Smelting

[Yggdrasil]

Live and learn. I found 78 pounds for $325 but can't buy large quantities. Can you tell me how to use it?

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.

 

[snoman701]

https://www.axner.com/fluorspar-superfine.aspx
It's not that hard to find.

 

[Nountaineer]

I purchased the 98 percent which is more expensive. Look at the price at Fisher Scientific for 99 percent.

 

[snoman701]

I can't think of a reason you'd need the 98%.

 

[Nountaineer]

I didn't know any better.

 

[4metals]

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.

 

[Nountaineer]

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.

 

[4metals]

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.

 

[andu]

mbmllc has proven that both slag and crucibles have some leftover metal at end of life, so there's always something left behind.

 

[Martijn]

mbmllc has proven that both slag and crucibles have some leftover metal at end of life, so there's always something left behind.

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]

I just ordered 2.5 pounds through Amazon for about $160 shipped. Calcium fluoride also called fluorite.

Ouch, buddy always change eBay first. Education costs Time and Money, but I bet you are a lot smarter now.

 

[Nountaineer]

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.

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?

Ouch, buddy always change eBay first. Education costs Time and Money, but I bet you are a lot smarter now.

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.

 

[4metals]

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.

 

[Nountaineer]

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.

I did 3 times, I'll try again tomorrow.

 

[4metals]

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]

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.

 

[goldshark]

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!

 

[goldshark]

You don't buy Fluorspar at Walmart.

 

[Darkthirty]

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.

https://www.axner.com/search.aspx?find=FLUORSPAR

 

[kurtak]

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