http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/ Home Foundrymen's discussion forum on home metal casting Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:34:24 GMT Jeshua Lacock http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40037 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40037 ... In case any of you are wondering what the difference between "self appointed safety nannies" and sensible safety suggestions might be; any safety Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:37:42 GMT CaptonZap@... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40036 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40036 In a message dated 11/6/2009 2:03:09 PM Mountain Standard Time, dmnelson88@... writes: My friends and I want to try melting steel in our furnace, but we Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:45:28 GMT scobeyguy http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40035 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40035 Hi There, Let me give you my short answer first-----don't even think about it!!! I am curious about what type of furnace you plan to use. Does it reach a Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:50:14 GMT tmoranwms http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40034 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40034 Fireclay, grog, kyanite and alumina are good to start with. Alumina can be alumina hydrate from the pottery supplier, or aluminum oxide (blasting grit?), or Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:02:41 GMT dmnelson88 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40033 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40033 My friends and I want to try melting steel in our furnace, but we need a crucible that can withstand the heat. We are going to have my aunt use her kiln and Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:46:42 GMT Lyle http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40032 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40032 But we're talking about setting stones in a casting in this context. gut instinct tells me it'll be OK but silicon bronze isn't near as ductile as traditional Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:44:01 GMT Joseph Feldmann http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40031 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40031 Thanks for the reply, Gary-    I got mine from a jewelry supply house, so I don't know its exact composition. I think it was hard solder, as opposed to soft Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:45:03 GMT scobeyguy http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40030 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40030 Hi Lyle, I have cast many objects out of bronze, but I don't ever remember needing to bend anything. Most of what I have cast in bronze has been massive solid Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:26:56 GMT Lyle http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40029 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40029 Gary, All I know is when I pour silicon bronze belt buckles (and I've made 1000's of them) you need to be very careful when you bend the tang in the back as Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:49:40 GMT scobeyguy http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40028 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40028 ... Hi Yvan, No, I did not specifically mean , "silver solder". I just grabbed the first word that popped into my head when I wanted to do the Google search. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:29:25 GMT Joseph Feldmann http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40027 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40027 Hey there, Gary-     By solderability, do you mean silver solder?  Yvan Wolvesbane Pacifist ...with occasional lapses. ... [Non-text portions of this Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:03:42 GMT scobeyguy http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40026 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40026 Lyle, I also wondered about the ductility. In fact, thinking about it raised a question. First of all, a little setup. As is commonly known, brass and Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:04:43 GMT Lyle http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40025 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40025 Silicon bronze is the beez knees and you can blend it to get any color you want. Can't say anything about setting stones in it but don;t see why not except for Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:17:45 GMT scobeyguy http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40024 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40024 Hi Andy, I guess I should have made it clear that this was just one of the many silicon bronze alloys listed. I just used it as an example. I would guess Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:00:04 GMT ahkainz http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40023 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbicast/message/40023 I am just leary of switching to a different bronze, I like the workability, lack of a need for a flux, and the aesthetics of si bronze. I have brazed it before