Awake204

Hey guys,
Perhaps some of you remember my 'What to do with 4oz of crap weed' post Well, after reading the suggestions and doing a bit of research, I read up on how to isomerize hash oil to rotate less-psychoactive cannibinoid molecules into delta-9 THC. Im thinking this would be a great experiment to do, and would definately solve my 'crap weed' problem
Has anyone tried this, by first extracting the hash oil using the butane extractor method? For that matter, has anyone made oil using the butane extractor method? Is the isomerization worth the time and trouble?

Any replies will be, as always, sincerely appreciated
_Awake204

XxXTripperXxX

Here's a discussion on oil extraction methods (including butane) from the Recycling Forum, had not long ago. Lots of good info:

http://www.hempcultivation.com/420/s...&threadid=7404

Awake204

Thanks again xxxTripperxxx,
That was a pretty involved (and interesting!) thread!. It seems like acetone, butane, or grain alcohol provide pretty much the same results, except that the butane/PVC method extracts the cannibinoids immediately.
Im a little concerned with the butane and the plastic PVC, though. Will the butane react with the PVC at all? I dont want to be smoking any of that! Would it be safer to use a length of steel pipe, or try to construct a tube out of glass? ( I suppose you could drill holes in the bottom of a mason jar or something similar)
Have you ever tried isomerization?
The stuff I got from my first grow isnt awful, its got a really pleasant 'up' high, but you have to smoke like a bowl and a half to really get anywhere. I dont like beating up my lungs like that, ya know? Ive got 4 ounces of it, I tossed the leaves (wasnt even thinking about making oil then, but I didnt have too many leaves anyway)
SO! My next project will be to try and convert a small amount of it to oil, and if that works maybe Ill do up the whole batch. If I come up with anything interesting Ill post it up!

Thanks again,
Awake204

Nuggs

Hey kids,

I happen to have a "quantity" of quick-start ether, the type sold in auto parts stores for starting diesel engines. I use it in my ever-entertaining potato cannon . It is a good solvent with an extremely low boiling point. It is cheaper and easier to find than butane by far, and it evaporates leaving no residue. Has anyone thought to try this with the above method? Just like butane, this stuff is HYPER flammable so do it outdoors away from all sources of ignition. If you try it, let us all know how it works...

Cheers,
Nuggs

Awake204

Thanks for the reply man!
Ether, huh? Hmmm....I guess it would depend on wheather or not THC and the related cannibinoids are soluble in ether. Hold on...let me go check Erowid....here ya go:

So I guess some naptha or starter fluid would do the trick! I think Im going to pick up a copy of Marijuana Chemistry and Cannabis Alchemy - they should provide enough answers!

THC is soluble in alchohol too, although not as much as Acetone or Ether...I found that out a while ago and Ive got me a batch of Green Dragon brewing!

Thanks,
_Awake204

Nuggs

Folks,

If you are going to use this stuff, make EXTRA EXTRA sure that you allow enough time for the solvents to evaporate. There is a small amount of toluene in it, which will cause all sorts of nasty health problems . Do a search on the net beforehand, just to educate yourself. Also, this ether is not the petroleum variety. It is ethyl ether, which is the REAL ether that was used for anaesthetic purposes in the bad old days. Since all ethers are very similar, I think it would still make a first-class oil-extraction solvent. Just be very safe and take the extra time to let it all evaporate. I will continue to research this product and will post any notable findings.

Also, because this forms a vapor (unlike butane) it will sink to the ground and flow like an invisible fluid. DO NOT use this stuff indoors. It can do crazy things like ooze down to the basement and into the pilot light of your water heater. DON'T use it indoors. See examples of the meth labs blowing up on your local news channel. They use ethyl ether, too. No amount of sweet, yummy honey oil is worth dying for. Be safe.

Safely,
Nuggs

XxXTripperXxX

Acetone = Yuck man. If you want the best, here it is:
Check out this thread for more info on the topic and where to purchase:

http://www.hempcultivation.com/420/s...&threadid=9025

Butane, grain alcohol and isopropyl are also tried and true... Stick with 'em.

Awake204

Thanks for the posts guys...

XxxTripperxxX,
Why dont you like using Acetone? Is it due to its extreme flammability? I managed to get some 100% Acetone from HomeDepot, I evaporated it off in a glass dish and I dont see any residue...would it make a good solvent?
Howabout Denatured Alcohol? As long as its evaporated completely, would it work as well as 100% grain alcohol? (The best I can find around here is 160proof Vodka) Does the methanol in it post any kind of health hazard?
I tried the butane extraction yesterday, and it was a raging success!! I powdered up 5grams of bud and stems, placed it in my PVC extraction pipe, and ran butane through until it came out clear. Then, I took the pyrex dish with the gummy residue in it, placed it in a larger glass pot and made a double boiler. As it heated, I added some 160proof Vodka and stirred until I had dissolved it all. Then, I tipped up the smaller dish (with the oil in it), so it all ran down along the edge and concentrated into a pool. I then added 1g of powdered MJ and allowed the rest of the alcohol to evaporate.
Two friends and I got BLASTED after a bowl of the stuff!!! Only problem is, the only Butane I could find was $2.99 for 2.5 oz. BUT, I found it way cheaper on the net:

http://dcloudco.com/pages/01a/01a22.html

My question for you now is:
What about isomerization? Have you tried it? All the recipies Ive read call for sulfuric acid...could I use Muriatic Acid (dilute HCL) instead?

Thanks again,
_Awake204

St0ney

Is it the fact that it has a low boiling temp or what it's made of? I was reading some stuff on the net about using CO2 to extract oils cause it has a very low boiling temp..? Here is the link-->http://google.yahoo.com/bin/query?p=...+CO2&hc=0&hs=1

If CO2 would work it would be WAY safer to use..?

What do you guys think...

St0ney

__________________

"A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." -- Albert Einstein

St0ney

Check out what I found.. http://www.che.orst.edu/sesey2/supercri.htm
St0ney

__________________

"A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." -- Albert Einstein