Welcome In!

[nickvc]

Pete welcome to the forum.
You obviously are very bright and by reading Hoke you will give yourself a good start to understanding virtually everything we discuss on the forum. One word of caution, don't try to run before you walk by which I mean fully understand the processes before you actually start them. I hope you have read and fully absorbed the safety section it's probably the most important part to understand as safety is constantly alluded to for good reason, the chemicals and combination of various elements and acids create fumes and compounds that are not only dangerous but in some cases deadly.
I think we can all relate to the urge to get down to work and produce your first refined button of gold but please ensure your doing it safely for you, your family, your neighbours and the environment.

 

[ilikePM]

Yes Sir, safety is a very big factor for me and is constantly on my mind. The interesting thing that surprised me is that out of all the chemicals and reactions the worst of them all for me so far has been the fumes that come out of a SMB solution. Yikes! The slightest whiff of that sulfur gas makes me go into a coughing fit. It is so bad that it makes my nose runny, gives me a short breath, and it takes a while for it to wear off. I have heeded all the warnings about the nitric brown fumes (they are pretty nasty) and as far as I can tell SMB is the worst. So I have been using a respirator mask while using SMB, and it works.

 

[Palladium]

Smb does smell like crap! Just remember also that it's not the fumes you smell that does the damage.

 

[AuFish]

Hello All,

Glad to find such a great forum.

Name : Jason Wightman
Sex : Male
Age : 33
Location : Tampa, FL / Warwick, RI
Profession : Sales at Geib Refining Corp.
Hobbies : Fishing, Hunting, Golf, many other hobbies
Interrests :
How long have you been refining gold? : 5 years
What are you looking for in our community? : information, business relationships
How did you discovered our Forum? : google search


Other : If there is anything I can do to help. Please don't hesitate to ask; [email protected]

 

[incoherent_boy]

Name : Incoherent_boy
Sex : male
Age : somewhere near 30
Location : UK
Profession : chemist/consultant
Hobbies : Tinkering
Interests : Science (baking, food, booze, organic synthesis, improvised manufacture). Nature (climbing around, cycling, diving).
How long have you been refining gold or have interest in precious metals? : Precious metals since about 2005. No actual refining experience but I've made number of organometallic catalyst complexes (rhodium, palladium)
What are you looking for in our community? : Practical and improvised metal refining know-how. Particularly the improvised, non-commercial laboratory methods.
How did you discover our Forum? : Google via CM Hoke's book!

 

[hank hettinger]

Hello Guys
name: Hank Hettinger
sex: Male
Age: 70
profession: engineering USAF flight engineer
electrical and instrumetation contractor
Retired
Location: Harvest,Alabama
Interests: In 1990 I was electrical QC engr on a plating shop on a Navy Base in California,started reading Metal Finishing magazine to better understand chemical processes we were powering in the tanks. In the waste cleanup section was a cell that collected precious metals which fascinated me. i was purchasing Mil surplus electrical and electronics at the Navy base for resale and disassembly for parts. I kept gold bearing stuff until my retirement--NOW -for refining. I Tried sending some pins out about 7 lbs,with a 10 karat ring and some dental gold and assay costs and service charges left $223.00 at $1500 spot. I want to do my own refining, thats why i'm here.

 

[patnor1011]

Welcome here, feel like in home. I certainly feel like that in here.

 

[PowerSB]

Greetings all,

Name : Gaz
Sex : Male
Age : 36
Location : Kosovo
Profession : Interpreter
Hobbies : Fishing, metal detecting..and finally gold refining
Interests : recycling
How long have you been refining gold? : just started few months ago
What are you looking for in our community? : information, knowledge (which I gained from people in this forum and hoke's book)
How did you discovered our Forum? : google search


Other : I was trying to find a time to thank all posters in this forum, since I've learned many many things from them. Few months ago i read somewhere about gold being in electronics, and kept reading and reading until i found this forum. I've halted my self from asking questions that were already answered, and today I'm sitting in my chair writing this and admiring my gold powder (which is still in my jar). I can remember myself making a real mess, 100 cups, jars and bakers full of colored liquids laying all around and me not knowing what to do next . But all that is an old story now thanks to this forum!

 

[vali1980]

Name :Vali
Sex :male
Age :32
Location :Bucharest romania
Profession rivate military contractor
Hobbies :metal detecting,fire-weppons,climbing
Interests :metal detecting and now scrapping
How long have you been refining gold or have interest in precious metals :I m new in this field but I wish to learn more and maybe in spring do something
What are you looking for in our community :learning learning learning and than try to do it by my self
How did you discover our Forum :web

 

[auratus72]

Name : Sal
Sex : Male
Age : 40
Location : Canada
Profession : Aquaculture
Hobbies : Fishkeeping, Electronics
Interests : Precious metals in electronic components
How long have you been refining gold or have interest in precious metals? : 2 years
What are you looking for in our community? : Interaction and knowledge
How did you discover our Forum? : Internet

 

[thevyncent]

Greetings! and good day to all! ill follow the basic format so I don't have to type as much (wink)

Name : Vince
Sex :male
Age :39
Location : Brisbane, Californiaaaaaaaaaaa
Profession : union carpenter, 17 years.... have never been afraid of the effort = income philosophy
Hobbies : im a Gemini ......… I have LOTS of hobbies
Interests : always progress....
How long have you been refining gold or have interest in precious metals? : my interest in precious metals has grown in proportion to the market, obviously, my experience in refining? april or may this year :lol:
What are you looking for in our community? : reliable knowledge... I cant stand misinformation, one thing I have the utmost respect towards GRF is that u guys don't tolerate the shinanagans and riff raff to clutter up your site..
How did you discover our Forum? : general web surfing (shoulda went to vegas that day, I feel I was lucky finding this site)

for the most part im a quiet guy, I mean look its taken me 8 months to finally introduce myself. I haven't asked nothing yet, but that's cause I was scared of getting my wig peeled back for being lazy and not "using the search bar" .... na just kidding, it was solely due to the fact that the information on this site is so vast and comprehensive, that with a moments patience you can pretty much find anything you need...

 

[scrappile]

Better late than later I guess , used the other thread so that was last year,...


Name : Keith Glass
Sex : M
Age : 50's
Location : East Alabama
Profession : Industrial Electrician ,
Interests : Whats in side of it, always enjoy fixing something with what Is on hand.
How long have you been refining gold or have interest in precious metals? : Have a "two Baht" chain, other than that never really thought about it until selling some boards last year.
What are you looking for in our community? : Guess it was more for info about the things I had sold, Turns out I should be able to melt a small button, hope to contribute something positive in mean time,...
How did you discover our Forum? : after sending material to a refiner, GRF kept showing up ,




For Deano's Dryer,..

 

[AUH-R]

Hi all!

Name : AuH-R
Sex : M
Age : 35-40
Location : UK
Profession : Sales
Interests : Astrophotography and tinkering
How long have you been refining gold or have interest in precious metals? : No refining experience, interested in precious metals for 10 years.
What are you looking for in our community? : Knowledge
How did you discover our Forum? : Link from AlloyAvenue network post

See you around....

 

[JasonG5]

Hey everyone. I'm a complete noob to refining so please forgive my ignorance. Looking forward to soaking up all the knowledge I can.

Name : Jason
Sex : male
Age : 29
Location : Georgia
Profession : forklift operator
Hobbies : taking things apart and trying to figure out where the extra pieces came from when I put them back together.
Interests : science, technology, cars, reptiles...
How long have you been refining gold or have interest in precious metals? :
Haven't started refining yet but look forward to adding it to the hobbies list. Been fascinated by metals and gemstones since childhood.
What are you looking for in our community? : knowledge and experience.
How did you discover our Forum? : google

 

[user 33003]

Hello everyone from Neil
I am 50
Living in Australia
Was an electronic engineer for 26 years but for the last 6 years have trained and work as a emergency dept clincal nurse.
I have been A amateur lapidarist making jewellery and collecting gems to cut into jewels for most of my adult life and this seems like a logical progression.
I pan and kick dirt a bit as its pretty easy here but the refining process etc fascinates me and I am keen to learn.
I am also sick of purchasing plate /wire etc that when acid tested is on the low side of quality.
I ashamed to say i have way to many magnificent gems and coins that i have collected over the years that deserve to get out my jars and into a good setting.
I do have some basic crucibles, flux and torches etc but absolutely no knowledge on refining and thought this forum might give me enough of a idea to actual take the leap and give it a go!
Looking forward to reading and learning from everyone.

 

[JRBigBird]

Hello Everyone! I'm new to this, and going through the guided tour. Doing a ton of reading and this is just one of the stops.

Name : Jon
Sex : Male
Age : 33
Location : Varied (US Marines, Okinawa Japan at the moment)
Profession : US Military Draftsman/Surveyor/Engineer
Hobbies : Metalcasting, Machining, Motorcycling, Swordfighting, Boy Scouting, Kilts
Interests : Numismatics (Currency and Coin), Fine Scale Model Building/Sculpting/Painting
How long have you been refining gold or have interest in precious metals? : Loved Metals All my life, Cast/Machined/Forged Steel/Iron/Aluminum/Zinc/Pewter/Lead for several years, Never refined
What are you looking for in our community? : Knowledge and guidance in the safe exploration of recovering and refining Precious Metals.
How did you discover our Forum? : Google-YouTube-Goldnscrap-links-Forum, Here I Am!

 

[Geo]

hello guys. I've never really introduced myself and would like to take the time and do this. many of you should be acquainted with me by now but there are new people joining all the time.i consider many of you to be a little more than just an acquaintance and all of you to be my friends. ive been told that as a Libra,i seek balance in everything. i think i can agree with that.

Name :jeff
Sex :M
Age :48 (i think)
Location :Alabama
Profession : jack of all trades and master of known.
Hobbies : refining and scrap metal (and messing with my friends at the GRF)
Interests : my family
How long have you been refining gold or have interest in precious metals? : about 27 years now (just started truly refining a couple of years ago)
What are you looking for in our community? : unity,compassion,a sense of belonging to something bigger than myself. Oh Yea, and knowledge.
How did you discover our Forum? : found Lazersteve's website first, then linked to here where i lurked for a couple of months before joining.

 

[butcher]

Welcome, Geo
And our new members
Do you have Hoke's book?
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2815953/Refining-Precious-Metal-Wastes-C-M-Hoke

http://goldrefiningforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=6873#6873

 

[davidb]

Hi all,
Name David Brown
Sex : yes
Age :61
Location :mountains of New Mexico
Profession :Now that gets real complicated, been and accomplished at many things, currently coasting and recycling.
Hobbies :Homesteading as a way of life and environmental practices'
Interests :See above plus grandkids and a fine wife.
How long have you been refining gold or have interest in precious metals? :Not done any refining yet but am collecting and studying. But 4 years.
What are you looking for in our community? :networking and education
How did you discover our Forum? :surfing

I slayed the beast and gained financial independence, basically quit and found I was bored out of my mind. Then started a full blown recycling program in one of the most rural parts of the united states. Along the way I found e-scrap and when general recycling became too much for me to handle cut back to only e-scrap. I came to this point from an environmental perspective and that won't change. So the question I have up front is; Can I refine with less environmental impact than if I ship and have it refined? I just want to get this junk put back into our resource pool and not the landfills. Oh and make some pocket change along the way.
I do more than you might think in a rural area. Currently I am processing hundreds of dsl modems from our service provider and get telecom from the local telephone company. Add in a few computer gurus and hundreds of homes and I stay as busy as I want.
It seems like I have found a great site and have been lurking and reading for a couple weeks and really feel comfortable with the goings on here bouts. So, Hi All and I'll try not to be a bother.

 

[g_axelsson]

Hi David and welcome to the forum.

Your question about how to refine with least environmental impact is interesting.
I would say that it definitively is better to send the material away after disassembling and sorting. A larger refinery have the possibility to recover more metals than the home refinery. for example nickel, lead, tin, cobalt, beryllium, indium, chromium, and so on. That is materials that ends up in the waste stream for the small time refiner. If I'm not remembering wrong the Belgian refiner Umicore is recovering 35 different metals from e-waste.
That is one of the reason that I personally only recovers easily refined gold as fingers, pins and some flat packs with a lot gold. I never goes for full recovery. I always leaves enough components on pcb:s so my scrap yard accepts it as good material. Then I know that it will end up in a place where most metals will be recovered.

Göran