[Jewelry making - Article 00117] - Re: [Orchid] Reconditioning used crucibles

[hunner]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

Hi Jones,

    I'm assuming that you have white molded clay crucibles that fit into
    a tray on one end of the centrifuge arm. 

    Put on your respirator and some wrap around goggles. Put a 1 inch
    Mizzi heatless wheel in your flexshaft. Grind out all the old flux
    glass. Grind right down, barely into the softer crucible material. 

    Oh, you know what? I'd look the crucible over before I started. Use
    some magnification and see if you can see any big cracks that run
    all the way through the crucible. If you see a crack, pull on it a
    little to see if the crucible will break. I don't mean for you to
    Really Crank Down on it and apply a lot of force. Just apply a few
    pounds of pull across the crack. If it stays intact, proceed with
    the grinding. 

    I mix borax and boric acid, 50/50 by weight, making sure that it's
    all evenly powdered. I heat the crucible incandescent with my torch
    and sprinkle the flux over the glowing surface. I used a big spoon,
    although I've seen a salt shaker or a chili pepper shaker used. I
    like the spoon cuz I have more control over the placement and amount
    of the powder. 

    Just barely coat the crucible. Too much flux and you'll end up with
    globs of unwanted flux in the melt/casting. Too little flux and
    oxygen may come through the crucible wall and contaminate the melt. 

    Good luck. Remember that there's only one rule in this process -
    Don't burn yourself. 

    Chuck in Las Cruces where it's windy springtime in New Mexico!

____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________