Janghas Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Hi! I'm Janghas from London and I am looking for help in learning to smelt cassiterite concentrate (tin). I'm looking for any schools, courses or private teachers from were I can get a hands on feel of the process involved. I can travel in the UK and would like to have any feedback that could help. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 Get googling for "Cornish Tin Enthusiasts" in the Perranporth area,......tinsmelting is in their DNA...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 Welcome aboard Janghas, glad to have you. Sounds like you're set on who to talk about smelting tin. Please post pics as you learn the craft. I'll probably never have occasion to smelt tin but it's a cool thing to have a handle on. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 We have bags of cassiterite here, as our town was founded on the discovery of tin ore. I know that Brasso has managed to smelt some to metallic tin but I'm not sure of the process involved. I'll ask him if he would care to comment on this post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Have you read up on it in De Re Metallica by Agricola? Does the tech level you want to smelt at make a difference: Ancient world, Medieval, Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, Modern? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brasso Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Hi Janghas, as Aus said, I did manage to smelt some metallic tin from cassiterite, although not a lot. All I did was mix the cassiterite with fine charcoal and a spoon full of Borax for good luck, threw it in a crucible with a layer of fine charcoal on top to keep oxygen out, and set it in the open forge. I wound the handle for about 15 minutes, allowed it to cool somewhat, then tipped the whole mess out and allowed it to cool right down. Not expecting results, I was quite surprised to find a few blobs of shiny metal among the rubbish. A few bits the size of corn kernels and more like bird shot. 2 or 3 trials later and I had just over an ounce of metallic tin. Next time I will grind my tin finer as I was using alluvial stuff that I panned myself and was a bit coarse. Also I would not charge the crucible as much because it expanded on heating much more than I expected. Good luck with your experiments and stay safe. Brasso. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 I thought the original poster may have replied to your comment, Morris, but I guess it's an old post and he's long gone. I would have been interesting to learn of his experiences smelting cassiterite, but I doubt he'll be back. Meanwhile, I think you should refine your technique and produce small engraved ingots of metallic tin for the tourist trade here. You would do very well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 sadly like too many new people, he posted and never returned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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