Where to buy Shor Electrolytic Thumb Cell Silver Refining System
Executive summary
The definitive place to purchase the Shor Electrolytic Thumb Cell Silver Refining System is directly from the manufacturer, Shor International, which lists the product on its website with full specifications and ordering information [1]. The company also positions related equipment and consumables—such as a required rectifier and complementary refining systems—on its site, and the product is discussed across hobbyist and professional forums and some resale marketplaces [1] [2] [3] [4].
1. Where to buy it: the manufacturer’s storefront is primary
Shor International’s official website lists the Shor Electrolytic Thumb Cell Silver Refining System as a product and provides product details, operational notes, and the company’s purchasing pathway, making the manufacturer storefront the primary, authoritative source for buying the machine [1]. Shor’s broader silver- and precious-metal-refining pages group their silver electrolytic offerings and supply chains together, which indicates that ordering, technical support, and required accessories are centralized through the company’s site [5] [6].
2. Price and purchase terms — what appears publicly available
Shor’s online catalog ties the Thumb Cell to related product listings that show a retail price point in the company’s ecosystem (a listing noted the Thumb Cell at $495 alongside other Shor products), indicating an accessible street price at the time of that listing [2]. The product page explicitly warns that the item represents “knowledge” and is non-returnable, signalling a no-returns policy on this unit as stated by Shor—an important buying term for prospective purchasers [1].
3. Don’t forget required accessories and compatibility limits
The Thumb Cell is a purely electrolytic system that requires a separate rectifier to operate; Shor sells a compatible rectifier and advises buyers accordingly, so purchasing the rectifier (or confirming compatibility of a third‑party rectifier) is a necessary step when acquiring the cell [1]. Shor also specifies the system works only with silver that is already at least roughly 90% pure (Sterling is cited as 92+% pure), which limits what scrap can be fed into the cell without pre‑treatment or different equipment [1].
4. Alternatives, resellers and second‑hand options
Beyond buying direct from Shor, hobbyists and small refiners discuss building thumb‑cell style electrolytic systems, sourcing parts and rectifiers from general marketplaces, or buying used/refurbished cells on auction sites such as eBay where electrolytic silver cells appear from time to time; these channels can offer lower upfront costs but require vetting and technical know‑how [3] [4]. Other manufacturers and larger industrial suppliers also offer electrolytic refining equipment at different scales—examples in reporting include industrial suppliers and overseas equipment makers that advertise similar electrolytic silver cells and automated tankhouse solutions for large operations [7] [8].
5. Safety, process limits and Shor’s product ecosystem
Shor’s site discusses process differences and safety tradeoffs across its product line—highlighting that some refining methods use acids like nitric and recommending their non‑acid “Simplicity” system for gold and platinum—meaning buyers should consider chemical handling, runoff, and intended feedstock when choosing between Shor products and other systems [5] [9] [10]. Community threads and refining forums amplify practical considerations—electrolyte recipes, current settings and contamination risks—that matter if choosing a Thumb Cell or a DIY alternative [11] [3].
6. Bottom line: the fastest, safest buying path and a checklist
The most direct and supported route to buy the Shor Electrolytic Thumb Cell is through Shor International’s website, where the product page, pricing and accessory guidance are published and where Shor markets related systems and supplies [1] [2] [6]. Prospective buyers should confirm the need for and acquire the compatible rectifier, verify that their feedstock meets the ≥90% silver guidance, and weigh the manufacturer’s no‑return policy—while noting that used units and DIY builds exist in forums and marketplaces if one accepts higher technical and safety risk [1] [3] [4].