Ferric Oxalate Nightmares.

[Photo Engineer]

Sounds like fun, but I'll stick to silver halide emulsions.

The still can be used for other distillations as well. Just as long as there are no lead lines or seams, the resulting material would be usable for anything, even something you wanted to drink.

~grin~.

PE

 

[vet173]

Yes, I have a still. That's what I meant. I'm using steam distilled water.

Cool. I didn't understand it that way. My grandma in the Ozarks had one also, but I don't think any emulsion would have survived it.

 

[Gustavo_Castilla]

I just want to throw my experiences out there to see if they are extremely abnormal or about the same as what other folks are seeing regarding mixing this troublesome goo.

Here's my "normal" procedure. I use a 1 cup Pyrex graduate to mix in. This gives plenty of room for elaborate stirring without spilling. I'm trying to make a 27% solution so it's 15 grams ferric oxalate powder, 1 gram Oxalic acid, 55ml distilled H2O. I make a "water bath" in a 1 quart Pyrex and put the 1 cup pyrex in the water bath. I heat the water bath with one of those coil things that has an electric element inside for re-heating coffee. When my distilled water gets steamy (around 200+ or - degrees F I add the Feric Oxalate. I stir a bit, then I add the Oxalic acid. Then I stir for about 1 1/2 hours. It's a PITA.

What I end up with is something like a 20% disolved solution which is useable. I have sludge that never ever does go into solution. I let it settle at the bottom of the bottle and try not to worry about it.

When I print, I have to use far more FO than the "recipes" call for. For instance an 8X10 would be 20 drops FO to 13 drops Pd Pt etc.

What am I doing wrong? What are you all experiencing? This stuff seems to be a nightmare to me.

BTW the powder I'm using was purchased from Artcraft Chemicals about 6 years ago, has been stored properly, and has always reacted just as it does now. I have no reason to believe it was a bad product.

Keep it simple Jim
the easyes and best wat to myx this is as follows :
get a brown glass bottle (the size you plan to mix start small)
Put the DESTILD Water IMPORTANT you do not want contaminents Iron or flouraite.
add the powder close tight and place in back or fron packet of YOUR pants and take it with you for a hick or just keep in packet the Warm of you body and constant agitation generated by walking will give you a good result!!
ask Kevin at BS
Hope this helps

 

[philsweeney]

Hi Jim,

Start with 120 degrees F distilled water. I do not use the oxallic acid. Add the FO and mix for about 5 minutes. Continue to mix every 5 min or so, for 15-20 minutes. Transfer to brown bottle. If you can through the day shake the bottle on occasion. Should be fine in 24 hours.

 

[photo8x10]

Hi,
Instead of oxalic acid, what do you use? :confused:

Best

Stefano Germi
Italy

 

[Jan Pietrzak]

Jim G.

I have used FO from Bostick & Sullivan for years, 'I have been keeping a small bottle that Dick made in 82?' and will try it some day. The best that I have found for me is to get 25mm dry packs and mix when needed. Just add distilled water and shake (the bottle that is). I mix the night before I need to work. It is like this one lady told me in the market "never buy avocados the day you want to eat them always get good ones and let them ripen".

Jan Pietrzak

ps if you have any business to do in Reno, NV stop by Truckee Meadows CC I have 50 plus print up in the gallery

 

[wm blunt]

Hi,
Instead of oxalic acid, what do you use? :confused:

Best

Stefano Germi
Italy

Don't use anything except the ferric oxalate powder and distilled water. That's all I've ever used and no problems. I too mix the night before I plan to print and by morning the ferric oxalate is ready.

 

[gbroadbridge]

After you have added approximately 20 to 30 ml of peroxide, the reaction will produce a clear brown solution (it looks like root beer).

Is it ready to drink yet?

This is worse than my moms ginger beer recipe.


Graham

 

[Ray Bidegain]

close tight and place in back or fron packet of YOUR pants and take it with you for a hick or just keep in packet the Warm of you body and constant agitation generated by walking will give you a good result!!
ask Kevin at BS
Hope this helps[/QUOTE]

SO..."is that a bottle of Ferric Oxalate in your pocket or are you...



Ray Bidegain