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Borax
Jul 6, 2015 20:53:16 GMT 10
Post by Flying Scott on Jul 6, 2015 20:53:16 GMT 10
One can make a perfect soap using Borax Flying Scott
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Borax
Jul 6, 2015 20:57:00 GMT 10
Post by Flying Scott on Jul 6, 2015 20:57:00 GMT 10
One can make a perfect soap using Borax. It reduces the tension on the surface of water Flying Scott
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Borax
Jul 6, 2015 22:54:45 GMT 10
Post by mushmouse on Jul 6, 2015 22:54:45 GMT 10
Yes Flying Scott - I too have seen articles on using Borax with Velvet Soap flakes to make an environmentaly friendly and effective washing powder. Good for the budget, the ecosystem and those that suffer from skin irritations that are aggravated by the added chemicals in commercial laundry powders.
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rustyau
Panner
Prospecting is like fishing. Doing it is the best part. Finding a keeper..is a bonus
Posts: 39
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Borax
Jul 8, 2015 17:56:30 GMT 10
Post by rustyau on Jul 8, 2015 17:56:30 GMT 10
Hi nugget893, sorry for the late reply. Been away.
I used flux smelting a couple of times in the beginning but it was more trouble than it was worth. If you want to give it a go then by all means try this.Don't be afraid to try this, as if all goes pear shaped you always have an out to recover your gold....chemicals.
The flux I used was a basic one: Anhydrous Borax, 5 parts. Fine silica sand, 40 parts. Dense soda ash, 10 parts. Sodium nitrate, 20 parts
Get as much black sands out as you can. Use a Rare earth magnet not an ordinary one.I used to get mine by pulling apart computer hard disk drives. Be careful,theses magnets are strong and they bite. Put the concentrate in some Hydrochloric acid and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for for a couple of hours. This will remove most of the problem metals, Fe,Cu, Ni etc. Filter the concentrates and rinse with hot water 3 times. Dry thoroughly.
Mix your concentrates with double the amount of flux and place in crucible or on refractory brick ( don't use river stones or ordinary bricks or concrete. They will explode when heated.You will need an Oxy/Acet to get the temperature that you will need.
Slowly heat from above in a circular motion and bring the flame closer as things start to meld.Be patient. You will be able to see your button forming. Heat until the button is in the flowing liquid state. Now: you can either let it cool and set in the crucible and try and remove the button. I wouldn't recommend it. I have lost more than a few crucibles when the mix turned into a glassy blob in the bottom that wouldn't budge. OR: you can pour the button flux mix onto a preheated refractory brick or cast iron plate to cool.
When cool and everything has gone perfect, you can break the glassy flux residue off the back of the button. Hey presto!
I think that I have a picture of me smelting gold somewhere. I'll see if I can find it and post. Regards Russ
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Borax
Jul 8, 2015 18:18:40 GMT 10
via mobile
Post by danielkrupski on Jul 8, 2015 18:18:40 GMT 10
I have seen a few YouTube vids on smelting using a pre made flux called chapmans flux. Anyone tried it?
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Borax
Jul 8, 2015 22:08:02 GMT 10
Post by Flying Scott on Jul 8, 2015 22:08:02 GMT 10
When I was prospecting I took my alluvial gold to a company in Melbourne, they payed me by weight on the day. Most times I had very little impurities, they didn't pay me for any silver or platinum in the gold I did pre weigh my gold before selling, therefor I had a good idea what to expect on the cheque they give me. Never had any urge to make my own ingots / nuggets. Flying Scott
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Borax
Jul 9, 2015 0:40:18 GMT 10
Post by mushmouse on Jul 9, 2015 0:40:18 GMT 10
When I was prospecting I took my alluvial gold to a company in Melbourne, they payed me by weight on the day. Most times I had very little impurities, they didn't pay me for any silver or platinum in the gold I did pre weigh my gold before selling, therefor I had a good idea what to expect on the cheque they give me. Never had any urge to make my own ingots / nuggets. Flying Scott I remember taking a trip down in the 1980s ago to a place in Melbourne called Kalinko. I think it was in Elizabeth or Collins Street and up a couple of floors. I was with my father who was cashing in his flake gold for the first time. I recall standing in a queue with other prospectors holding their jars or calico bags of little nuggets. At the front was the clerk who weighed it up and took out a cleaning fee ( cleaner gold / lesser fee ). The returns were fair, and on the spot you got the cheque.. I can't recall how much he had - i think it was between 3 or 4 oz, but it was enough to pay for an airfare for them both to head back to the old country and see their families for the first time in 30 years whom they had left behind in Post War europe as migrants. Shame this little company isn't still around...
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Borax
Jul 9, 2015 21:16:41 GMT 10
Post by Flying Scott on Jul 9, 2015 21:16:41 GMT 10
The company I delt with is Apecs Investment Castings. www.apecs.com.au I used to make Jewelry with the gems I found. I bought the gold wire and gold plate from A.B.C Australian gold bullion in Melbourne. Way back when I wore a younger man's cloths. Flying Scott
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