Sciencemadness Discussion Board - Hello & Equipment Questions...

Hello & Equipment Questions...

fieroboom - 10-3-2021 at 17:45

Hey everyone, new to the forum, obviously. I realize this is a very broad question with absolutely no context from which to make a remotely educated assumption, but do you think this would be a decent "get started" distillation set for basic chemistry?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N2P9SKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc...

Lately I've become fascinated & interested in chemistry, & I recently earned a $500 bonus at work in the form of an Amazon gift card, so I'd like to invest in some equipment to get started, but I don't want to overspend, waste, or miss getting something important because I spent too much on a set.

Initially, I wanted to try to get:
- Cheap Hotplate stirrer
- Stir bar(s)
- Couple Beakers
- Couple flasks
- Distillation set
- Sep funnel
- Buchner funnel

I already have a few things, like a vacuum pump, pH paper, regular hotplate, blenders, titanium, MMO, nickel, carbon, & lead electrodes, current & voltage controlled power supply, a few chemicals/precursors I've found interesting, some Pyrex glassware, scales, & maybe a couple other small things I'm forgetting...

I'd greatly appreciate any help & insight you could provide...
Thanks!

B(a)P - 10-3-2021 at 18:42

Hello and welcome to the forum.
In terms of what to buy there are a great number of threads on that in this forum, here are a few relevant to you.
https://www.sciencemadness.org/whisper/viewthread.php?tid=45111#pid364094
https://www.sciencemadness.org/whisper/viewthread.php?tid=82571#pid517086
https://www.sciencemadness.org/whisper/viewthread.php?tid=521#pid4347
https://www.sciencemadness.org/whisper/viewthread.php?tid=71645&page=17

My advice is pick a reaction, a series of reactions or an area of chemistry that you are really interested in, then base your purchases on those.
Think about what PPE will be appropriate for what you are doing and don't skimp on it.
If your voucher allows, I would recommend building up your equipment over time so you get a feel for what you can do with the space you have and what interests you, rather then spending it all at once then finding out there was something else you needed more. (That said, you will always need more glassware/equipment

)

Have fun!

fieroboom - 10-3-2021 at 20:12

Quote: Originally posted by B(a)P

My advice is pick a reaction, a series of reactions or an area of chemistry that you are really interested in, then base your purchases on those.
Think about what PPE will be appropriate for what you are doing and don't skimp on it.

Thanks for your input! I have several projects in mind, but the threads you suggested will be helpful I'm sure.

I'm *VERY* big on safety, & I think way too many people get excited & skip past that part, so I definitely couldn't agree more. One of the first things I put on my list was a respirator/goggle set & full face shield. I've watched so many videos of people doing things like synthesizing Oleum or NO2 without a respirator (not in a fume hood) & it makes me cringe...

Anyway, thanks!

Maurice-VD-3 - 11-3-2021 at 13:14

A scale to ± 0.001 g should be your first buy. And it is expensive.

Texium - 11-3-2021 at 13:49

Quote: Originally posted by Maurice-VD-3

A scale to ± 0.001 g should be your first buy. And it is expensive.

I firmly disagree. I started off with a cheap jeweler's scale that only reads to 0.01 g. I used it for three years, until I got my vintage Mettler balance that reads to 0.0001 g. Then the Metter stopped working. So I've been back to the old crappy jeweler's scale.

Point is, you can do a lot with a cheap scale. You certainly don't need a milligram balance, unless you like to do your chemistry on milligram scale.

j_sum1 - 11-3-2021 at 15:08

Quote: Originally posted by Texium (zts16)

Quote: Originally posted by Maurice-VD-3

A scale to ± 0.001 g should be your first buy. And it is expensive.

Point is, you can do a lot with a cheap scale. You certainly don't need a milligram balance, unless you like to do your chemistry on milligram scale.

I agree 100% with Texium.
I just use the cheap jeweller's scales. And they are just fine for most purposes. Higher precision is not needed unless you are doing analytical work. And that is not something that my lab is geared up for.
Mostly I need to weigh stuff to assure stiochiometric proportionality, or to assure a particular reagent is in excess, or to determine yield. Milligram precision is just not necessary for those functions.

Fyndium - 11-3-2021 at 22:06

I have 15$ eBay 0.001g scale and as much as I try to test it, it always gives constant results, compared to known precise weights. I measured known pharmaceutical fillings with it and it matched the numbers every time.

Gunpowder scales are also supposedly accurate, since an off-reading will cause major issues with accuracy.

The real lab scales with enclosures are of course the best, but they also come with hefty price tag. Even the chinese sell them starting from 600$ and I think this is way overkill for any amateur, considering that the mere reagents are at many instances otc sourced and impure and practically all chemical reactions work with a little off ratios and you will always end with a result that has to be extracted or purified anyway.

If you can't get everything from Amazon, I suggest eBay seller deschem. I've ordered basically all of my stuff from them and have been most satisfied. They even did an import clearance for me through an associate when I ordered a larger package which would have likely been stopped by customs.

Cheap stirplates are.. most likely crap. I've yet to find a decent one. If the stirrer happens to work, the hotplate will be underpowered. In this instance, I would choose heating mantle or invest a little more.

For coolant water, get small(read: the smallest) aquarium water pump and some cheap PU tubing with 8mm ID, cost about 1$/m.

[Edited on 12-3-2021 by Fyndium]

draculic acid69 - 12-3-2021 at 03:27

Definitely get a mantle instead of a hotplate.get one with stirring.and no way will U need a 0.001mg scale. cheap 0.01mg scales will be more than necessary.

Aloesci - 12-3-2021 at 07:25

You might consider getting a Burette and Volumetric flask(s) to determine concentrations of acids and bases by titrations (useful for otc acids and bases). You can get phenolpthalein online really cheap as its used in making bio-diesel.

Also I can speak to not needing anything fancy for coolant water, just a cheap pump, a bucket and maybe some ice cubes.

itsallgoodjames - 12-3-2021 at 07:54

Quote: Originally posted by draculic acid69

Definitely get a mantle instead of a hotplate.get one with stirring.and no way will U need a 0.001mg scale. cheap 0.01mg scales will be more than necessary.

To add to this, get a 0.01g jewelers scale, and also get a kitchen scale. They don't have as good of precision, but if you need to weigh out 500g of something, the 0.01g scale probably won't be able to.

zed - 12-3-2021 at 18:57

I don't like Amazon for equipment. Unless, you can buy through Deschem. I like Deschem.

I like Amazon for reagents though. Decent prices on items like Acetophenone.

I recently bought a used Fisher stir-plate on Ebay. Clean as a whistle, like new, worked like a charm... $40.00, total..... shipping included.

I'm using an old O'Haus triple beam. Might be accurate to 1/10 of a gram. Which is OK for me, because I am a giant, and I'm no good with small quantities.

So.... It sounds like those fancy little digital scales.... Actually work pretty well now? Recommend a brand!

Give us a link!

Oh yeah.... The kit? Not bad. Check around a little bit. 24/40 is good. The flasks seem smallish to me. I'll go look around and come back.

OK, I'm back..... Deschem does have a store on Amazon. Some prices seem a little higher than Ebay prices, possibly because Amazon is squeezing Deschem's Nards.

https://www.amazon.com/s?i=merchant-items&me=AFIF18XYAOV...

Deschem usually discounts shipping, if you buy enough stuff it might actually be free.
Talk to the other guys.... Then, it is up to you.

Like I said, I like Amazon better for reagents. Ebay I like better, for new and used equipment.

[Edited on 13-3-2021 by zed]

[Edited on 13-3-2021 by zed]

fieroboom - 14-3-2021 at 07:56

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions! Since my gift card was Amazon only, I was somewhat limited in choice, but if you're interested in the details, here's what I ordered:

Respirator/Goggle set:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D8TLDXZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc...

Full face shield:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2ZTB7M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc...

Distillation set:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0771F4Z1K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc...

Grad cylinder set:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PDVSL9N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc...

Erlenmeyer Flask set (non ground glass)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FDP82XH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc...

Vacuum filtration set:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07746L24N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc...

Stir bar set:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085VGMHMK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc...

K-Type thermocouple/thermometer:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X75V2R2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc...

Hotplate Stirrer:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078HY1TSF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc...

Support Stands (x2):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B5FFDKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc...

24/40 500mL Erlenmeyer flask:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01892B3EM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc...

RB flask support/stand:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G3XVSEO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc...

I realize some of those are not very high quality & may only last a month, but I just wanted a basic set of gear to get started, & I can add to/upgrade as I go. I put a lot of thought into it, & I believe I've covered most of the basics, so feel free to chime in if you think I missed something major. I've already started a list #2 to purchase as I can, so I can add anything else there.

Thanks!

zed - 17-3-2021 at 07:28

Looks pretty good. Heavier stands would be nice. Some metal Keck Clamps would be very helpful. And, unbelievably helpful are Lab Jacks. The ability to lower your hot-plate, to avoid a boil-over or run-away is a priceless luxury. Extra flexible tubing is nice. Water Aspirator pump is useful.

Over-all, a chemist never has quite enough gear, but you have put together a good basic set-up. Good start.

Lion850 - 17-3-2021 at 10:51

For 90% of what I do (which is very basic - try to make compounds and see which colors they are) I use only beakers, stirring hot plate, and a 6kg electronic scale that reads to 0.1 g. Plus accessories like funnels, filter paper, evaporating dish, test tubes, stands. I do have a range of glassware but the rest are used much less often. A setup to do vacuum filtration is also essential for those reactions that needs it, and a vacuum desiccator for drying some compounds.