Caught a new calf down in Study Butte getting some run time in. Pretty easy to catch Carl enjoying dirt. Nice clear sky today but couldn't coax more than 1200° out of the fresnel lens. I need at least 1700° to melt and get a good pour out of some sterling silver. Went ahead and did a second nugget (31 g) with the propane. A bit tricky to fill a one ounce graphite mold without
a lot of heat...still working on my stamping skills. The search continues for a reliable method and materials sources. 90,102,46,0,B,0
Critters are Cool.
ReplyDeleteLove the new silver nugget making hobby. It might prove quite lucrative.
you'll have all the heat you need soon enough. Carl looks totally chilled and loved watching Floppy today. who's calf? cute thing.
ReplyDeleteI know we are not looking for correctness but it should say .925 as a Jewelers Mark.
ReplyDeleteAnother quick thought is the weight can be placed on back so you don't have to look it up.
Just all a thought I just had.
Buddy in Rosharon, Tx
I would buy a silver nugget from TFL!! Best little nugget yet!!
ReplyDeleteA small DIY forced air charcoal forge can easily get to the temperature you're looking for. Personally I think copper would make a much nicer looking product and it's about $1.70 an oz. at Provident Metals.
ReplyDeleteDo you have enough scrap materials laying around that you could create an insulated chamber to place the crucible inside?
ReplyDeletePumice, scoria, perlite all would be good insulation. Also, a reflective surface to force radiant heat back toward the crucible could be effective.
You'd essentially be creating a solar powered kiln.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBVa2bw3r_k
ReplyDeleteeasy forge