What to do with a broken Alum block

[itsonlybarney]

My first Alum block has fallen apart into a few pieces, and obviously the crystals have sharp edges, making the pieces somewhat unusable.

Obviously the smaller ones can just be thrown, but the larger ones just don't make sense to throw away given they are semi usable. So what do you do with the broken pieces of Alum block?

 

[SpeedyPC]

My first Alum block has fallen apart into a few pieces, and obviously the crystals have sharp edges, making the pieces somewhat unusable.

Obviously the smaller ones can just be thrown, but the larger ones just don't make sense to throw away given they are semi usable. So what do you do with the broken pieces of Alum block?

Used the broken Alum block with your wet hands like a bar of soap and then rub it onto your face.

 

[Nanook]

Used the broken Alum block with your wet hands like a bar of soap and then rub it onto your face.

What he said.

There's nothing you can do about it other than use the larger pieces as you would a full block or buy another. You can't stick them together.

 

[Gargravarr]

Obviously the smaller ones can just be thrown, but the larger ones just don't make sense to throw away given they are semi usable. So what do you do with the broken pieces of Alum block?

Just dissolve the bits in water and keep the solution in a bottle with a fine nozzle. It works fine in liquid form.

 

[nav1]

You can use a file or sandpaper to smooth it out.

I buy raw potassium alum chunks which raggedy edges and use sandpaper to smooth them out.

 

[Zeke]

Toughen up and use them anyway! After a week or so it will be smooth again.
Sure, it will produce some weepers, but the alum will make them self-sealing.

 

[Gargravarr]

This topic comes up regularly.

There's nothing special about an alum block, you can just add easily use the stuff you get from Bunnings.

 

[itsonlybarney]

Used the broken Alum block with your wet hands like a bar of soap and then rub it onto your face.

I hadn't thought about that way, but that makes sense

There's nothing you can do about it other than use the larger pieces as you would a full block or buy another. You can't stick them together.

That was my intention for the larger pieces.

Just dissolve the bits in water and keep the solution in a bottle with a fine nozzle. It works fine in liquid form.

Hadn't thought about that, but that is something different.

You can use a file or sandpaper to smooth it out.

I buy raw potassium alum chunks which raggedy edges and use sandpaper to smooth them out.

Hadn't thought about using sandpaper on them, but that makes sense.

Toughen up and use them anyway! After a week or so it will be smooth again.
Sure, it will produce some weepers, but the alum will make them self-sealing.

Not saying I'm not going to use them, just curious whether it was worth continuing to use them, or just buy another.

There's nothing special about an alum block, you can just add easily use the stuff you get from Bunnings.

I didn't even know Bunnings sold it.

 

[Gargravarr]

I didn't even know Bunnings sold it.

In the swimming-pool section. It's used to settle the "bits" into a lump that can be easily filtered out. Perfectly pure enough for our purposes, and considerably cheaper than chips. One bag will last you for the rest of your life.