Difference between revisions of "Woodware"
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===[[Keg]]=== | ===[[Keg]]=== | ||
Useful when storing static-sensitive energetic materials, such as [[black powder]] or [[smokeless powder]], as it offers static-free conditions. | Useful when storing static-sensitive energetic materials, such as [[black powder]] or [[smokeless powder]], as it offers static-free conditions. | ||
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| + | ===[[Lab bench]]=== | ||
| + | The lab workbench is made of wood or veneer, and is coated in a protective paint layer, which resists most reagents. | ||
===Pipette stand=== | ===Pipette stand=== | ||
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Just like the rubber variety, cork stoppers can be used in many solvent bottles, though such stoppers are not compatible with many solvents. | Just like the rubber variety, cork stoppers can be used in many solvent bottles, though such stoppers are not compatible with many solvents. | ||
| − | ===Test tube holder=== | + | ===[[Test tube holder]]=== |
Large clothespin-like clamps, made of wood, can be used to hold hot glass tubes. | Large clothespin-like clamps, made of wood, can be used to hold hot glass tubes. | ||
===[[Test tube rack]]=== | ===[[Test tube rack]]=== | ||
| − | Useful to hold test tubes | + | Useful to hold test tubes and other tubular lab items. |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
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==Other== | ==Other== | ||
Revision as of 20:36, 29 April 2019
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Woodware is a general term for all lab equipment made of wood or other plant derivative material. While not very chemically resistant, wood is commonly used in labs due to its readily availability, low cost and it's easy to work. Coating wood items in a chemically resistant paint will extend their shelf life.
General
Most common wood appliances tend to be tables, drawers, chairs, but also various tube, funnel, flask holders. Common wood types used include fir, cedar, ash, oak, while special wood like cork tends to be used mostly for flask holders or pin boards.
Below there's a list of various wood lab items encountered in the chemistry lab, that are useful for the average amateur chemist. Obviously you will not need them all, but having a few items like racks or furniture can make your life easier.
Important woodware
Cabinet
Wooden cabinets are useful to store reagents. Do not store corrosive or oxidizing agents in them.
Cork ring
Hollow circular cork items, useful for holding round bottom flasks.
Cotton swab
Long thing pieces of wood, with cotton pads at one or both ends. Used in biology.
Drying rack
Similar to the plastic rack, it can be made water and solvent proof by coating it in chemically resistant paint, unless it already was.
Funnel support
Wooden supports, with an open cutaway, which allows for easy manipulating of various funnels.
Keg
Useful when storing static-sensitive energetic materials, such as black powder or smokeless powder, as it offers static-free conditions.
Lab bench
The lab workbench is made of wood or veneer, and is coated in a protective paint layer, which resists most reagents.
Pipette stand
Used to hold pipettes. Exists as two forms: vertical and horizontal. Make sure it's coated in waterproof coating to prevent it from rotting.
Splint
Splints are long and thin strips of wood, similar to chopsticks. They are typically used for lighting Bunsen burners, or in demonstrations to indicate the flammability or oxidizing power of gasses in a flask.
Stopper
Just like the rubber variety, cork stoppers can be used in many solvent bottles, though such stoppers are not compatible with many solvents.
Test tube holder
Large clothespin-like clamps, made of wood, can be used to hold hot glass tubes.
Test tube rack
Useful to hold test tubes and other tubular lab items.
Other
Box
Wooden boxes are useful to store various lab equipment, such as tools, lab metal items, electronics, sometimes even glassware.
Shelf
Shelves can be used to store or display various reagents or crystals, and can be placed either in an accessible place, or in a more discrete area.
Element, compound or mineral collectors tend to display their collections in personalized shelves, in a visible place.
Spatula
Wooden spoons can be used to transfer soft and non-corrosive reagents, especially those that are not hygroscopic. They are good when working with energetic materials, like black powder, construction materials (cement, gypsum), insoluble granular materials (silica gel, molecular sieves, metal powders), etc. Should never be used in microbiology, as they're difficult to properly sterilize. Avoid breaking apart hardened reagent using a wooden item, as it may splinter and contaminate your reagent.
Safety
Wood is flammable and may catch fire if exposed to a flame or high temperature. Wood can be made fire resistant by treating it with borax or other flame retardant products.
As it ages, wood tends to shrink, which will cause it to deform or crack. This can be reduced by treating the wood with certain oils or acetic anhydride. However, this tends to be more of a problem for fine wood items, so treating you wood items may not always be necessary.
