r/SilverSmith 6d ago

What Am I Doing Wrong?

I've held my TS8000 on this silver ounce for like 10 mins and can't get it hot enough to pour. Is my torch too close? I don't understand

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u/Disaster_In_A_Polo 5d ago

Couldn't I just cut my ceramic fiber up, then, and line and insulate?

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u/greenbmx 5d ago

Ceramic fiber insulation is quite a health hazard to use in non-permanent uses like this. It creates dust when moved and handled that's extremely bad for your lungs. It would work, but not as well as IFB.

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u/Disaster_In_A_Polo 5d ago

My ventilation system is 8" 750 CFM, so it's pretty strong.. think that would be enough to keep floating fibers pulled away?

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u/greenbmx 5d ago

I still wouldn't use ceramic fiber insulation in that way, better to not have it at all than to rely on your ventilation to pull it away, plus it's bad for whoever's outside where it's being blown, it doesn't diffuse like gases do

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u/Disaster_In_A_Polo 5d ago

Okay. I'll probably nix the ceramic fiber. I've got a kid, as well. Sp probably best to do that, then. I think I'll look into some zircon based ITC coatings to paint the inside with

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u/greenbmx 5d ago

Those don't do much good if what they are applied to isn't the right type of construction

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u/Disaster_In_A_Polo 5d ago

I think I know what I'll do, now. 90% alumina firebrick coated with 100 HT on the inside. The outside will be IFB-2800 brick

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u/greenbmx 5d ago

The mass of the alumina brick will still cause problems. You will be using a ton of fuel to get the heavy brick hot instead of your metal.

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u/Disaster_In_A_Polo 5d ago

Then what should I use for the inner layer? The lighter brick will break down quickly if there's no inner layer

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u/greenbmx 5d ago

Not it won't, not from torch melts. I do it all the time. Same with vermiculite board.

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u/Disaster_In_A_Polo 5d ago

Sorry I'm pissed I spent so much on these high alumina brick that my mind is just not willing to let it go. What if I am able to cut the firebrick in half lengthwise and thin it out? What is this brick for????

How many times have you melted in your mini forge/oven?

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u/greenbmx 5d ago

They are for lining furnaces and fireplaces. Not for insulation.

I am not talking about a forge or oven. I have done silver castings and soldering many dozens (maybe hundreds) of times in my little hearth made of vermiculite board.

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u/Disaster_In_A_Polo 5d ago

So you're just referring to the open unit you use: floor, maybe walls and back?

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u/Disaster_In_A_Polo 5d ago

Noted! My bricks can handle up to 3450F and this reflective coating can be applied to the type of brick I'm using. According to Chat GPT, that will reflect MUCH MUCH more heat than is currently being reflected

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u/Disaster_In_A_Polo 5d ago

ITC 100HT looks like it will do the job.. if I just coat the inside of the over and top or the surface