Respectfully, my main issue is being poor financially. I have a good respirator, nitric resistant gloves, an outdoor work space with an exaust fan.
I am not going to hurt myself or the environment around me. I have been studying hard and intend to read every post I can on this board. This is why I joined. Everything I have read so far seems highly intelligent and experienced.
I was reluctant to join a forum mostly because this is private to me. However, I am not a chemist. I don't know everything. I would like help. I will read more before asking any more questions.
So I don't have 30 bucks to order a stannous test and have had issues making my own. I can't pay 30 bucks a liter for good nitric acid, however what I have made seems to at least not be contaminated as it melts silver quickly and copper slower and it won't touch gold unless I add HCL. Also, it does not produce as much deadly red fume and the need for dilution is not as great.
Another reason I joined that group is because Kadriver or Streetips uses this board and he takes time to explain things. He is no chemist either but seems to have a passion similar to mine. After reading his post on inquartation I see this board has helped him as well with safety tips and results driven proceedures.
I have been interested in metals since a very young age and have always wanted to refine scrap or decent 14k gold into something pure. Nothing is pure in this world but why not try right?
Now I am 47 and have lived a great life aside from financial ruin. I finally have the chance to learn more and actually do what I want.
This is 30 grams of probably 6-12 Karat of over fluxed gold that I have gotten to this point from computer waste. If I can finish processing it maybe I can at least afford a scratch test kit so I can guess better what purity it is now. I have not mastered torching skills yet and am using store bought Borax. I tried the Oxalic acid recovery once and failed miserably but the only thing hurt was my pride.
Please guide me but don't worry about me