Sciencemadness Discussion Board - Liquid Mercury 76lb flask "distilled"

Liquid Mercury 76lb flask "distilled"

survivorjp - 18-3-2014 at 08:53

I have a flask that was never used way back when I was doing some gold mining in montana & alaska and was wondering what it is worth now? I am retired and looking to sell, any ideas Thanks

HgDinis25 - 18-3-2014 at 08:57

You should post this in Reagents and Apparatus Acquisition. Also, post some pictures so we can see your mercury. Where are you from anyway?

macckone - 18-3-2014 at 08:57

$3540 US as of 3/18/2014 at 10:51pm

http://www.metal-pages.com/metals/mercury/metal-prices-news-...

You are probably better off packaging it and selling in in 1/2 lb
quantities.

DraconicAcid - 18-3-2014 at 09:04

Quote: Originally posted by HgDinis25

You should post this in Reagents and Apparatus Acquisition. Also, post some pictures so we can see your mercury. Where are you from anyway?

His "location" suggest North Carolina, USA.

Liquid Mercury 76lb flask "distilled"

survivorjp - 18-3-2014 at 09:36

Thanks everyone, I am new on this site so all info is appreciated, I will go to reagents forum also. I live in North Carolina, I am looking to sell the whole flask without having to break it down to smaller quantities even though I could probably earn more for it in smaller amounts.

Zyklon-A - 18-3-2014 at 09:47

I doubt anybody will buy 76 pounds of Hg, but I could be wrong.

Quote: Originally posted by HgDinis25

You should post some pictures so we can see your mercury.

I see no reason to post a picture. mercury is mercury, we all know what it looks like. I have been wanting some mercury lately, but no where near that much....

DraconicAcid - 18-3-2014 at 09:49

Quote: Originally posted by Zyklonb

I doubt anybody will buy 76 pounds of Hg, but I could be wrong.... I have been wanting some mercury lately, but no where near that much....

That's what- about two-and-a-half litres?

Liquid Mercury 76lb flask "distilled"

survivorjp - 18-3-2014 at 09:54

Hi, I was directed from General Chemistry to here by the nice folks there, anyway I have this unopened distilled flask of mercury I am trying to sell as I am selling all my gold mining equipment, and purchasing a top of the line metal detector (Minelab) any ideas wil be greatly appreciated as to worth and what I can realistically get for it? Thanks Jimmy USNavy 1965-71

survivorjp - 18-3-2014 at 09:58

I just posted on the reagents & apparatus forum, I ight try and brea it dwn to smaller quantities but have no idea how to pour safely in smaller containers and what should those containers be made of and sizes?

MrHomeScientist - 18-3-2014 at 09:59

What other gold mining equipment do you have for sale? People (myself included) might be interested. Gold Rush is my favorite show on TV right now

I'll second the recommendation in the other thread to break it up and sell in smaller quantities. You'll be hard-pressed to find someone that actually wants 76 pounds of mercury and has the thousands of dollars to buy it.

Also I know you were directed to this subforum from the other one, but around here cross-posting is discouraged. More of a "next time post here" rather than "go make another post." Just a friendly heads-up that the moderators may delete one or merge both posts.

Liquid Mercury 76lb flask "distilled"

survivorjp - 18-3-2014 at 10:09

Thanks Mrhome scientist, I am new here and I appreciate the heads up. I still have the pontoon I used for a 5" dredge and a older air compressor that probably needs a going thru, I sold my dry suit and only have my dive shoes & socks and snorkle, I think I still have my air hoses and breather mouth piece, My last mining was in 2009 in Alaska. the mercury was never used and is still in the original metal container.

[Edited on 18-3-2014 by survivorjp]

Liquid Mercury 76lb flask "distilled"

survivorjp - 18-3-2014 at 10:18

I am in north carolina so I would consider delivering within reason since I am in the middle of the east coast and can reach quite a few states/areas from here in a fairly short time frame, I just might break the amount down to sell with a little help as to what type of container? and how to pour out certain amounts.or Ups it with proper safety procedures. Thanks MrHome Scientist

macckone - 18-3-2014 at 10:20

The usual size that chemical stores sell is 1/2 lb or 1 lb.
They usually ship it in polyethylene or polypropylene bottles
like they sell to put shampoo in for flying (4 fl oz). Obviously
the screw top variety. Then they heat seal them in vacuum bags.
Sometimes a third layer ziplock is added on top of that filled
with an absorbent material. As for moving the material,
I would recommend a turkey injector with a steel needle.

survivorjp - 18-3-2014 at 10:44

Thanks macckone, I sure appreciate any and all recommendations from this website as I am surely a novice at this but very cautious. I will take your ideas about re- bottling and transfer from the original flask and see if i can sell it easier than trying to move the whole flask at once. Thanks again

Praxichys - 18-3-2014 at 11:59

I would be interested in purchasing that all at once but it's a long way to Michigan.

MrHomeScientist - 18-3-2014 at 12:40

In my experience it's difficult to transfer mercury via syringe - it's such an amazingly heavy liquid that it can move very suddenly, fall out of the syringe, and otherwise behave unexpectedly. When transferring, place everything inside a big plastic tub like these for secondary containment. Have a mercury spill kit handy too - I bought mine off eBay. If you can't find one of those, sulfur or zinc powder are effective.

Liquid Mercury 76lb flask "distilled"

survivorjp - 18-3-2014 at 15:00

Thanks for the pic of the tub, I have one just like it, I used it to wash dredge sluice box out when I was prospecting. I think I can use it for the flask to set in while transferring the mercury.

Liquid Mercury 76lb flask "distilled"

survivorjp - 19-3-2014 at 12:30

If a 76 lb flask is currently 3540.00, I am probably going to be 20% less than spot on that, but I was wondering what are the general prices for smaller amounts if I decide to break this down to 1/4,1/2 & 1 lb size? anyone have some idea? thanks

DraconicAcid - 19-3-2014 at 12:42

Quote: Originally posted by survivorjp

If a 76 lb flask is currently 3540.00, I am probably going to be 20% less than spot on that, but I was wondering what are the general prices for smaller amounts if I decide to break this down to 1/4,1/2 & 1 lb size? anyone have some idea? thanks

$3540 divided by 76 is $46 and change. You could probably sell a pound for $40, half a pound for $20 and a quarter-pound for $10.

plante1999 - 19-3-2014 at 12:55

If you sell pounds for 40$ I will buy a few if you ship to Canada, it is a rare deal.

HgDinis25 - 19-3-2014 at 12:58

Legal shipment of mercury is, usually, very expensive.

Flask of Distilled mercury

survivorjp - 20-3-2014 at 06:10

I would rather sell the whole flask if possible for a substantial amount below the spot price of 3540.00, maybe 20% less, I can drive within a 150-200 mi. maybe just depends on route I may have to take and deliver for cash, your bank for certified check, or even pay pal, gold or silver of equal value or combination of any above. Let me know your thoughts, Thanks, Jimmy

survivorjp - 25-3-2014 at 09:08

Has anyone had any experience selling or purchasing mercury on ebay? I may investigate that avenue to sell my 76lb flask or some amounts such as 1/4-1/2 & 1 lb quantities. Thanks in advance for any info/help. Jimmy

Marvin - 25-3-2014 at 09:14

Be aware that shipping outside the US may now be against the law.

TheChemiKid - 25-3-2014 at 09:35

I would be interested in 1/2 or 1/4 pounds, can you check the price of shipping to NJ

Liquid mercury 76lb flask

survivorjp - 25-3-2014 at 09:36

here is a pic of the flask, it is in an approved container but i understand that the newer containers are somewhat different, Thanks, Jimmy

Fleaker - 26-3-2014 at 13:25

Try Bethlehem Apparatus if you're looking for a one shot deal.

Shipping it without proper training and compliant packaging is a federal offense.

Gooferking Science - 26-3-2014 at 13:38

I am an avid element collector. I wouldn't mind 1/4 or even 1/5 of a pound of mercury. Would you considering selling it in smaller quantities? I truly think you will find more buyers here if you split it into small quantities.

[Edited on 26-3-2014 by Gooferking Science]

Zyklon-A - 26-3-2014 at 14:14

Yeah, if you do divide the Hg into small quantities, I too would buy .1 - .5 lbs.

Ax165Xj - 29-3-2014 at 11:17

In mid-July I'll be passing through that area. If you still have some available, I would be quite interested in 1/4-1/2 lb and you wouldn't have to worry about shipping.

Ax165Xj - 29-3-2014 at 11:19

In mid-July I'll be passing through that area. If you still have some available, I would be quite interested in 1/4-1/2 lb and you wouldn't have to worry about shipping.