goldinsulator said:
Yes I will wait because of a teasure this site is. And what a great thing to know how to do.
Backwards is a true statement because I came across this site after I had jumped in .
A fool I am not , but frusrated I was.
And shall be back some better posts.
And again thanks for the help and advice thats was given.
John
That's the spirit, John!
It's important for you to understand the basics before you jump in. There are several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that precious metals in solution can be extremely dangerous. The simple addition of a substance (inadvertently) can create a catastrophic explosion, all without warning. For that reason, blind experimentation is to be discouraged. Follow the experiments proposed by Hoke, which will be excellent in teaching you how the elements behave in various conditions, as found in the lab.
Keep alcohol out of the refinery. Do your work sober-----as a clouded mind can be a disaster---to say nothing of the consequences of combining some of these solutions with alcohol.
I am solely responsible for this forum having adopted Hoke's book as it's bible. There is good reason why that is so, and the reason will be evident when you explore. She spoke in language that even I could understand, for I, like you, knew nothing about chemistry. In spite of that fact, I managed to learn to refine gold, silver, platinum and palladium, and went on to found a small refining service which saw me to my (early) retirement. I owe it all to Hoke, for, at that time, there was NO OTHER source of information on the market, nor was there a potential for any to be published (at least in the US), because it was illegal to own, process in any way, gold, without a federal license. The penalty for doing so was ten years and a $10,000 fine. That, of course, all changed on January 1, 1975.
I appreciate your attitude. That, here, is everything.
While I spend very little of my time on this board these days, there are those who have come behind me who are very adept at leading you in a good and proper direction. Follow their lead, and ask intelligent questions when you're stumped (and you will be)---questions that reflect the fact that you have, indeed, read Hoke's book. Doing so will put you on the same page with the readers---most of whom will already have been through the same things you face.
Do yourself one other favor. Discard anything you may have "learned" (a term I use loosely) from other sources. The basic guidance that has been dispensed on this forum has come from several individuals who have direct ties to the commercial refining industries. Between two of us, alone, there is a representation of more than 60 years of experience. Others bring to the table their excellent educations and additional years of experience. Here, you will not be lead astray.
Harold