Jack Hirsch

Thank you, I was aware that it was talc, but completely forgot that it was carcinogenic. Figured I would do it outside with a respirator just to be safe. I know soapstone-carved molds are a thing, so I'm wondering if this would actually work moderately well. 

Hello everyone, while researching permanent molds as I want to repeatedly cast the same thing. While researching I ended up finding a few formulas in Volume #2 of The Chemical Formulary and they look good, but I feel like they would only survive one maybe to cast, not be "permanent" like the formulas suggest. I'm still going to try them out I just wanted to see what you guys thought of them first.

Formula #1:

3 Part by weight Chromite

1 Part Fused Silica

1 Part Bentonite 

Formula #2:

100 Parts Ground Soapstone

15 parts Sodium Silicate

25 parts water

Hello everyone after watching a youtube video by Shake the Future about his microwave kiln (he was supposed to release a how-to months ago but has disappeared since), and his microwave smelter is incredibly interesting as he is able to melt cast iron in it (I know not really practical but it looks cool). Does anyone know how he makes it? 

On 1/3/2023 at 10:40 PM, George N. M. said:

Jack, what is the copyright date of the Chemical Formulary, Vol 2?  If this is an older work I would take these kind of claims with a grain of salt (pun intended).  Like the internet today there is a lot of questionable claims in some older books.  I'm no chemist or metallurgist but I am skeptical.  If it was a truly revolutionary copper alloy it would probably be in common use and knowledge.

"By hammer and hand all arts do stand."

Hello, if memory serves it was either late 1930s or early 1940s

On 1/4/2023 at 10:38 AM, Scott NC said:

  Mayby he took out that patent knowing it was malarky.   He then waited for all his competitors to go broke finding a similar but better formula that actually worked.  Mayby he owned a copper mine or two.

Or a salt and borax mine

Hello everyone, I was perusing through the Chemical Formulary Volume 2 for some insperation and I came across a interesting composition that I can't seem to wrap my head around. It claims to be super hard alloy of copper and copper sulphate that is hard and durable enough to replace steel in some applications.

The composition is:

- 1 lb Copper

- 2 oz Copper Sulphate

- 2 oz salt

- 2 oz Borax

Copper is made into spall pieces, placed into a crucible and heated, when at melting tempurature the salt, copper sulphate and borax is added.

Does anyone understand the chemistry behind this so called alloy?

Hey don't be mean to the pee sword, it's very useful. I mean Wayland was a pretty crazy dude with the whole skull goblet ordeal and the flying. And hey like some odd inventions occur it probably either started as a gimmick or a drunken idea/bet. I can see two heavily drunk blacksmith's making ridiculous bets like "Hey Jerry, bet you can't make a poo sword, no no Jerry not a bad sword but a sword literally made from poo" and Jerry ofc being the idiot he was decided to do it and found it to be a harder iron.

7 hours ago, ThomasPowers said:

Blade de Foie Gras; a specialty of the smith

I'm gonna have to use that saying.

2 hours ago, Irondragon Forge & Clay said:

Welcome aboard Jack... Have you read this yet?  READ THIS FIRST

I have now thanks for the information

9 hours ago, ThomasPowers said:

Blade de Foie Gras; a specialty of the smith.

Yes or in lowbrow terms you shall be slain with a blade of a thousand movements

Thank you all for the great information.

Ahhhh okay that makes some sense from a non-scientific point of view.

Thank you very much Thomas. That's what I had originally heard but I'm pretty sure PETA would have a field day with that. I'm wondering if just mixing dried droppings into the pellets would be sufficient.

*at this point

Hey at this I've done three wrought iron runs and I believe I'm ready for something more "exotic". And I hear that phosphorus wrought iron while it has its downsides does have the positive properties I need for an upcoming project. Does anyone know how to add phosphorus to the smelt? I've heard bones or goose poop work but idk in what quantities or at what stage to add them. Does anyone have any knowledge on this subject?