Newbie from Il.

[CARRJAM1981]

Hey all. Just joined today and looking forward to this new adventure. I started recycling computers about a year ago . I sell on ebay under the same name ' CARRJAM1981 ". I basically just tear them down and seperate. I sell all my boards to a local company. All the cpu's and better stuff goes on ebay. So right now I am on the fence about taking this process a step further and actually start recover myself. So just wanted to say hey and thanks in advance for any help. This site looks like it will be really helpfull. Thanks Mike

 

[patnor1011]

hi mike, wellcome on the forum. to try refine yourself is logical step as you have access to loads of parts and scrap. i dont know if you can get more by refining cpu yourself than on ebay as sometimes we all saw prices sky high there... :lol:
the best thing is to start study, read few books which can be downloaded here, choose the best method for different types of material and do few test batches. all the best. pat.

 

[CARRJAM1981]

hi mike, wellcome on the forum. to try refine yourself is logical step as you have access to loads of parts and scrap. i dont know if you can get more by refining cpu yourself than on ebay as sometimes we all saw prices sky high there... :lol:
the best thing is to start study, read few books which can be downloaded here, choose the best method for different types of material and do few test batches. all the best. pat.

Thanks and I will start studying. I just wondering if you can lead me in the right direction because I am seeing so much all at 1 time. Where is a good place to start. What would be the easiest method and which parts. I was thinking either maybe the green and black cpu's or slot cpu cards or even fingers. Thanks

 

[patnor1011]

everyone here will tell you that the best start will be reading throught hokes book. after that you can find here which process is the best for what you want to refine. For fingers the most of people here use AP. Pins can be stripped using reverse plating cell. If you want to see some of this and get some useful tutorial on video and some essential supplies go to Steve`s webpage.
Hoke:
http://rapidshare.com/files/204807747/R ... M_Hoke.pdf

Steve`s web:
http://www.goldrecovery.us

 

[glorycloud]

Hey Mike,

Welcome to the forum!

I would really suggest that you spend some time in the safety section reviewing
things like handling chemicals, proper precautions, adequate ventilation, how to
handle the waste acids, etc. Then you can decide if this is for you.

The "easy button" items that you have access to are the gold fingers and the CPU's.
I have enjoyed learning the process of recovery and refining but it is labor intensive
on the small hobbyist scale and you may do just as well selling your "easy button"
items here or on ebay.

I don't chase after the pins, etc. anymore as it just isn't worth my effort as
it takes stronger chemicals to process and refine and there are more difficult base
metals that have to be dealt with efficiently and practically to get good quality
gold on the back end.

Anyway, check out lazersteve's website http://www.goldrecovery.us/
It has great info as well.

Good luck!!

 

[firewalker]

Just take your time....

What part of IL?

 

[CARRJAM1981]

Just take your time....

What part of IL?

I am about an hour south of Chicago in a small town called Braceville.

Thanks for everyones help. I might be trying to do something soon we will see. Right now I am getting like atleast 25 computers in a week almost more than I can handle. So maybe I just start stock piling till winter and see. I was excited the other day when I found my first pentium pro chip and then found another 1 the next day. I didn't realize how much bigger they were than the 386-486. Then I found a wierd 1 the other day that was ceramic but on the top side with the gold plate it has like bolts to hold on the heat sink made into the cpu and also all plated. The first 1 I ever seen.

 

[firewalker]

Down by Effingham. Sounds like you might have a sun orocessor