Anhydrous borax

[blackboogers]

I thought I would confirm an earlier post about anhydrous borax. I have the 20 mule borax and tried to weld some cable without much success. The borax when applied would fluff up and not cover very well. I took a coffee can and filled it about a third of the way and used a rose bud to melt it (it took a little while) then I used a large brass rod to crunch it up again (about sand size). I used this material again on the cable and it worked great, no fluffing or dropping off. You probably could use the oven but I would go as high as you can so that it melts and then grind it up. I will use the oven the next time. Just thought I would confirm and pass it along.

 

[Will52100]

I've never tried makeing it, but after the regular borax bubbles and falls off the billit in my forge, I generly have a large puddle in the bottom clay pan and after it is liquid I just dip the billit in it. Seems to work well.

Also if you sprinkle the borax on while at a black heat it sticks better, to much and it just foams up and falls off.

 

[indian george]

B.B. That is all I use to make cable and Damascus, the old 20 mule team right out of the box. You have to make sure you get it up to welding temp. I apply the flux with a large salt shake ( Big Holes ) it does take very much. It has to look like honey when it melts. I tighten the cable up on the anvil with a hammer at welding heat and brush the hell out of it, before it cools then back into the forge. I do this until it sounds solid and then it put it into the press.