RayburnGuy Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 Hey Mark, I can't say with 100% accuracy concerning lead since I haven't worked with lead all that much, but the way flux works with other metals is that as it passes through the liquefied metal it latches onto any impurities and brings them to the surface where they can be removed. In the case of some welding rod fluxes they can also remove gas bubbles as is the case with "low hydrogen" welding electrodes. By removing these gases any voids are removed thus making for a stronger weld material and in turn a stronger weld. Ben 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LimpNoodle Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 Do the flames draw up the dross, and, if so, how? I am thinking it has something to do with oxygen being drawn up into the combustion, but that's just a wild guess. Maybe it's just magic. Can't be that because the FA flux doesn't catch fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apdriver Posted December 11, 2015 Report Share Posted December 11, 2015 More than I really need to know about flux and fluxing compounds but this should expand a bit of gray Tacklecrafting matter, if we can take a few suggestions from our bullet casting brothers. http://www.lasc.us/FryxellFluxing.htm 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted December 11, 2015 Report Share Posted December 11, 2015 Apdriver - great article, thanks for the link. Well worth reading. DAve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Glenn Posted December 11, 2015 Report Share Posted December 11, 2015 I thought the flux just broke it all apart and gravity did the rest with the heaviest lead sinking to the bottom. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 I use Paraffin wax when I start the melt, then use saw dust for the final and skimming. That was and excellent read. The author talked about something most people don't think about is the "other metals" which have different weights (densities). If these metals are melted into a bullet it can change everything. So I think it's important in baits also. That's why when melting old lead material it's important to stay close to the temperature that lead melts, because most of the other metals are at a higher temperatures. Rayguy spoke of porosity (air pockets) which is a concern being trapped inside a pour of a final jig, bullet etc. where you don't see them That's why the author spoke of using beeswax during the casting of the bullets, I believe. Take Care, Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 This thread could have been titled, "Oh, the things you will learn", by Dr. Seuss. I sure learned a lot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
