$10 and a trip to HD = DIY Anti-Scale compound that works!

Hankins

Hankins

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Dec 7, 2008
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$10 and a trip to HD = DIY Anti-Scale compound that works!
This is one of those small victories and a I'll be damned it actually worked moments.
Picked up a 1lb container of powdered Roach Killer and a 1lb box of Red (Iron Oxide) Cement Color this morning at HD. After reading an old thread here about making your own Anti-Scale compound. Few failed attempts and then it worked!
Formula: 8 parts by volume of roach killer (Boric Acid) to 2 parts powdered red cement color (Iron Oxide) worked exactly like the Keepbryte I was paying $25 plus shipping = $45 for from MSC.
KEY to making it work: Wear a mask rated for vapor, this stuff gives off nasty fumes. Preheat the blade to 500-600 deg F. Sprinkle with powder as evenly as you can. I used an old spice shaker jar with larger holes in the lid. Does not need to be thick in fact just even coverage is best. Preheating the blade helps the powder stick.
Heat to no higher than 1600 deg F or the boric acid will eat into the blade. Most will come off in the quench and the remainder can be removed under hot tap water. Store in a dry place.
Blades come out clean as a whistle when done properly. If the stuff sticks it is usually due to overheating,
 
Interesting stuff. Walmart has 20mule team borax as well which is what alot of people use for forge welding, same stuff I think.
 
That is the basic formula of Turco ( which isn't available anymore). I use a similar mix, using yellow ochre instead of red iron oxide ( almost the same thing), boric acid, and denatured alcohol.

Borax is sodium tetra-borate, boric acid is hydrogen borate....different things. Borax can be made into boric acid by reacting it with hydrochloric acid....but that isn't a good home project.

Twenty Mule Team Borax is a hydrated salt of boron. It has water in its molecular structure. That isn't really a problem in forge welding, but may be an issue with making a blade anti-scale coating mix. Powdered boric acid is fairly anhydrous, and usually a much finer particle size.
 
So, is the 8:2 ratio necessary, or is there a reason it isn't 4:1? I've got a jar of boric acid just waiting for a use. I'll give this a try.
 
Stacy
When you use your mixture do you Dip or Paint?
What is the temp limit?
Will it keep premixed for any length of time?
I just used a plastic spoon as a measuring device and found the 8-2 ratio worked best... So 4-1 should work but you will need to try on some test pieces first!
There are many variables involved so my formula is what worked in my Kiln in the dry desert Etc.
 
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