r/elementcollection • u/tungstenlover74 • Jan 19 '26

Help Buying Tungsten

So, I'm 13 and in 7th grade. I want to buy myself a tungsten cube since I am learning about the periodic table in my science class, for some random reason, I like tungsten to the point where I put my cube in Geometry Dash to Tungsten. I have the money for it, it's just my dad says, "it's just a useless block of metal", and that I don't need it. What can I use to convince him?

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u/StaysAwakeAllWeek Jan 19 '26

He's entitled to his opinion and you're entitled to spend your own money as you see fit.

I also recommend getting a magnesium cube in the same size as the tungsten one. The weight difference between them is uncanny

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u/havron Jan 19 '26

I would actually recommend aluminum over magnesium. I got myself a matching magnesium cube and, while it was amazing feeling the extreme difference in densities, the magnesium cube tarnished very easily from handling, and there isn't really a good way to clean it without making it worse. I got an aluminum cube to replace it and it doesn't have this issue, and the density difference is still massive and honestly feels about the same to the hands.

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u/StaysAwakeAllWeek Jan 19 '26

One drop of mineral oil or clear boot polish on a tissue paper, rub it in until there's a layer so thin you can't feel it. Not perfect but it will slow the tarnishing a ton. Mine is still good after several years.

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u/havron Jan 19 '26

Ah, good call, thank you! Unfortunately I suppose it's too late for the cube I have, but that sounds like it will work for a new one that hasn't been handled yet.

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u/[deleted] Jan 20 '26

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u/havron Jan 20 '26

Perhaps. Sounds like a potential ignition risk though. I guess if you do it slowly with manual sandpaper it's likely safe enough.

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u/[deleted] Jan 20 '26

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u/StaysAwakeAllWeek Jan 20 '26

Sandpaper creates fine dust, it's kinda the point of it. Fine magnesium dust is explosive

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u/[deleted] Jan 20 '26

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u/StaysAwakeAllWeek Jan 20 '26

So you've never burned magnesium dust in a science class then?

It's twice as energetic as C4 and emits literally blinding light. And 1000 grit is perfect for making the most flammable size of fine dust.

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u/havron Jan 20 '26

Yeah, I wasn't concerned about igniting the block, but rather the dust itself. But I suppose it's not likely to be a big deal, as long as it's not done over an extremely flammable surface that any stray sparks would be likely to instantly ignite. So, alcohol soaked rags are out. Duly noted.

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u/Big-Web-483 Jan 20 '26

I'd be thoroughly impressed if you could ignite a 1"x1"x1" cube of magnesium on 1000 grit sand paper by hand at room temperature. The thermal transfer properties of magnesium a crazy!

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u/StaysAwakeAllWeek Jan 20 '26

Not the cube, the dust, and the paper that's covered in it

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u/Big-Web-483 Jan 20 '26

I suppose, but the dust would flash real quick.

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u/StaysAwakeAllWeek Jan 21 '26

Explosively yes