theMoose

it is also important to add calcium chloride to the salt as it will lower the melting point and prevent the NaCl from boiling

the single most important thing that i think you all probably know is that sodium MUST NOT be in an aqueous solution with H2O, as it will explode. NaOH is also not exactly the safest substance to play with. The reaction MUST be done with molten NaCl. In essence, this is really a reaction that should be left to the industrialists. However, some people enjoy the thrill of doing dangerous things. So follow this hyperlink: Sodium Extraction The only thing that they don't tell you is what to make the box out of, and what to use for the anode and cathode. The anode should be carbon, the cathode should be steel. as for the rest, you're on your own.