Hello. I was looking for some advice and info from people who actually know how to melt metals, hopefully you can help me. I am currently trying to melt some silver. I will be using an electric furnace and a small graphite crucible.
How do you guys think I should go about this? Keep in mind I am a total newbie.
My first issue is the small graphite crucible. It's brand new so it still has graphite powder on the inside, gets my fingers dirty.
Should I clean this residue? If so how should I clean it?
I am also under the impression I should preheat the crucible before it's first use. Is it always supposed to be preheated before use or just the first time? Also any advice on how to preheat a graphite crucible is apreciated.
I also have borax powder. It is my understanding I should mix it with water. I would still thank some advice on how and when to use the borax powder.
Finally this is the ingot I will be pouring the silver into:
ingot mould.jpg
I think I am supposed to heat it before the pouring. Is this correct? Also any advice on this matter would also be apreciated.
Thank you.
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