Gold stuck onto melting dish

[theinsecure]

Hi guys,

I tried melting a watch bracelet about 35 grams 18kt. It is mostly molten but now it’s stuck onto the metal pan… I used borax on the dish before using. It’s also a little dark in color on top the gold I think I used to much of the borax.

Is use this kind of torch (see picture down below)

Any tips or advise?

Greetings.

 

[Yggdrasil]

Hi guys,

I tried melting a watch bracelet about 35 grams 18kt. It is mostly molten but now it’s stuck onto the metal pan… I used borax on the dish before using. It’s also a little dark in color on top the gold I think I used to much of the borax.

Is use this kind of torch (see picture down below)

Any tips or advise?

Greetings.

Do not use metal when melting other metals.
Use proper melting dishes.
They might alloy.
For your current predicament.
Find a chisel and chisel it loose.
If you are lucky this will remove it all.

 

[Martijn]

the metal pan

Howdy neighbor.

About the pan: Aluminum? Cast iron? Stainless steel?

 

[kurtak]

It is mostly molten but now it’s stuck onto the metal pan… I used borax on the dish before using.

I am "a bit" confused here because first you say the gold is stuck in "the metal pan"

but then you also say that you used borax on the "dish"

So did you try to melt it in a "metal' pan --- or in a melting "dish" that is made for melting gold in

pictures of the pan/dish the gold is stuck in would be helpful

Kurt

 

[Martijn]

I am "a bit" confused here because first you say the gold is stuck in "the metal pan"

but then you also say that you used borax on the "dish"

So did you try to melt it in a "metal' pan --- or in a melting "dish" that is made for melting gold in

pictures of the pan/dish the gold is stuck in would be helpful

Kurt

I wonder if a torch like that can even melt a 35 gram 18K watch in a metal pan > heat sink!
Makes me wonder if it actually is gold and not plated aluminum.
We'll have to wait for a reply.

 

[theinsecure]

Greetings y’all, didn’t expect so many reactions this is the “spoon” that I used. Its like 2 months ago that I tried it that’s why its corroded in the meantime

 

[theinsecure]

 

[Shark]

That looks like an iron ladle for pouring lead, and a few other metals. That might need some work to free up the gold again.

Off the top of my head, grind or cut away the majority of the ladle and soak it in HCl to remove the iron, leaving your gold behind.

I hope someone else has a better answer.

 

[galenrog]

I have to agree with Shark. There is no way I can think of to free your gold without destroying the ladle, and Shark gives a good solution along those lines.

Time for more coffee.

 

[goldshark]

Tip it sideways to the pouring position. Hit the backside with the torch to the melting point of the Gold alloy. Allow the alloy to drip to a ceramic surface. It will help to tap the ladle onto the ceramic surface while at the required temperature. If you brazed the alloy to the CI, then follow Sharks recommendation. The alloy should melt at a lower temp than the CI/cast steel.

 

[grainsofgold]

sell it on ebay for gold weight that’s in it at or a little below spot Then buy a new ladle. Let someone else go to the trouble of getting the gold out.

 

[theinsecure]

That looks like an iron ladle for pouring lead, and a few other metals. That might need some work to free up the gold again.

Off the top of my head, grind or cut away the majority of the ladle and soak it in HCl to remove the iron, leaving your gold behind.

I hope someone else has a better answer.

Hi Shark, that sounded like a great idea so I went directly with it. I ended up with this piece of art.
It is bubbling in the HCI currently. Is there a possible way to fasten the process? I really appreciate your help and the suggestion by the other members

 

[Yggdrasil]

Hi Shark, that sounded like a great idea so I went directly with it. I ended up with this piece of art.
It is bubbling in the HCI currently. Is there a possible way to fasten the process? I really appreciate your help and the suggestion by the other members

You could cut/grind off as much Iron as possible.
Possibly by an angle grinder.
Jus make sure you have eye protection.

 

[haveagojoe]

why not just melt it again and pour it out?

 

[Shark]

Iron and gold forms an alloy. It won't completely separate with heat alone..

 

[Dreamer]

Just keep cooking it in HCl and be patient. It'll dissolve and you'll be able to claim your prize.

 

[galenrog]

Good job so far on recovering gold from your mistake. I see from the attached image that you have cut the bowl from the handle, cut excess iron from bowl, and given remainder a soak in HCl.

Continue soaking in HCl until all iron has been removed from the mess. Heat should help a bit to speed things up.

Some of the gold and iron will have alloyed while you were making your mess, so you will have to refine again.

So far, you have not made any major mistakes. The costs of this one are one ladle, wear on a saw or grinder, additional HCl, and time.

You also are learning a lot of what not to do. Once you have, once again, recovered the gold, put together a plan on refining, present it here, and we will pick it apart, sprinkle it with the magic dust acquired from the school of hard knocks, and give it back to you. Hopefully with any potential problems exposed and replaced with proper procedures.

Time for more coffee.