[TheForge] Finding Lye - was Reclaiming Copper

[Chris Worsley]

Bruce,
www.fennerchemical.com  in Saginaw Mich. sells lye in bulk to soap makers.  
There are sellers on ebay as well, but going to the source is best.
My understanding is that it was the use of lye in meth labs that drove 
it off the general market.

Chris
AZ

Bruce Freeman wrote:

>Yeah, but what IS it?  Some mix of acids, I'd guess, as carbonate
>precipitation is the usual problem.  But you could do as well just
>buying the acids as such.
>
>Recap:
>Sulfuric acid (very dangerous) is available for car batteries.  Avoid
>using the stuff FROM car batteries, as it is full of toxic lead.
>Sodium bisulfate (MUCH less dangerous) is available at pool supply
>stores to lower water pH.  It's white crystals, easy to store and use.
>Phosphoric acid (moderately dangerous, and which allegedly leaves a
>protective layer on steel) is available at tile supply places (& Home
>Depot) for etching masonry before applying new mortar or tile.
>Muriatic acid (= hydrocloric acid; moderately dangerous; very dangerous
>to inhale vapors) is available in all hardware and paint stores.
>
>Now if anyone knows a retail source for lye (sodium hydroxide), please
>let me know.  Red Devil apparently stopped selling the stuff.  For
>general purposes, Crystal Draino will work, but not for soap-making.
>
>Bruce
>NJ
>  
>