From Scrap to Stock: Silver Ingot Casting

[@dustinpollard6237]

Thank you for these tips. I've been smelting silver for almost a year and just made my first OZT of 14k scrap yesterday. I've melted many lbs of silver this year from a fortunate connection on CL with a cool dude from Buffalo who inherited a huge jar of silver powder from his grandfather. I've had many hours of research and hands on learning but you still taught me many lessons!! Great job.

[@RioGrande1944]

We are so happy to hear that it was helpful! Wishing you success!

[@cavalaxis]

This whole series is a master class, including typical failure points and how to anticipate or correct them. Thank you for this John!

[@rlm98253]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you.

[@mooon3060]

We love you Riogrande!

[@squirrel1179]

Great content no BS . Just started playing aroud with making things out of scrap as a hobby.

[@andreap9355]

Thanks for sharing, great details and video !

[@johnoakes6772]

Thank you...very educational

[@cathyenright9253]

Thank you so much for this great video!! Are Parts 2 and 3 available for viewing yet? I cannot find them. Thank you!

[@wasifhussain5408]

I couldn't find part 3 either. And the title of part two is "From Scrap to Stock: Rolling Silver Sheet"

[@cathyenright9253]

@@wasifhussain5408 Thanks so much for sharing the title of Part 2. Maybe Part 3 has not been published yet.

[@wasifhussain5408]

@@cathyenright9253 Gald to be of help. Yes, it seems that it hasn't been published OR they published it without following the series "From Scrap to Stock:" title? 🤔 In any case happy learning!

[@cathyenright9253]

@@wasifhussain5408 Happy learning to you as well! If/when I find the third in the series, I will share here.

[@wasifhussain5408]

@@cathyenright9253 I would be delighted Cathy if/when that happens.

[@Anna-yl2lp]

Is there a way to fix overmolten metal or still be able to do something with it, or is it useless?

[@oneshotme]

Enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@craigwillis9491]

I have a project which is at an impasse, More my limitations then anything else, I have a silver refining shop at my home in St. Michaels, MD where I refine scrap sterling silver to .999 fine . Starting with nitric acid boil, plating out with copper, melting the silver cement into shot and then 10 days in the electrolytic silver cell. This pure silver crystal stock is great for casing bars, I usually do 5 and 10 oz bars and logo and hallmark them. This has gone well and I have no issue with making bars. My next quest is to manufacture fractional rounds, and that's where I'm running into issues , I'd like to have you do a consult for helping me come up with a good system for making good quality ingot stock to roll constant strips. I'm clearly overworking my stock by rolling it to death and yes I'm Annealing it as needed, but I'm starting with a an ingot that is too thick and not consistent. Is this something that you might be able to help me solve? A phone call would explain the issues better, anyway let me know your initial thoughts, Not looking for any freebies just problem solving. Best Craig

[@jmring5471]

Dopeness!

[@rewalston]

you stated in the video that you should keep solder, etc out of your melt. I have some sterling rings that I've been trying to make and screwed up with part of the soldering (major learning experience) . How do I melt these to re-use? I know they won't be 925 sterling, but wondering if the solder would hurt it? Forgot to mention, that it was a sterling shank w/ twisted sterling-14k gold bands going around the shank)

[@jamiemcnay]

i have a military police badge from my USMC Acitive duty days. can you strike the numbers 2901 on the bottom banner of the badge. Looking to put in a memorabilia shadow box. If not can you recommend? Thank you very much.

[@napalmholocaust9093]

A machine shop or a tool and die maker will have larger number punches than a jewler will have. Harbor Freight carries 2 sizes also. The ones jewellers have are tiny.

[@ristorinne5817]

Thank you. I have learned so much from your videos as an amateur hobbyist. As i stated in on your other video i got my self a mill to make sheet from scrap silver. I need to make a sheet with dimensions, 2 inches wide - 8 inches length and about 1.2 mm thick. Is there some kind a formula to calculate amount silver needed and bullion size to cast so you get the desired dimensions? Or is it just to try, try and try again? Thank you for possible answer.

[@barbaracovey]

What kind of safety glasses are you wearing?

[@RioGrande1944]

For this process John used safety glasses with a #3 shade.

[@stephencoster9532]

Hiya John, thank you for this great video, wonderful to see a complete series on how it works from someone who actually does it as part of their jewellery life. A question if I may, I use propane gas, can this do the 'sooting'? If not what else can I do? OK two questions, I hope you don't mind? OK, that's three, I... Stay safe...Steve...

[@RioGrande1944]

Hello Stephen Coster, we spoke with out Tech Team and they wanted to let you know that propane will work for this, but you could also use a candle or a oil lamp as well. We hope this was helpful and thank you for watching!

[@stephencoster9532]

@@RioGrande1944 thank you...Steve...

[@carolholder2916]

Si no cosido como entrar en la tieneda río grande ver precio para comprar

[@liafletcher2000]

My tutor never uses flux when melting scrap silver. Not sure why he doesn't. Would you recommend using it?

[@annettejamieson4489]

What is the reason for adding the borax? Not everybody seems to do it

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Annette. Borax absorbs the oxides that are created when melting. It also helps the metal to flow better out of the crucible and into the mold. But be sure to use just a small pinch because too much can create problems. We hope this helps. Let us know if you have any other questions.

[@deborahhardeman8802]

How do you keep silver from sticking to small molds?

[@RioGrande1944]

Thank you for the comment, Deborah! Did you heat your mold prior to adding the silver? John discusses this at the 4:00 minute mark.

[@larrymoremckenzie3029]

So any scrap that has solder on it is no good anymore!

[@lesleyrahner2145]

What type of gas were you using? I have Oxy/Propane & Acetylene/Air.

[@g.m.5412]

I want to know too! I use straight propane gas....so not sure if I need those special shade goggles or not?

[@lesleyrahner2145]

@@g.m.5412 Rio still has not responded to our questions!

[@g.m.5412]

@@lesleyrahner2145 I know! I hope they will 😤

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi, in this video John used Oxy-Acetylene, but you can also use Oxy-Propane. If you have any issues creating soot with your oxy-propane setup, you can try this product, www.riogrande.com/product/metallon-ingot-mold-lubricant-spray/701095 Please let us know if you have any other questions!

[@adinamarin8955]

I want to hear all the bad stories

[@dawidwidera1819]

Competent as always.