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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2008 16:05:14 GMT
Can flux intended for modern welding be used for forge welding?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2008 16:37:16 GMT
Can flux intended for modern welding be used for forge welding? You mean the flux-coatings on welding rods? I don't see why not. Flux is flux. Though it's cheaper to go and buy a bag of powdered Borax soap, usually in the laundry aisle of most major stores. It's a great flux. I believe some people also use pure beach-sand.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2008 19:22:01 GMT
Though it's cheaper to go and buy a bag of powdered Borax soap, usually in the laundry aisle of most major stores. It's a great flux. I believe some people also use pure beach-sand. Can it be used straight out of the box, or does it have to be processed in some way?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2008 23:47:00 GMT
Though it's cheaper to go and buy a bag of powdered Borax soap, usually in the laundry aisle of most major stores. It's a great flux. I believe some people also use pure beach-sand. Can it be used straight out of the box, or does it have to be processed in some way? As is. Just apply as you would any other powdered flux.
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Post by Dan Davis on Apr 16, 2008 12:00:47 GMT
DO NOT USE BORAX SOAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is a huge difference between pure borax (i.e., "20-Mule Team Borax") and borax soap (i.e., "Boraxo"). Borax works, soap will screw up a blade faster than you can say "boy, howdy... that's screwed up."
Loose powdered borax contains a lot of moisture that needs to be boiled off in order for it to work as flux. Pre-heat your steel, pull it from the fire at dull red and sprinkle liberally with PURE BORAX. Wait until the borax has bubbled off and settled down into a smooth, glassy coat. Then return the steel to the fire and begin heating it to welding temperature.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2008 15:08:46 GMT
Forgive me if I am wrong but isn't borax highly poisonous? Any time working with any material that give off fumes you should be working with safety gear
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Post by Matt993f.o.d on Apr 16, 2008 20:24:53 GMT
You can remove the water from hydrated borax by placing it in an enclosed tin can and heating above the forge. It will burn the water out and reduce it to a crystally lump which you can then crush and use for flux. I couldnt tell you how to remove the soap, though.
Best just do what Dan said and buy PROPER borax flux.
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Post by Dan Davis on Apr 18, 2008 10:35:18 GMT
BW, Borax IS highly toxic but the fumes are inducted into the forge and burned off. No worries.
Matt, I use 20-mule Team Borax, and I reduce it just like you do. But borax soap is a different animal; it actually IS soap with borax added. Not good.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2008 14:14:07 GMT
So even with the 20 mule team stuff you have to remove the water? It can't be used straight out of the box?
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Post by Matt993f.o.d on Apr 18, 2008 22:52:29 GMT
If you can find borax that isnt hydrated (i.e. anhydrous borax) then you wouldnt have to remove the water, as there would be none in it to start with!
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Post by Dan Davis on Apr 21, 2008 3:07:20 GMT
So even with the 20 mule team stuff you have to remove the water? It can't be used straight out of the box? Sure you can.......
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