A concise introduction to home chemistry and methods/utensils for an improvised chem lab setup - for those interested in setting up their very own home chemistry laboratory.
Tired of watching a nurdrage video and not having the means to try it at home? Make a lab. We will be using various methods shown in The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments, online videos, other instructables, and some methods I've conceived on my own. We will try to minimize cost wherever possible and thus use the most readily available materials. However, I will present a more costly albeit better quality option for some of these. Read with an open and resourceful mind and be able to expand on these ideas.
Note: No experiments are involved.
Link to source of inspiration: http://www.scribd.com/doc/21654883/The-Golden-Book-of-Chemistry-Experiments
This site has basically anything you'd need in a home lab: http://www.hometrainingtools.com/chemistry/c/3/
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Signing UpStep 1Materials and Tools
Look for these easily accessible items:
-glass jars
-glass bottles
-glass vase
-metal or plastic tubes (i.e. from pens,)
-wire hangers : you can shape these into a number of useful contraptions with pliers
-ash tray : for dealing with molten glass or igniting a substance.
-aluminum cans: top can be cut off with a can opener and used as a container.
-spice vials
-plastic containers and organizers
-latex, neoprene, or nitrile gloves
-boxes (for storing)
-knife
-razors
-sponges
-rags or old clothing for cleaning/polilshing
-cloth pins
-glass or steel rod
-scrap wood
-school supply boxes
-clamps
-lighters/matches
-super glue
-corks (@Michaels)
-candles
-toothbrush -as cleaning utensil
-spray bottle
-funnel and coffee filters for filtering solutions
-plastic pail for waste
-liquid soap dispenser
-permanent marker
-measuring cup
-paper towels
Might Have to Buy:
-glass medicine droppers (@ Walmart): you can also use these as shaping glass - see how in step 7.
-Brasso Metal Polish (optional - for aesthetic purposes)
- goo gone ( or any functional label remover)
-beaker
- flasks (@Michaels)
-rubber chair tips (@ Walmart)
-test tubes (@ Hobby Lobby)
-aquarium tubing (@Walmart) or vinyl tubing (@Home Depot)
-red and blue litmus paper
-6v battery
-sand paper
-white sticker labels (@ Office Depot, Walmart)
-epoxy putty (@ Walmart, Home Depot)
Tools:
-Pliers
-Glue gun
-Bernzomatic micro-torch [very much recommended and not that expensive] (@ Home Depot)
-Scissors
-Tweezers
-Test Tube Holder
Hardware:
-Homemade alcohol stove Or Camping lamp modified as an alcohol burner @ walmart.
-Distilling Apparatus (I will make a separate instructable for this one).
-Wire Stands
-Wire Test Tube Holder
-A scale for measuring small amounts of substances
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I'm thinking of starting a home lab and i'm really worried about this, especially in a country where there is confusion in who-raids-who, public paranoia with chemicals, lack of test equipment and a faulty judiciary system.
Any tips?
Also, thought i'd mention that I like t use the empty Yankee Candle jars that have lids, or any similar candle jar for chemical storage, etc. My wife goes through 3 or 4 of those candles a month.
also nice instructable ^^
For the reader's reference, here is a link to a pdf of the Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments:
I'm looking forward to the next installment.