I learned, I assume from here and Hoke, to melt the pins I refine first before using the 50-50 nitric and water over medium heat. Am I under a wrong assumption? I melt them and drop into a large bucket with a stainless bowl at the bottom for forming larger (and faster) surface area of the material. Are there other reasons? I found Hoke mentions it on page 33 as "if necessary". It was asked in another forum why I melt the pins first and not just go straight to nitric? Thanks, Nick