Originally Posted by
NobleMetalWorks
Think of it like this.
The process you are referring to is called AP. You can go on GRF and read the actual process, and many threads related.
Gold plating is only worth around 35-40 cents per sq inch.
Unless you are doing a massive quantity of boards, which is a high overhead alone, this process will not net you anything but a little tiny bit of gold you can then sell for a tiny bit of money.
The time it would take to refine a sizable quantity, let's say at least a Troy ounce, will change your mind. If you decide to invest and make it profitable, you need to purchase equipment. And not just a couple air stones and 5 gallon plastic buckets. To make my AP process profitable and lucrative, I use a 250 and a 375 gallon fish tanks. There is the expense of running pumps, either responsibly disposing of your waste solution, and it generates a lot if you are doing this to be profitable or recovering the copper and other metals from the waste solution yourself, which takes additional equipment and a lot more knowledge. Other expenses will include some way of melting your gold, bringing the purity to 99.5 if you intend to sell for spot, remember you will be selling small quantities, so you probably will not get spot, depending on where you sell your gold.
The AP process is an electronics etching solution, and while it is probably one of the safest methods, you still need to wear safety gear, and know what you are doing. For example, if there is too much oxidizer, or oxygen involved, you may dissolve some gold which will end up cementing out as a black fine sand. To recover this gold takes another different process and requires the proper filtering. More cost.
If you truly wish to learn, you would serve you purpose well by reading posts on GRF. I am not here to discourage you, on the contrary, if you are serious, I only wish to help you to be aware of what you will be getting into. Refining for a living is not easy, it isn't simple, there are no magic bullets. It takes reading, buying the right equipment, understanding laboratory procedures and so much more. It is almost like science and craft work combined. You learn from reading and experience, but far more reading than anything else.
Choose wisely. Many many people who started refining have since given it up. Very few make a living refining on a small scale. Those who do, eat, breath and you know what, recovering and refining. Trying to find someone whom you might learn from is even more difficult, that is what GRF is all about, refiners helping refiners. Make an account there, read the threads posted, read about the AP process, pick up and read ancopy of Hoke's book which a free copy is downloadable from links on GRF and can legally be downloaded, this, so you might understand the terms used, and thus be able ton communicate readily with those who might help you.
Whatever you decide, good luck and be careful.
Scott
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