Gold refining from motherboards.

I got into e-waste because I was reading about " all the gold in computers" and started studying. My first stop was the gold refining forum. Then board sort ( to sell anything wasn't going to refine), and by way of a review on board sort, found you guys!!

I bought the acids. Buckets. Gloves hoods torches crucibles fire bricks tongs etc. I turned my garage into an almost meth lab..lol!

I cut a pound of fingers off a pound of boards and collected a buch of stuff to strip.

I'm down to the final stages, and let me tell you I've lost a lot of money on this failed project. Almost had a fume related accident. And honestly....have a vat of acid waiting for disposal.

It's not worth it....collect boards, sell boards, and buy gold. Or partner with with an experienced refiner!

My $.02

Amen! I am happy to hear you are all right! There is no turning around the impact an accident can have on you.

Well said. I did the same thing. Started reading up at the gold refining forum. Started getting stuff together. Bought some videos from lasersteve, some melting pots etc.

Then I realised that the components can be sold at a good price without the headache and expense.

If anyone is dead set on getting into this, send me a PM and I can put together a list of what I have and a price on it all (including some gold filled material that should yield about 2 grams of 24k). Would like to just get rid of the stuff at this point. Space is a premium in my garage.

I pretty much did the same thing. "I can do this, I a little bit of a chemistry background" Then researched and decided it would be to much of a headache. If I want the metals refined, Ill save up a bunch and take it down to an experienced refiner!

parrothead, Isn't the buyer down in Fla advertising that he's buying gold filled of different values??

Quote:

---

Relectrocycle; Precious Metals:
Gold Plated Jewelry: $6/lb
Gold Filled 1/10th: $25/oz
Gold Filled 1/20th: $13.5/oz
Karat Gold: 80% of Spot Price
Solid Silver items: 80% of Spot Price

---

Yes he is, but I actually prepped it all for refining so most identifiers of % filled and karat are gone from my material. Jack would have to take my word for it and I would not expect anyone to do that. Then his buyer would have to take his word for it.

I had a lot of watch bands that were marked something along these lines. "shell 1/10 12k gold filled". So I stripped the shell off, but the markings were on the base of the band and discarded.

I worked in a gold mine in the mid to late 70s, it was a low grade ore, and they used a method called electrolosis. I had some nice looking ore that had followed me home in my lunchbucket, and eventually got a rock tumbler, thinking i could grind it down, and maybe make a ring or something, but all it made was a mess. I'm just wondering, if you know, what happened to the electrolosis process?

If you go to the gold refinning forum they have a lot of infromation. But I will say the the process you are referring to is probably reverse electro platting. By passing current through a metal object in a solution platting can occur. If you reverse the polarity, positive to negitive, the the object would de-plate. Its one of the processes used in the refinning of gold. Mike

I'm personally glad to see that a few members are reinforcing what we have been telling some of the newer folks, "to leave it to the experts". They have it down to a science and are taking all the risks.

I was thinking of trying my hand at this till I read what you guy's went threw and I will pass, going to find me some boxes and weight my stuff up and get it ready to go, Thanks for your posts..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

I'm personally glad to see that a few members are reinforcing what we have been telling some of the newer folks, "to leave it to the experts". They have it down to a science and are taking all the risks.

---

I agree they make money doing what they do and I make money doing what I do without me risking something I don't know enough about. If I reach the point of several tons of gold bearing product a month than I might reconsider what I'm doing. Right now I am happy moving product and making a living. Don't start "garage refining" unless you are fully prepared. You risk personal and environmental damage.

If you're interested in obtaining JUST GOLD from a few of your items I have a line of a guy here in Ohio that will refine your material for a percentage of the Gold.

Been There, Done That....
I started down that path as well. I have a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry, and worked as a chemist for 10 years, but the safety faactor, the price of proper disposal of chemicals, and the sheer time that it takes was enough to cause me to look for more economical ways to turn this particular sow's ear into a silk purse.

Thortek I do have some material that has been through the first stages of chemical deplating using dilute HCl and H2O2. I would like to speak with your refiner. Would you mind sending me a pm?

Thanks!

send me a pm also. thanks.

Parrothead....what process were you attempting? Do you have any reverse plating gear? Specifically, anodes or cathodes?

now i gotta get my partner to read this thread, arguements about cars is our biggest conflict, right after that the computers building up that we are dissassembling he wants to make his own gold, all i want to see is some GREEN, not to mention the fact most days we go all day whens he gonna do it???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thortek

If you're interested in obtaining JUST GOLD from a few of your items I have a line of a guy here in Ohio that will refine your material for a percentage of the Gold.

---

Pls send me a pm.

Good Morning, all! I hope I have found myself at the right place.
Is there anyone here who can give me some insight on melting the gold powder reclaimed from electronics, computers, etc.?
Basically I have been doing a lot of homework on how the process goes and am familliar with the safety issues with chemicals, fire, fumes, handling waste chemicals, n' such.
QUESTION: Most everything I have learned or watched on melting the gold, involves using a Clay type crucible, prepped (seasoned), of course. During my travels over many years, I picked up a cast iron crucible. I know it is prone to oxidation (it is rusty right now, and I plan on cleaning it, if I use it at all.
Now, can I use the cast iron crucible just as I would the clay type, and would I prep it with borax powder the same way?
Please help me as my frustration level is gettin' pretty high, because I can find no useful information on the internet, or really anyone who wants to share their experience, or knowlege about these things.
BTW, I am planning on getting some good books as soon as I can. Also sorry about being a little long-winded. It's the way I was made.....
Thank you to anyone with good info.!
xod.

Xodiax, try this forum.

GOLD REFINING FORUM - GOLD REFINERS HELPING ONE ANOTHER

Sucess is mostly measured against Failures. Thomas Edison is the example who comes to mind.

Thanks Freonjoe! I'll give it a try.

That is the only place to go to find out about self refining. When you go there, read and read, and read some more.