4metals isn't dead on here. He's just busy, for Pete's sake. Happens to us all.
I agree with everything 4 metals said regarding sponsors. It would be great to have people making small affordable induction melters, refining equipment, fume control etc. sized for amateurs transitioning to professionals. I was once there myself and can vouch that this place saved me some heartache, gave me some business, and most importantly some perspective and a good swift kick to the teeth learning from people who knew a helluva lot more than I thought I did!
I will reach out to the Italians at Italimpianti and see if they ever wanted to go grass roots. Likely against their business model, but perhaps all established equipment suppliers should look at cultivating future large users.
@Gwar, Insofar as 90% for 3N silver like that...hell, i'd have driven up and got it from you for me myself and as I like silver. Hopefully he paid you on the scale weight X 999 X 90% cash money!
As Midwest Refiners was brought up I have a little anecdote: Gary actually got
me into refining when I sent some pure platinum (melted from lab crucibles made by JM) to him, was told it was only 80% pure and the rest was iridium and that he had already melted it with other scrap and either accept the less-than-advertised money because of the (nonexistent) iridium or find a kite and some rain. Well that sure made me mad, but I needed the money and more importantly in hindsight,
the lesson. Went and started studying chemistry a bit harder, went to school, so on and so forth, started a business, etc. That was like 20 years ago, so I'm sure Gary is probably fabulously rich by now and perhaps operates differently. Interestingly enough, I was asked if I was interested in buying his PGMs years back, so I got the opportunity to politely recuse myself. He didn't remember me