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Thread: some electrolysis on a few iron relics

  1. #1

    some electrolysis on a few iron relics

    I have a 5 gallon bucket of some relics that I have been saving.finally made the effort to go buy a used battery charger up at the pawn shop and get some done.
    below are the results.I'm no pro at this just a beginner but,I think they came out ok.
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  2. #2
    Veteran Member Skamaniac's Avatar
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    Looks good! I made one last year but I made it too big I think. I'm going to make a smaller one for smaller items. The old battery chargers definitely work better than the new ones with all the electronic safety features. How long was the active bath for each of the items?
    Land of Two Seasons - Snow and Fire Danger.

  3. #3
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    ...That's a big difference. They look great! Are you going to coat them in anything to keep them from rusting up again? If so, what?
    I'd love to give that a try, but me and electricity don't match up
    2014 Goals: 20 Silver, 5 Large Coppers, 1 Gold Coin (not anticipating being able to detect much this year; NEW BABY HERE!!)
    So Far: (0) Silver; (2) KG, LC 1807; (2) IH; (3) Buff


    2013 Total: 36 Silver; 5LC (including 1 FUGIO)
    2012 Total:101 Silver; 11 LC

  4. #4
    Pretty neat! Did you uncover any makers marks?

  5. #5
    thanks! i coated them with WD-40 wiped em down then clear polyurethane.hope they hold up!
    2008-14 coppers
    2009-32 coppers
    2010-34 coppers 2-GW buttons
    2011- 80 & 3/4 coppers 1-GW button
    2012- 92 coppers/large cents 1-GW button
    2013- 57 1/4 coppers 6- GW Buttons
    2014- 69 coppers 1-GW button
    2015- 20 1/4 coppers
    2016-44 coppers 1-GW button
    2017-19 & 1/2 coppers
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    2019-5 coppers
    click to see my photo album

  6. #6
    Administrator del's Avatar
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    not a bad Job Dave , I can mail you all my iron to do up


    Quote Originally Posted by RobW View Post
    I'd love to give that a try, but me and electricity don't match up
    I thought it was just you and cameras
    "Honesty is an expensive gift ,
    so don't expect it from cheap people"

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  7. #7
    [QUOTE=del;155479]not a bad Job Dave , I can mail you all my iron to do up

    should i be looking for a 40 foot trailer truck to be pulling up?
    2008-14 coppers
    2009-32 coppers
    2010-34 coppers 2-GW buttons
    2011- 80 & 3/4 coppers 1-GW button
    2012- 92 coppers/large cents 1-GW button
    2013- 57 1/4 coppers 6- GW Buttons
    2014- 69 coppers 1-GW button
    2015- 20 1/4 coppers
    2016-44 coppers 1-GW button
    2017-19 & 1/2 coppers
    2018-19 coppers 1-GW
    2019-5 coppers
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  8. #8
    Nice work! I need to move up from my current phone charger system to something like that.
    Oldest find: 5,000 year old copper spearhead
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  9. #9
    Elite Member coinnut's Avatar
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    Did you enjoy the fumes? I hope you weren't cooped up with them while cleaning them. I hear that hydrogen, as well as chromium gas is produced. Here is a short video on it. Nice to see the artifacts cleaned up a bit.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7gsqyL35xA
    Finding relics is in my blood

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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by del View Post

    I thought it was just you and cameras

    No, it's just me and EVERYTHING that's electrical/electronic....
    2014 Goals: 20 Silver, 5 Large Coppers, 1 Gold Coin (not anticipating being able to detect much this year; NEW BABY HERE!!)
    So Far: (0) Silver; (2) KG, LC 1807; (2) IH; (3) Buff


    2013 Total: 36 Silver; 5LC (including 1 FUGIO)
    2012 Total:101 Silver; 11 LC

  11. #11
    Administrator del's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by coinnut View Post
    Did you enjoy the fumes? I hope you weren't cooped up with them while cleaning them. I hear that hydrogen, as well as chromium gas is produced. Here is a short video on it. Nice to see the artifacts cleaned up a bit.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7gsqyL35xA
    I've seen just as good results with Apple cider vinegar maybe a perfect way for Rob because of the lack of electricity involved. I'm gonna try out that method as well on some of the iron i have collected.
    "Honesty is an expensive gift ,
    so don't expect it from cheap people"

    XP Deus II , DFX ,TDI sl -

    Click here to view my finds album


  12. #12
    Veteran Member Bell-Two's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by del View Post
    I've seen just as good results with Apple cider vinegar maybe a perfect way for Rob because of the lack of electricity involved. I'm gonna try out that method as well on some of the iron i have collected.
    I tried the vinegar approach and thoughts the results were only so so, I guess I am impatient for the vinegar takes a long time to work. A friend did some pieces for me with his battery charger setup and they came out great. Harbor Freight has some chargers fairly cheap $29 this month I may pick one up.
    Psalms 24:1 ¶ The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains...But God shares with us who search!
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  13. #13
    Administrator del's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bell-Two View Post
    I tried the vinegar approach and thoughts the results were only so so, I guess I am impatient for the vinegar takes a long time to work. A friend did some pieces for me with his battery charger setup and they came out great. Harbor Freight has some chargers fairly cheap $29 this month I may pick one up.
    was it Apple cider vinegar Tony ??
    "Honesty is an expensive gift ,
    so don't expect it from cheap people"

    XP Deus II , DFX ,TDI sl -

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  14. #14
    Elite Member giant056's Avatar
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    You're right to mention the apple cider vinegar del, it makes all the difference, I've been using it with fantastic results, it will take corrosion off any metal and quite fast too.

  15. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by coinnut View Post
    Did you enjoy the fumes? I hope you weren't cooped up with them while cleaning them. I hear that hydrogen, as well as chromium gas is produced. Here is a short video on it. Nice to see the artifacts cleaned up a bit.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7gsqyL35xA
    nah it's in a back room in back of my apt building
    2008-14 coppers
    2009-32 coppers
    2010-34 coppers 2-GW buttons
    2011- 80 & 3/4 coppers 1-GW button
    2012- 92 coppers/large cents 1-GW button
    2013- 57 1/4 coppers 6- GW Buttons
    2014- 69 coppers 1-GW button
    2015- 20 1/4 coppers
    2016-44 coppers 1-GW button
    2017-19 & 1/2 coppers
    2018-19 coppers 1-GW
    2019-5 coppers
    click to see my photo album

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by HEAVYMETALNUT View Post
    nah it's in a back room in back of my apt building
    ...glad you aren't one of my tenants!

    What are you using on the positive side?
    2014 Goals: 20 Silver, 5 Large Coppers, 1 Gold Coin (not anticipating being able to detect much this year; NEW BABY HERE!!)
    So Far: (0) Silver; (2) KG, LC 1807; (2) IH; (3) Buff


    2013 Total: 36 Silver; 5LC (including 1 FUGIO)
    2012 Total:101 Silver; 11 LC

  17. #17
    Veteran Member Bell-Two's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by del View Post
    was it Apple cider vinegar Tony ??
    Yes Apple Cider vinegar, I probably needed to let them soak longer I think I gave them two weeks. A couple of nice Ax Heads. I have a bunch of other stuff too.
    Psalms 24:1 ¶ The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains...But God shares with us who search!
    Member Dayton Diggers CTX 3030- Minelab E-Trac


    click here to view my finds album

  18. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by RobW View Post
    ...glad you aren't one of my tenants!

    What are you using on the positive side?
    im using a stainless steel plate
    2008-14 coppers
    2009-32 coppers
    2010-34 coppers 2-GW buttons
    2011- 80 & 3/4 coppers 1-GW button
    2012- 92 coppers/large cents 1-GW button
    2013- 57 1/4 coppers 6- GW Buttons
    2014- 69 coppers 1-GW button
    2015- 20 1/4 coppers
    2016-44 coppers 1-GW button
    2017-19 & 1/2 coppers
    2018-19 coppers 1-GW
    2019-5 coppers
    click to see my photo album

  19. #19
    Just noticed this post. Dave the relics came out awesome. You did a great job. I would love to do some on my iron relics but a just despise the clean up mess after. I usually only do small electrolysis set ups for silver that I dig from the ocean.
    Visit my metal detecting you tube channel to watch some of my digs.
    https://www.youtube.com/user/thiltzy1?feature=mhee

  20. #20
    What did you use for the electrolyte?

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