Q&A for How to Melt Brass

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  • Question
    Can I melt brass in the same furnace I use to melt cast iron?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but you will want to get a new crucible for each metal you melt. Cast iron has a higher melting point than brass, so if your furnace can do cast, then brass should be a piece of cake.
  • Question
    Why are there yellow and white fumes when I am melting brass?
    Community Answer
    Brass is a mix of copper and zinc. The zinc melts at a lower temperature than copper, and will burn off if it is heated to long. You can see the same smoke when you melt and burn pennies (only the outside layer is copper and the inside is zinc).
  • Question
    How do I thread a copper piece of pipe?
    Community Answer
    Apply a light coating of soldering flux to the outside of the pipe and the inside of the fitting, with a small brush or a cloth. Then, put the copper fitting in place on the pipe and rotate it a few times to make sure the flux is evenly spread.
  • Question
    If the zinc melts at a lower temperature than copper, does that mean the final result will be copper when I pour the molten metal?
    Community Answer
    Depends on how long you maintain the melting temperatures. Zinc will burn off, and you will have slag will come to the surface.
  • Question
    Can I heat a steel nail and melt the spike part?
    Community Answer
    It’s a lot easier to just cut it off. There are tools dedicated to cutting off the tip of a nail.
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