn't have a report 
on the Petterson I'll definitely post my results here.

Jer


On 7/21/2013 1:55 PM, Mike Spencer wrote:
> Jerry wrote:
>
>> ...while I was wandering around I noticed a product that drew my
>> eye, I read the label and ingredients.
>>
>> Petterson #2 High Heat Flux.
> On the same subject, different product:
>
> Another smith here ordered some flux, kindly got some for me.  I've
> only tried it once but it seems to work. Easy to manage, unlike borax
> from the supermarket.  Finely granulated.
>
>       Iron Mountain
>       Forge Welding Flux
>
>       Contains:
>
>          Disodiumtetraborate
>          Pure Iron Powder
>
>       Distributed by:
>
>       Blackwater Forge, Inc.
>       Dolomite, Alabama
>       205-744-9666
>
> Only oddity is that it  comes in a plastic container with a squirt
> top.  If you're doing a lot of welding, how long will it be before you
> leve the bottle too close to the fire and melt the side out of it?
>
> Maybe y'all already know about this product.  News to me, though.
>
>
> - Mike
>