Hi CJ,
I'm happy that Oscar shared his method with you as well. He was very generous with information all you had to was ask and show a willinness to learn. He was, after all, still the "Professor".
I do remember him recomending the Manganese Dioxide although he wasn't firmly convinced that it was entirely needed to do the job. He did say that, as MP posted below, something less than 10% was sufficient.
I'll agree that the temperature is probably in the 800 - 900 degree range. I use a face shield, welders gloves and a long sleeve sweatshirt (not a fun outfit on a 90 degree day). I also do this work in my garage because of how dangerous I believe the process is.
