I Like Dots
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Thinking about buying some glassware.. advice for a beginner?
I was looking for some glassware, I feel like I am limiting myself without proper equipment. You know, just simple distillation stuff, maybe a vigreux
column also.
Also on my wishlist is a soxhlet extractor 
I was looking on Ebay/amazon for some kits and I found this
"Advanced Organic" kit by SGV
I feel it might be a good deal because its a "kit", or they might just be praying on ignorant people like myself.
Thoughts on SGV scientific? Is it a good price?
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mr.crow
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The Synthware looks like a great quality kit! Good price too, this stuff is expensive.
Once you get that just keep buying random crap that comes up on ebay, or ask Dr.Bob here if he has anything.
Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble
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Funkerman23
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let me preface this with this is only MY opinion. I could be as wrong as the next guy but from my stand point there are some things amiss here. Notice
that you get one liebig condenser here versus the West & Liebig condensers you see in the "standard" organic kit. this kit has two different
distillation 3 way adapters one having a thermometer bushing. a bit limiting as you don't have a bleed tube included and you could only use it ,
assuming you made or had one at hand,with the bushing topped 3 way adapter.the same with the thermometer: no way to use it other than the bushing
topped 3 way adapter. the sep funnel uses a glass stopcock and does not have a drip tip bottom. A glass stopcock isn't a bad thing by any means and
has it's advantages but they require lubrication and can freeze.This stopcock also lacks, from the photos, a way to keep the plug in.Usually you'd see
a nut or a spring assembly there to keep the stopcock together. SGV is a ( supposedly ) US maker of glass and for many people that is a big plus. I
myself would prefer US or German made glass but so far my Laboy glass has performed rather well.Mind you it's Chinese and short of Laboy, Synthware
and Expediaglass, I am very leery of Chinese made lab glass.But this kit does not look ideal for a beginner kit, it is certainly usable but a bit
limiting. I second Mr Crow, a organic kit from Synthware is very good but as you are starting your collection I'd recommend this http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Organic-Chemistry-Lab-Glassware-... or this http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Organic-chemistry-lab-glassware-... for a starter kit. UGT , a good US maker offers this http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-24-40-Premium-Organic-Chemistry-... but it is a bit more expensive.
[Edited on 7-5-2013 by Funkerman23]
[Edited on 7-5-2013 by Funkerman23]
" the Modern Chemist is inundated with literature"-Unknown
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I Like Dots
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Funkerman I have to say I like the first kit you posted. I can see how the glass petcock could be a real pain if it sticks!
Do you think a packed column is better than a Vigreux column for fractional distillation?
*Also, What is a bleed tube used for?
[Edited on 7-5-2013 by I Like Dots]
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Funkerman23
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well.. that depends on what you are trying to distill. Vigreux & packed columns are used for different separations. if the desired product(s) are
very similar in boiling point a packed column would be better but a vigreux is simpler to install and won't flood as easily as a packed column.Packed
columns separate better but are slower while vigreux columns are more forgiving if you push a distillation harder. In the kits linked the thicker
condenser is a liebig condenser but near the male joint you'll notice it has bumps protruding to the inside of the tubing.This is intentionally put
there to hold the packing media, as this would be what you would use as a fractionating column in the kit,as well as a condenser. Glass beads,coils
or even copper/steel wool are examples of media that can be put into this to help separate your fractions. little things like that allow more uses for
the glass you have. A "bleed tube" is a glass tube that has had one end drawn to a fine point and is used to help the boiling liquid vaporize by
disturbing the surface with bubbles. Usually a slight vacuum is used to draw air in. You would use this if you didn't have boiling stones or a
magnetic stirrer & stirbar available. You could also use it if that is what you want even if you have those things: options are always good in
the lab. I recommended those types of kits as they give the beginner or the user many different options& possible setups to start. It also allows
you to build your collection while having the basic needs met. Be aware though: on that synthware kit the thermometer/ inlet adapter uses a rubber
fitting. this is good to start but be careful when working with more reactive chemicals and may not hold as well under s strong vacuum. The laboy kit
uses a screw top & viton o ring to secure the thermometer/ bleed tube. both have their advantages & disadvantages. Quote: Originally posted by I Like Dots  | Funkerman I have to say I like the first kit you posted. I can see how the glass petcock could be a real pain if it sticks!
Do you think a packed column is better than a Vigreux column for fractional distillation?
*Also, What is a bleed tube used for?
[Edited on 7-5-2013 by I Like Dots] |
" the Modern Chemist is inundated with literature"-Unknown
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paw_20
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just a side note, it looks to me as though the bleed tube from those kits won't reach the bottom of the flask if used with a fractionating column.
Also make sure if you do use the bleed tube to set up an extra adapter to measure vapor temp so you can be sure of your fractions.
Personally I'd like another neck or a therm well on the flask to assist in controlling the distillation, but you can get those sorts of flask easily
enough off ebay and add them to your set-up
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BobD1001
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I ordered the distillation kit from Laboyglass, which I recently found out through this forum is re-branded Synthware. It really is high quality
glassware. Having said that, I do wish I spent the little extra to get the Synthware organic chem kit as listed in the earlier post by Funkerman since
it came with many more parts than the Laboy kit for only about $10 more than I paid with shipping.
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