[Cob] has anyone made their own quicklime?

[Robert Matthews]

Hi 
I make my lime putty from roasted limestone.  I buy it pre-roasted. Then
I dissolve in water and it boils for an hour or so as the limestone
re-hydrates. This produces a very exothermic and alkali solution so be
careful it burns from heat and from chemical reaction.  Wear gloves &
goggles and stand well back once it starts to warm up. Bear in mine that
it will expand so only but a small amount in at a time. Use a metal
bucket.  Add lots of water as it will steam and dry out quickly. Then
leave in sealed container for 3 months covered in water.  In the event
of accident rush to a cold shower and remain there for a long while to
remove the alkali lime and sooth any burns. Be warned I have burnt
myself as nearly everyone I know who uses it has.  We learnt the hard
way. 
What your friend says seems correct.  Roasting at 140 degrees should
dehydrate it. How long did he suggest roasting it? 
Best wishes
Robert



-----Original Message-----
From: coblist-bounces at deatech.com [mailto:coblist-bounces at deatech.com]
On Behalf Of karl and tabitha o'melay
Sent: 12 October 2005 09:42
To: coblist at deatech.com
Subject: [Cob] has anyone made their own quicklime?

has anyone made their own quicklime? I have been working for a historic 
stone mason for the last few months & he told me the other day that he 
is going to make his own quicklime. i said i'd like to part of that 
experiment. he said that i can do it myself by sticking a piece of 
limestone in my wood burning stove (where temperatures exceed 1400 
degrees). he said you'll be amazed the piece of limestone will retain 
it's shape just lighter. allegedly, when you stick the piece into water 
it "reacts" dissolves into lime putty ready to be slacked.

is it really that easy?

has anyone tried to do this?

are there any additional hazards beyond the standard "quicklime is 
dangerous stuff"?

k-)


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