Value of Old Mercury

Pete-IN · May 31, 2012

Question is not about an old car, but is about the element mercury. Guy I know restores 100 yr old clocks. Sometimes he will replace old discolored mercury in the weights with new which is very pricey. He could probably get rid of the old at HazMat collection day but seems like the old may have value. With all the knowledge on this board, anyone have experience with this?
I am well aware of how toxic this is, so no lectures please. Pete

Billy NY · May 31, 2012

Some info
Mercury

DownSouth · May 31, 2012

Now that has some really interesting information about mercury besides it's value. Even mentions the use of mercury in Grandfather clocks. Thanks for posting, I'm a little smarter today!

Billy NY · May 31, 2012

That is one substance I want a mile perimeter between me and it LOL, I dug column footings in a mercury plant for an addition to their facility in Jersey City, NJ back in the day and it gave me the creeps just to be on that site, of course in reality you were more likely to get mugged by a local thug than have a problem with mercury, the whole area had industrial odors, and the area was brownfield and or not far from being a super fund site.

Wilks54 · May 31, 2012

I know you said no lectures, but I think it should be stated for others that are reading this just how toxic mercury can be. Even when you have some mercury sitting on the work bench (quicksilver) and it looks harmless enough, it is actually off gassing mercury vapor, which is extremely toxic. It will mess with your neurological functions, give erratic mood swings, and eventually put you in a coma leading to death. This is where the old saying "mad as a hatter" or the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland character came from, as the old hatters would use mercury to help form felt hats.

There are only a select number of places around the country that can reclaim mercury. You can't dispose of it in a landfill, as it has a land-ban restriction on it. If you bring it to a community haz-mat recycling center, please inform them that you have mercury.

I am not aware of a value for mercury, other than it is pretty pricey to get rid of.

ldj · May 31, 2012

As a kid I used to brake thermometers to get it to play with. Also rubbed it on coins and made them look new. Well it did affect my brain. Oh, know this because external_link says I haven't got since to make my health care decisions.

Billy NY · May 31, 2012

LOL !

Harold H · May 31, 2012

When we were in school we also used to play with it, never had any side effects from it.

Harold H

Bob Bancroft · May 31, 2012

Can't say I've had any of those symptoms. But now I can blame any issues on one more thing. I used to play with the stuff as a child. Must be a gov't. program out there somewhere to help me?!

BushogPapa · May 31, 2012

So TRUE...!!

Just MORE Propaganda from "Big Brother"...

Same for Asbestos if handled correctly...

Can't you see it..???

Ron..

JMOR · May 31, 2012

(quoted from post at 08:16:50 05/31/12) Question is not about an old car, but is about the element mercury. Guy I know restores 100 yr old clocks. Sometimes he will replace old discolored mercury in the weights with new which is very pricey. He could probably get rid of the old at HazMat collection day but seems like the old may have value. With all the knowledge on this board, anyone have experience with this?
I am well aware of how toxic this is, so no lectures please. Pete

ome high precision pistol shooters use it inside hollow slide guide rods of pistols to help stabilize pistol upon firing........so there is at least one present day use for it.

JerryS · May 31, 2012

How is this stuff 'mined'? With a pump and a bucket?

Dell (WA) · May 31, 2012

Pete........Hg (mercury) is a metal that is liquid at normal temperatures. Besides using it fer old fashioned glass thermometers, mercury was also used in GOLD (Au) mining. It mixes with powdered and ground gold ore and is refractory distilled to be used again. It vaporizes before gold does. .......miner Dell

VADAVE · May 31, 2012

Well Wilks54 you are probalby right IF you handle mercury every day 8 hours a day for X years.
I don't think you right for the individual that handls mercury on a very occasional basis.
I have done all the kid stuff with mercury such as making scatter and then reassemble into single puddle, making coins look new etc. I can also tell you a story about demostrating the power of gravity with mercury with pretty nursing students and having one get a mouth full. I want to tell you that girl could really suck.
Guess what I'm saying is Take what the scaredy cats say with a grain of salt.

Todd Hovick · May 31, 2012

My Grandfather used to put it in pistol and shotgun barrels, cork each end and move it end to end. It would remove the lead in the barrels and then he would strain it through cheescloth and keep it for anouther use.

Value of Old Mercury

Pete-IN

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Billy NY

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DownSouth

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Billy NY

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Wilks54

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ldj

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Billy NY

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Harold H

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Bob Bancroft

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BushogPapa

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JMOR

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JerryS

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Dell (WA)

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VADAVE

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Todd Hovick

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