What's an Easy/Safe way to melt down Scrap Sterling?

**silvermagpie** · 27-08-2013, 01:50 PM

Hi Everyone,
i have quite a bit of scrap Sterling (i.e bits of wire and scrap sheet).
Was thinking of melting it down, but have to admit i'm a little apprehensive (as i've heard a few horror stories of people being badly burnt etc. doing this).
Has anyone got any advice as to how a novice like me can do this safely?
Thanks.

**Dennis** · 27-08-2013, 06:07 PM

Well you'll need a large torch to actually melt your scrap and a hearth to guard against molten metal flowing off your work surface. A deep roasting tin or the base of a barbecue are good for this.

The rest depends on how you will use your scrap, except that you will also need ventilation to protect against toxic fumes. Dennis

**silvermagpie** · 27-08-2013, 11:05 PM

OK,... thanks for the advice Dennis.

**Truffle & Podge** · 30-08-2013, 05:20 PM

I think i'm going to cut my scrap down and melt it into little balls of decorative shot then i can have a stash lol

**silvermagpie** · 02-09-2013, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Truffle & Podge

I think i'm going to cut my scrap down and melt it into little balls of decorative shot then i can have a stash lol

I've never been able to melt my Silver into Balls.
I always see Jewellery made with almost perfect looking Ball shapes, but never been able to do it myself! :/

**Dennis** · 02-09-2013, 12:12 PM

The most perfect beads are obviously factory made and if you hunt around you can probably find one hole beads in a size you require.

Traditionally home made balls are made by melting in neat depressions in a new charcoal block, (made by using a ball burr, possibly fixed into a pin vice and turned by hand). To get equal sized balls, jump rings are cut all of one size, fluxed and melted.

The balls can be further perfected by putting them into a small plastic container with some round shot and soap and then tumbling that in the barrel of your tumbler. This is to make it easier to retrieve the balls. Dennis.