Clayton M. Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 I've got a bladesmithing book," The Complete Bladesmith: Forging your way to Perfection", and in this book it says that I can use borax as a flux material. I know that it can be used but the book said I have to melt it down, then once it hardens into a dark glassy material just grind it down it into a powder and then I can use it. Is that really necessary? I looked around a little on the Alchemy, Formulas, Fluxes, etc but have only read that I can just use the borax out of the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 nope, I use it as is from the box. read the other threads here about borax and become enlightened :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clayton M. Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 Thanks Steve. I appreciate the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Melting and grinding is to make your own anhydrous borax. I pour regular borax on my billets over a pan and re-run the stuff that comes off it and so slowly my regular borax becomes more anhydrous... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 The big draw to anhydrous borax is it doesn't foam as it melts. Not foaming as the water boils out allows it to coat the stock more quickly and without voids. Another aspect some guys cite is not foaming doesn't move small parts. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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