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.