Why I flux with sawdust...

[Ian]

The yellow, smoker flame means a fair amount of carbon monoxide is being produced. Carbon monoxide is a good reducing agent and in my opinion is what really helps get the oxides back into the melt.

Once the fire goes out keep stirring and pouring lead thru the carbon. The carbon will help grab the dirt and stuff we don't want. Things like calcium or aluminum.

If you'd just said "redox" and "adsorption" instead of using all those complicated words I could have figured what you meant a lot easier...

 

[Brad]

Must come from 25+ years of trying to explain somewhat complex issues in simple terms for the public to digest.
Anyone here care to explain the concept of rotamers to senior citizens? I get asked often to explain the difference between citolapram and escitolapram.

All that matters is that sawdust plain works. I will admit I keep some paraffin or wax near the pot. It works well to remove the oxide buildup that develops on my ladle spout. Just rub it on the hot ladle and keep going.

 

[Pistolero]

Brad, tell them it just depends on how you twist the molecule, what it can do. I tell folks that some molecules fit into others like a key into
a lock to make it work, but if the molecule is folded or twisted differently, the lock or key may be blocked, or a different one now available.

I may be a mech eng, but I have spent 30+yrs with a friend who is a research professor in microbiology, listening to his
research grant ideas, and research results, and asking questions so I could hold my own. Over the years I helped build,
improve and repair various kinds of lab equipment. Never even took organic chem in college, but sure have learned a lot
of it afterwards - worked at a chemical company for years - and then spent a number of vacations with my biochemist friend.

I have been using a wooden stir stick, will have to try the sawdust trick.

Thanks for the details.

Bill