Good day!

[goldenzoners]

Hello and I hope you're having a great day!

I am completely new to this forum and the hobby of refining. I am also a person that tends to soak up as much knowledge as possible before trying something, especially since this involves many complicated processes and safety hazards. I am not an expert in chemistry, although throughout my academic career I have studied it so I am already familiar with a lot of safety measures (clothing, gloves, eyewear, not putting water in acid etc.)
What I do need help with is some material that I can study.

I did read some forum threads and concluded that I am to carefully read the book by mrs. Hoke, for initial information on what is needed to complete the process, and then study topic in the forum regarding chemicals, equipment needed and safety precautions. Is there something else you'd recommend I do?

Thank you.

 

[Yggdrasil]

Hello and I hope you're having a great day!

I am completely new to this forum and the hobby of refining. I am also a person that tends to soak up as much knowledge as possible before trying something, especially since this involves many complicated processes and safety hazards. I am not an expert in chemistry, although throughout my academic career I have studied it so I am already familiar with a lot of safety measures (clothing, gloves, eyewear, not putting water in acid etc.)
What I do need help with is some material that I can study.

I did read some forum threads and concluded that I am to carefully read the book by mrs. Hoke, for initial information on what is needed to complete the process, and then study topic in the forum regarding chemicals, equipment needed and safety precautions. Is there something else you'd recommend I do?

Thank you.

Welcome.
Here is more direct links to some of the most important stuff

We ask our new members to do 3 things.
1. Read C.M. Hokes book on refining jewelers scrap, it gives an easy introduction to the most important chemistry regarding refining.
It is free here on the forum: Screen Readable Copy of Hoke's Book
2. Then read the safety section of the forum: Safety
3. And then read about "Dealing with waste" in the forum: Dealing with Waste

Suggested reading: The Library

Forum rules : https://goldrefiningforum.com/threads/board-policy-this-should-be-read-by-everyone.4646/

 

[goldenzoners]

Welcome.
Here is more direct links to some of the most important stuff

We ask our new members to do 3 things.
1. Read C.M. Hokes book on refining jewelers scrap, it gives an easy introduction to the most important chemistry regarding refining.
It is free here on the forum: Screen Readable Copy of Hoke's Book
2. Then read the safety section of the forum: Safety
3. And then read about "Dealing with waste" in the forum: Dealing with Waste

Suggested reading: The Library

Forum rules : https://goldrefiningforum.com/threads/board-policy-this-should-be-read-by-everyone.4646/

Thank you!

 

[andu]

Hello and I hope you're having a great day!

I am completely new to this forum and the hobby of refining. I am also a person that tends to soak up as much knowledge as possible before trying something, especially since this involves many complicated processes and safety hazards. I am not an expert in chemistry, although throughout my academic career I have studied it so I am already familiar with a lot of safety measures (clothing, gloves, eyewear, not putting water in acid etc.)
What I do need help with is some material that I can study.

I did read some forum threads and concluded that I am to carefully read the book by mrs. Hoke, for initial information on what is needed to complete the process, and then study topic in the forum regarding chemicals, equipment needed and safety precautions. Is there something else you'd recommend I do?

Thank you.

Welcome here! I must admit i didn't YET read the whole book myself but it really pisses me off to have to read about purification of PGMs when i only want to pile those up in the same ingot.
HOWEVER i did get answer i looked for in the book , while not related to precious metals still not to be found on google and it was there.

This being said, a 3-400 pages book shouldn't take more than 6 hours to read, should/could need a few more reads but after one you surely know where you have to seek for the info you want, it is fairly detailed.
I do hear words and stories where people claims it is old info, but 95% of the times it is perhaps more helpful... on the other hand... always search and ask for a second opinion, one can't trust it's own shadow.


NOTE: apart , we really need a book to learn to treat normal metals.

There is not much actual knowledge i can give to you, and I doubt anyone could if you don't preach a goal....
Anyhow i'd love if we had a newbie section where we can talk and discuss small refining amounts and learn with them, that would be my perhaps best advice and first step, start with something and learn.

I also learned too quickly that best, (opened my eyes a LOT) first you talk your plan, then you proceed, it can be pretty dangerous otherwise.

Personally, I'd love to know what you have at hand to start and what you want to do!

I am very soon about to separate all the leftover scrap I have, I found a place where i can excersise a bit of scrap chemistry and i'm excited, I will share my experiences.

 

[Yggdrasil]

Welcome here! I must admit i didn't YET read the whole book myself but it really pisses me off to have to read about purification of PGMs when i only want to pile those up in the same ingot.
HOWEVER i did get answer i looked for in the book , while not related to precious metals still not to be found on google and it was there.

This being said, a 3-400 pages book shouldn't take more than 6 hours to read, should/could need a few more reads but after one you surely know where you have to seek for the info you want, it is fairly detailed.
I do hear words and stories where people claims it is old info, but 95% of the times it is perhaps more helpful... on the other hand... always search and ask for a second opinion, one can't trust it's own shadow.


NOTE: apart , we really need a book to learn to treat normal metals.

There is not much actual knowledge i can give to you, and I doubt anyone could if you don't preach a goal....
Anyhow i'd love if we had a newbie section where we can talk and discuss small refining amounts and learn with them, that would be my perhaps best advice and first step, start with something and learn.

I also learned too quickly that best, (opened my eyes a LOT) first you talk your plan, then you proceed, it can be pretty dangerous otherwise.

Personally, I'd love to know what you have at hand to start and what you want to do!

I am very soon about to separate all the leftover scrap I have, I found a place where i can excersise a bit of scrap chemistry and i'm excited, I will share my experiences.

There is a reason to read the book, besides the factual approach to refining.
It will give the reader a minimum of chemical know how and understanding of the nomenclature of chemicals.
Add to this a simple approach on how to treat your glassware and perform simple operations in this line of work.
So after reading the book one can expect the reader to understand our language of chemistry.

Just to comfort you, if one was to write a book for only base metals it would be at least 10 books at triple the thickness.

 

[goldenzoners]

Welcome here! I must admit i didn't YET read the whole book myself but it really pisses me off to have to read about purification of PGMs when i only want to pile those up in the same ingot.
HOWEVER i did get answer i looked for in the book , while not related to precious metals still not to be found on google and it was there.

This being said, a 3-400 pages book shouldn't take more than 6 hours to read, should/could need a few more reads but after one you surely know where you have to seek for the info you want, it is fairly detailed.
I do hear words and stories where people claims it is old info, but 95% of the times it is perhaps more helpful... on the other hand... always search and ask for a second opinion, one can't trust it's own shadow.


NOTE: apart , we really need a book to learn to treat normal metals.

There is not much actual knowledge i can give to you, and I doubt anyone could if you don't preach a goal....
Anyhow i'd love if we had a newbie section where we can talk and discuss small refining amounts and learn with them, that would be my perhaps best advice and first step, start with something and learn.

I also learned too quickly that best, (opened my eyes a LOT) first you talk your plan, then you proceed, it can be pretty dangerous otherwise.

Personally, I'd love to know what you have at hand to start and what you want to do!

I am very soon about to separate all the leftover scrap I have, I found a place where i can excersise a bit of scrap chemistry and i'm excited, I will share my experiences.

Thank you for the warm welcome.

Yes, that was my plan initially, to read and get some info, then share my plan here for double checking everything and only then move to the actual work.

I haven't gotten anything to work with yet, my idea is to first get the equipment and waste management in order, and only then move to buying chemicals and scrap. Or do you believe I should get as much scrap as I can right now, just to have it handy? Is it a commodity whose supply will be going away very quickly?

 

[cejohnsonsr1]

I’ve paid far more for much smaller books that took a full 16 week semester to get through. Hoke is not a novel. It’s not a story. It’s not to be read from first page to last. It’s to be studied one chapter at a time.

 

[user 68538]

I’ve paid far more for much smaller books that took a full 16 week semester to get through. Hoke is not a novel. It’s not a story. It’s not to be read from first page to last. It’s to be studied one chapter at a time.

Studying and reading an old book, written by a nice lady a long time ago, is silly. The way you keep promoting it and pushing it, makes me feel like its the sites owners grandmother, to which they have the rights to her book.
Wanna see my C.Hokes antique ring I found at the beach? How bout more pics of the laws of physics being broken. Stop trying to sell your families book. Just as silly as the coin sites saying buy the Redbook. No point. You want the truth, seek out ancient Alchemy writings and books -

 

[Yggdrasil]

Studying and reading an old book, written by a nice lady a long time ago, is silly. The way you keep promoting it and pushing it, makes me feel like its the sites owners grandmother, to which they have the rights to her book.
Wanna see my C.Hokes antique ring I found at the beach? How bout more pics of the laws of physics being broken. Stop trying to sell your families book. Just as silly as the coin sites saying buy the Redbook. No point. You want the truth, seek out ancient Alchemy writings and books -

What is it with you?
Nobody here is pushing C.M. Hokes book like it is the Bible.
We push it mainly, because it is a nice book that addresses most of the well tested and accepted techniques of refining precious metals.
Additionally it brings newbies up to speed on most of the terminology so they can formulate sensible questions and understand the answers given.
It have faults and flaws and is colored by the time it was written.
The version we push here, has been lightly redacted to address the worst flaws.

Most of what you post are utterly rubbish so maybe you could benefit to study what we push again, if you have studied it at all.
And mate, drop the Alchemy completely.

For your benefit I will add the study material again.

We ask our new members to do 3 things.
1. Read C.M. Hokes book on refining jewelers scrap, it gives an easy introduction to the most important chemistry regarding refining.
It is free here on the forum: Screen Readable Copy of Hoke's Book
2. Then read the safety section of the forum: Safety
3. And then read about "Dealing with waste" in the forum: Dealing with Waste

Suggested reading: The Library

Forum rules : https://goldrefiningforum.com/threads/board-policy-this-should-be-read-by-everyone.4646/

 

[Martijn]

Studying and reading an old book, written by a nice lady a long time ago, is silly. The way you keep promoting it and pushing it, makes me feel like its the sites owners grandmother, to which they have the rights to her book.
Wanna see my C.Hokes antique ring I found at the beach? How bout more pics of the laws of physics being broken. Stop trying to sell your families book. Just as silly as the coin sites saying buy the Redbook. No point. You want the truth, seek out ancient Alchemy writings and books -

Welcome Back after your week time out Mr. "the one and only truth"

Have you ever researched ethics?

Seems you have not learned from your chance to self reflect.

I vote to nominate you for trolling of the month award!! If not a permanent ban.

Do you, besides the spreading of hate and disinfo, personal attacks, conspiracy theories, have anything positive to contribute to this wonderful forum full off good people who respect each others opinions and beliefs?

Only a severe mentally disabled person could think that we are trying to sell a book that's free... did you see any price in Dave's signature? Or a Pay-pal link?

Stop this. Please?

 

[MontanaMoody]

I for one was very appreciative of the link. Thank you.
I would have to say that maybe her safety protocols have been updated (tasting fluids and smells and such.) There are better ways.
That aside: Hoke wrote her manual during a very interesting time and I find it amazing that it is so complete. Many times when I cannot figure something out using YouTube or by finding technical papers, I find it in Hoke. Her work cannot be ignored and we should be thankful we have it. It is professional grade process that is available to us.
I work with e-waste. Every batch is different and the incredible variance of metals and other 'goo' in the process makes it challenging at best. Her work helps with methods many modern hobby refiners have forgotten.
Again, thank you for the forum and the link.

 

[andu]

Thank you for the warm welcome.

Yes, that was my plan initially, to read and get some info, then share my plan here for double checking everything and only then move to the actual work.

I haven't gotten anything to work with yet, my idea is to first get the equipment and waste management in order, and only then move to buying chemicals and scrap. Or do you believe I should get as much scrap as I can right now, just to have it handy? Is it a commodity whose supply will be going away very quickly?

i'd hoard.

 

[DaddyD]

I have never figured out why you are always trying to push this book the hole idea is to ask for help and advice

 

[Yggdrasil]

I have never figured out why you are always trying to push this book the hole idea is to ask for help and advice

The whole idea is to teach you guys to be independent.
We are not here to do your jobs/studying.
We do this on our free time and good will.

 

[cejohnsonsr1]

Studying and reading an old book, written by a nice lady a long time ago, is silly. The way you keep promoting it and pushing it, makes me feel like its the sites owners grandmother, to which they have the rights to her book.
Wanna see my C.Hokes antique ring I found at the beach? How bout more pics of the laws of physics being broken. Stop trying to sell your families book. Just as silly as the coin sites saying buy the Redbook. No point. You want the truth, seek out ancient Alchemy writings and books -

What a schmuck!

 

[Yggdrasil]

What a schmuck!

Please refrain from categorizing other members by demeaning names.
We need to treat all members with some respect.

 

[cejohnsonsr1]

I normally refrain from derogatory comments, but some are so worthy of derision that I occasionally speak out. This is one of those.

 

[cejohnsonsr1]

I have never figured out why you are always trying to push this book the hole idea is to ask for help and advice

Because the answers to all of your questions are in this book. You have one question now, but as soon as someone answers it you will have another. And another. And many more after that. The reason for this is something most people don’t understand and don’t want to hear. If you have to ask the question, you’re probably not going to understand the answer. I don’t say this to be rude, insulting or condescending. The simplest of the processes involved in recovering and refining precious metals is not simple. Hoke provides a means of obtaining the necessary knowledge and skills to understand what is happening, why it happens as it does and what you need to be aware of in order to carry out these processes successfully. It is literally the answer to the question you have now and all the questions you’re going to have. There are even a series of experiments that you can (and should) perform that will provide you with the foundation of the skills needed to be successful.

 

[Proffshuggarn]

The whole idea is to teach you guys to be independent.
We are not here to do your jobs/studying.
We do this on our free time and good will.

When I was younger and immortal, knew everything best and, not least, was God's gift to women, I wondered why no one wanted to hang out or become close friends with me. Today I learned the hard way, to "bend my neck" when it comes to things I don't master 110%. Knowledgeable people, who in all good sense advise you which way to go, regarding for example the art of recycling gold scrap using several potentially lethal explosive precursors, my common sense says that I should probably follow their advice to study before acting . And if I don't think I need these basic paths to knowledge, which the professionals here on the forum give me for free and above all for my and others' own safety and health... Then why am I here?? (My personal opinion) If you are provoked by an experienced Moderator or knowledgeable member giving you a handful of sources of knowledge, then I have a personal problem, which should be fixed before I venture into these chemicals. Just a little reflection..

 

[Yggdrasil]

In my youth, when I was immortal, knew everything best and, not least, was God's gift to women, I wondered why no one wanted to hang out or become close friends with me. Today I learned the hard way, to "bend my neck" when it comes to things I don't master 110%. Knowledgeable people, who in all good sense advise you which way to go, regarding for example the art of recycling gold scrap using several potentially lethal explosive precursors, my common sense says that I should probably follow their advice to study before acting . And if I don't think I need these basic paths to knowledge, which the professionals here on the forum give me for free and above all for my and others' own safety and health... Then why am I here?? (My personal opinion) If you are provoked by an experienced Moderator or knowledgeable member giving you a handful of sources of knowledge, then I have a personal problem, which should be fixed before I venture into these chemicals. Just a little reflection..

Hmm. I think there is something strange here..... Aah I found it.
It should be "When I was younger and immortal" right?
We are still young, until we are not