Construction of a steel laboratory spatula.

Introduction.

Laboratory spatulas are useful instrument in any scientific setting. They are an excellent tool for transferring small quantities of reagents, scratching the sides of a flask to induce crystallisation and can be used as a platform for the deflagration of small amounts of pyrotechnic mixtures. Although cheap, finding high quality lab spatulas can, for some, be difficult and often through international sources, which entails shipping rates etc. This report will demonstrate the simplicity of designing and building one's own spatula for minimum costs at home.

Purpose

To built a laboratory spatula with minimum funds.

Materials

- 2 mm steel wire (free)
- butane torch (already had)
- hammer (already had)
- hard steel surface [anvil or bench vice] (already had)
- file(already had)
- sand paper, steel wool and or sanding sponge (already had)
- safety glasses and heavy duty gloves (already had)

Safety considerations

Because steel will be heated to high temperatures, caution must be used when handling the hot material. Keep a burn relief kit nearby and wear safety giggles and heavy duty gloves to protect from burns. Do this in a well ventillated area!

Procedure

1.Measure out about 18.5 cm of the steel wire.


2. Begin heating with the torch until you obtain a cherry red, then begin hammering and flattening out the end of the wire (until roughly ~2 cm has been flattened)

3.A technique known as "hot filing" maybe implemented to shape the spatula. Heat the end and start filling. Use caution. It is useful to thin out the spatula a little at this point.


4.Once the final shape has been achieved, heat the end of the spatula and quench it to harden the tip.


5.Repeat steps 1-4 for the other side with the desired shape.

6.Once hardened, the work up of the spatula may begin. use rough sand paper, then go to a finer grade and finish with a sanding block.


Discussion

The spatula came out with very satisfactory results. The main limitations of the spatula is that it is not stainless steel, hence it is mainly useful for only rough qualitative work and reactions that will not react with iron. It is also important to wash the spatula after every use and to dry it well to prevent corrosion.

Conclusion

The main goal of the procedure was achieved without major complication.

Quote: Originally posted by Magpie

I find that my 3 different shaped ss spatulas are among my most useful lab tools.

Quote: Originally posted by Magpie

I have a 2mm diameter ss welding rod that has proved very handy at times also. I made a spiral in one end to remove packing from a narrow column, and a small loop in the other end for some use I can't now recall. Maybe you could get a friend who does welding to give you a ss welding rod to make ss spatulas.

Quote: Originally posted by Chemosynthesis

Nicely done.

Quote: Originally posted by Pyro

BTW:why rubber gloves when working with hot metal? [Edited on 22-7-2014 by Pyro]

I was doing something else in the lab before and i forgot to take them off... I know, i know, look at me, the hypocrite

Quote: Originally posted by chemrox

Why would you do this? I appreciate tinkering but those rulers are worth a lot more than micro spatulas that you can by all day on ebay.

Quote: Originally posted by HeYBrO

Introduction. Although cheap, finding high quality lab spatulas can, for some, be difficult and often through international sources, which entails shipping rates etc. This report will demonstrate the simplicity of designing and building one's own spatula for minimum costs at home.

Quote: Originally posted by HeYBrO

Keep a burn relief kit nearby and wear safety giggles and heavy duty gloves to protect from burns.

Sometimes I get the safety giggles too

Kidding aside this is a pretty neat idea. Looks like it turned out well! I'd be interested to see how long it lasts before corroding. With careful care and cleaning it should do pretty well.

It sounds like chemrox thought you hammered the ruler into a spatula? It was a metal wire that was used - the ruler was just there to measure, as they usually are.