Traditional uses for silver include creating coins, jewelry, decorative items and cutlery. These items are most commonly used when melting silver. Industrial uses of silver include batteries, ball bearings, soldering or brazing other metal items, as an industrial catalyst to create chemicals, and in electronics such as circuit boards, membrane switches, and television screens. Be careful when melting anything that might contain hazardous materials. Emerging technologies which utilize silver include medical, solar energy, and water purification. Silver minimizes bacterial growth by interrupting the ability of the bacteria to form chemical bonds and is used to prevent the spread of bacteria and to promote healing. [1] X Research source
Make sure you get a crucible that is an appropriate size for your project and is in good shape. Avoid old crucibles with cracks or excessive wear. You will use your crucible to store your silver as it melts and turns into its molten form. You will then poor the molten silver out of the crucible into a cast or mold. You can purchase a foundry crucible at a local casting supply store or at many online retailers. [2] X Research source
Your tongs are rated to be used with a crucible. Your tongs are in good working order. Your tongs are large enough to move your crucible. Purchase your crucible tongs at local hardware or metal casting stores or online. [3] X Research source
Make sure you get one that is rated properly. Make sure you buy one that is long enough for whatever level of melting you’ll be doing. Purchase your graphite stir rod at a local casting supply shop or online.
A furnace might be prohibitively expensive if you are only doing small-scale melting like several ounces every couple of weeks. However, if you’re doing projects every weekend or more often, you should consider a furnace. A blow torch might be inefficient if you are melting substantial amounts of silver. If you are starting out, you might want to start with a blow torch and then move up to a furnace once you are committed to melting silver. These items may be purchased from a metal casting supplier, specialty hardware stores, or online.
Molds and casts can be made from wood, certain alloys, ceramic, or clay. Molds and casts may be one of the most inexpensive of your supplies. You can make your own molds or casts or buy them from specialty casting stores in your community or from online retailers. To make your mold: pick a material and like wood or clay. Carve or shape your material to the size and using the detail desire. If you’re using ceramic or clay, you’ll need to fire them at temps over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit or 537 degrees Celsius. [4] X Research source
Industrial-grade goggles that are rated to protect against molten metal. Industrial-grade gloves rated to protect against molten metal. Industrial-grade apron rated to protect against molten metal. Industrial-grade face shield rated to protect against molten metal. You can purchase safety equipment from metal casting supply shops or from online retailers.
Put on your goggles, your gloves, your apron, and your face shield. Take out your skimming rod and any other materials you’ll need during the process. Inform family or roommates about what you’re doing and lock up any dogs or other pets in an area far from your smelting workshop.
The melting point of silver is 1763 degrees Fahrenheit or 961. 8 degrees Celsius. Monitor the temperature inside your furnace as it heats. Most furnaces include a temperature gauge to help you monitor it. If not, have one installed. Don’t remove the silver until it is completely melted. Only use your furnace outside or in an extremely well-ventilated area designed for foundry work.
Make sure you know how to use your blow torch before you start to melt your silver. Direct the flame directly at the silver item. Temperature will be difficult to monitor with a blow torch. However, many blow torches come with a temp. gauge attached. If you don’t have one, just wait for the silver to melt completely. The amount of time it takes to melt the silver will depend, based on the alloy composition, as well as the size of the object. Break large silver objects into smaller pieces and melt them in small batches to allow a more even distribution of heat which results in a quicker melting process. For more on melting silver with a blow torch, see: http://www. danielicaza. com/2011/03/first-entry-how-to-cast-ingot-fine. html[5] X Research source
Put on your gloves. Take your heat resistant tongs and grip the crucible. Place the crucible next to your cast or mold. Make sure you wear shoes and your other safety equipment. If you’re using a blow torch, take your tongs and move the crucible next to the mold you’ll be using. [6] X Research source
Take your rod and gently and evening slide it over the top of the molten silver. Then slide the flat side of your rod underneath the slag and lift it out of the silver. Place your slag someone safe, as you might want to melt it again to remove excess silver. [7] X Research source
Melted silver can be poured directly into molds, or casts, to create a number of items including jewelry, decorative items, cutlery, tableware, and containers. Pour very carefully and slowly so that you get all of the silver into the cast or mold and that you get the proper shape and angles that you want. Depending on the size of your silver casting project, you may need to utilize centrifugal force to allow the silver to reach all areas of the cast. Wait for your silver to cool and harden. [8] X Research source
Depending on your mold, it might be better to wait longer and having to break your mold instead of recasting the silver. Once the silver appears dry, give it another minute for the interior to cool off a little more. When dumping your silver, make sure you are wearing hand safety mitts, your apron, and even head gear. This will protect you from splash back if you do empty the mold too early. Pick up your mold and bang it on a hard surface. It should come right out. [9] X Research source
Take your tongs and pick up the silver bar or item. Slowly submerge the silver in clean/distilled water. As you submerge it, the water around the silver will boil and will produce steam. Leave the silver submerged for several moments – until the boiling and steam have subsided. Remove your silver from the water and enjoy![10] X Research source
