A fluxer for preparing analytical samples by flux fusion, comprising: a furnace assembly including a furnace chamber provided with heating elements positioned therein for heating an interior of the furnace chamber , the furnace chamber having an access opening ; a sample support assembly comprising: a support frame ; a crucible support having a crucible holder operatively connected to the support frame at opposite ends thereof, the crucible holder having a plurality of crucible receiving openings for receiving and supporting a plurality of crucibles , each crucible being adapted to receive a mixture of a sample and a flux material; a mold holder operatively connected to the support frame at opposite ends thereof, the mold holder having a plurality of mold receiving openings for receiving and supporting a plurality of molds , each mold being adapted to receive a fused mixture from a corresponding one of the plurality of crucibles upon rotation of the crucible holder ; a secondary frame ; and a retaining rod pivotally connected to the secondary frame configured to retain the crucibles within the crucible holder upon rotation of the crucible holder , wherein the secondary frame is fixed relative to the furnace chamber , and wherein the retaining rod extends above the crucible holder . a furnace assembly including a furnace chamber provided with heating elements positioned therein for heating an interior of the furnace chamber , the furnace chamber having an access opening ; a sample support assembly comprising: a support frame ; a crucible support having a crucible holder operatively connected to the support frame at opposite ends thereof, the crucible holder having a plurality of crucible receiving openings for receiving and supporting a plurality of crucibles , each crucible being adapted to receive a mixture of a sample and a flux material; a mold holder operatively connected to the support frame at opposite ends thereof, the mold holder having a plurality of mold receiving openings for receiving and supporting a plurality of molds , each mold being adapted to receive a fused mixture from a corresponding one of the plurality of crucibles upon rotation of the crucible holder ; a secondary frame ; and a retaining rod pivotally connected to the secondary frame configured to retain the crucibles within the crucible holder upon rotation of the crucible holder , wherein the secondary frame is fixed relative to the furnace chamber , and wherein the retaining rod extends above the crucible holder . a support frame ; a crucible support having a crucible holder operatively connected to the support frame at opposite ends thereof, the crucible holder having a plurality of crucible receiving openings for receiving and supporting a plurality of crucibles , each crucible being adapted to receive a mixture of a sample and a flux material; a mold holder operatively connected to the support frame at opposite ends thereof, the mold holder having a plurality of mold receiving openings for receiving and supporting a plurality of molds , each mold being adapted to receive a fused mixture from a corresponding one of the plurality of crucibles upon rotation of the crucible holder ; a secondary frame ; and a retaining rod pivotally connected to the secondary frame configured to retain the crucibles within the crucible holder upon rotation of the crucible holder , wherein the secondary frame is fixed relative to the furnace chamber , and wherein the retaining rod extends above the crucible holder . <EOS>