You mix it with the rest of the flux and ore. How much is dependent of the ore and what fluidity you need and such parameters.
Smelting
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https://www.axner.com/fluorspar-superfine.aspx
It's not that hard to find.
It's not that hard to find.
Nountaineer
Well-known member
I purchased the 98 percent which is more expensive. Look at the price at Fisher Scientific for 99 percent.
Nountaineer
Well-known member
I didn't know any better.
Fluorspar is one of those ingredients that depends on what you are smelting. Some
Mixes use a small percentage amongst other ingredients and for thick viscous slags you add more. The end result is a thin slag that does not hold up beads.
But be wary of overuse. It eats crucibles so notice the ring it erodes and when the crucible wears too thin (which you check every time you put a smelt into a crucible) use a new crucible.
Mixes use a small percentage amongst other ingredients and for thick viscous slags you add more. The end result is a thin slag that does not hold up beads.
But be wary of overuse. It eats crucibles so notice the ring it erodes and when the crucible wears too thin (which you check every time you put a smelt into a crucible) use a new crucible.
Nountaineer
Well-known member
Thanks, some of the platinum build up in my crucible may actually be erosion from previous smelting coated with platinum. I will know more when I get the slag thinned and I just need to start with a little such as a tablespoon in my 8 kg crucible.
If you have a flux mixture full of visible beads mix 1/2 part of anhydrous borax to 1 part of soda ash and 1/8 part fluorspar. Add equal
Volume of bead laden slag to this mixture and melt it. Pour into a cone mold. With Platinum you may need a collector metal in the mix.
If you already have a melt going and the slag is thick and viscous take a mixture of 1 part fluorspar and 1 part calcium oxide (CaO Lime, Type S, Unslaked). Add this slowly and sparingly and stir in with a graphite rod. You will see the slag thinning by how it drips off the stir rod.
Volume of bead laden slag to this mixture and melt it. Pour into a cone mold. With Platinum you may need a collector metal in the mix.
If you already have a melt going and the slag is thick and viscous take a mixture of 1 part fluorspar and 1 part calcium oxide (CaO Lime, Type S, Unslaked). Add this slowly and sparingly and stir in with a graphite rod. You will see the slag thinning by how it drips off the stir rod.
Martijn
Well-known member
Jason has proven HE has some material left in there. How much always depends on the situation and lots of variables.
You will never get 100%, that would mean each tiny atom is recovered and refined, which is not economical and just not feasible. Read about losses.
Don't chase traces, go for a good recovery ratio versus effort and cost.
The tailings of old timers are now perfectly good ore. Because of prices and techniques now versus then. That finer powder was not worth going after with shovels and pickaxes, nuggets was their buisiness. Now it is worth it with modern tools like the excavator.
For one person spent crucibles and slag might be a good "ore" for another a complete waste of time. Like scrapping for components by hand in the western world as a buisiness. Futile. Ship that stuff or bulk refine the lot for copper and get some PM's as a bonus.
For jason it was all about knowing how big his losses are, not getting value out of waste.
Ever saw that youtuber Jeff Williams go through his panning tub? Well come on!!! Lets GOOO!! He does it for the video's and fun. So there was a lot obviously!
PeterM
Well-known member
Ouch, buddy always change eBay first. Education costs Time and Money, but I bet you are a lot smarter now.
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Nountaineer
Well-known member
Thank you and I do have graphite stir rods. I have been adding ground slag trying to get a better result recently but will do it your way also. Can I reuse slag or does it get used up?
I have tried every search term for this product on eBay but can't find it. Thought I could save the 98 percent and order cheaper too.
Search ebay for fluorspar like it says on the bag in the photo.
And I never heard of anyone reusing slag, doesn’t mean it isn’t done but it may not be worth the chopping and crushing and blending to make it mix in well with the next melt.
And I never heard of anyone reusing slag, doesn’t mean it isn’t done but it may not be worth the chopping and crushing and blending to make it mix in well with the next melt.
Nountaineer
Well-known member
I did 3 times, I'll try again tomorrow.
Check your spelling, it’s fluorspar. I use it all the time and type it often and usually have to correct my spelling. Most common mistake is flourspar.
Nountaineer
Well-known member
There is something wrong since I even used their brand name and went to Walmart out of disgust and had a similar problem only showed 98 and 99 percent, no 95.
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DFC Ceramics, in Canon City, Colo. stocks the grade used by assayers around the world. I posted their address and phone number in a previous reply. CALL THEM!
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You don't buy Fluorspar at Walmart.
Darkthirty
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kurtak
Well-known member
Legend Mining - 5 pounds fluorspar for $17.50 - or 50 pounds for $76.88
https://www.lmine.com/index.php?mai...ult&search_in_description=1&keyword=fluorspar
they have most everything related to mining smelting assaying
it's the first place (but not the only place) I look when I need things
Kurt
https://www.lmine.com/index.php?mai...ult&search_in_description=1&keyword=fluorspar
they have most everything related to mining smelting assaying
it's the first place (but not the only place) I look when I need things
Kurt
