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Procrastinium
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Advice for an Australian chemist.
Greetings all!
I am a keen chemistry nerd from Australia, and have been considering setting up a small home laboratory in which to conduct my own experiments. The
experiments I have in mind are fairly innocuous organic and inorganic extractions and syntheses, nothing too toxic or energetic. I have, however,
encountered few references to other Australian amateur chemists. This makes me wonder about the legality of conducting such experiments here. Most of
the procedures I wish to replicate have been conducted by groups in the U.S. or Canada, where I believe regulations are more lax regarding possession
of chemical reagents. Can anyone out there give me some guidance as to the attitude towards amateur chemistry in Australia? Does anyone know what sort
of things/procedures are or are not legal here, of if someone is likely to object if I start ordering glassware and chemicals off the internet? Many
thanks in advance.
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j_sum1
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No time to answer in detail at the moment. But do have a read around these boards and stick around. There are quite a few of us here. Many of us
have had a "friendly" visit fro the police to check on what we are doing and there are occasional issues with some glassware and chems. But the
situation is not dire. It is possible.
These matters have been discussed at length before including best response to various obstacles and best practice for obtaining what is needed. Have
a search and learn the ropes.
Another thing to note is that amateur chemists tend to be pretty supportive of one another and those who frequent these boards have gotten to know one
another quite well. That is a pretty good thing.
Can I ask where you are located? (approximately) There might be someone who lives close.
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diddi
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j_sum serves em wine and cheese when they visit 
glassware is an issue, and there are a lot of banned chems to be careful of also. but it is possible to play outside the circle of incarceration. the
less you advertise and brag to your mates, the better.
Beginning construction of periodic table display
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Tdep
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We need our own subforum!  I always used to think us Aussies were a serious
minority, but I think we're probably the second most represented country here after America?
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j_sum1
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Hey! Don't call me an Aussie. I just live here!
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HeYBrO
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Helps to check the regulations for glassware joint size. 14/23 glass is safe in every state i think. There are heaps of threads just look for
"australia" / "chemistry in australia" etc. Mainly you should be looking at everything specific to your state.
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Chemnerd99
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well, i'm living in Syd
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NedsHead
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Are you using 2 accounts?
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Procrastinium
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Well. I've had a look through the forum and I'm slightly alarmed by the number of people who have had encounters with law enforcement. This is
something I'd really rather avoid, (I don't need the extra stress), so might it be worth talking to someone in LE to find out their views on the
matter?
It seems logical that someone who has made their intentions known to the police is unlikely to be making illegal drugs, but from what people have
said on here, the police's actions can be less than logical.
Does anyone else have experience in talking to the law before they come to have a chat with you?
To answer an earlier question, I'm in Tasmania (even more of a backwater).
Is regulation likely to be any different here compared to Vic or NSW?
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j_sum1
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The police do what they are instructed to do. You might inform them in advance but they would still be obligated to follow up any situations that came
their way. The only exception I think is if you are in a small town and someone in LE actually gets to know you.
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NedsHead
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Good news, according to sciencesupply.com.au there are no regulations on glassware in Tasmania https://sciencesupply.com.au/shop/content/2-legal-notice, if you order glassware from an Australian company you probably won't get a visit, it's
imported glassware that gets flagged
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Procrastinium
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This is a great site, thank you very much for sharing this!
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diddi
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get back over the ditch you traitor
Beginning construction of periodic table display
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diddi
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wow, we have a Taswegian! I did not realise they had internet there yet. great news
Beginning construction of periodic table display
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j_sum1
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[chuckles] ×2
Keep 'em coming diddi.
@ Procrastinium
The attached file is pretty useful too.
It tells you the plan that the police work to and gives lists of watched chems.
Attachment: end user declaration.pdf (242kB)
This file has been downloaded 668 times
[Edited on 11-9-2016 by j_sum1]
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Texium
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I think now we've hit almost every spot on the Australian states punchcard. Before we know it we'll be able to redeem it for a free helping of
vegemite toast.
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j_sum1
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I don't know if we have anyone from Western Australia and I am pretty sure there is no one from Northern Territories. I think there is someone from
ACT -- but I can't remember who.
As an aside, I wonder how many of the US states are represented here.
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Texium
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Hm, off the top of my head, here's the ones I know for sure: Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, Texas, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin,
Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and
Massachusetts. So that's at least 22/50.
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j_sum1
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Hawaii is represented too.
I recall someone from there using MEK substitute (ethyl acetate) to make ethanol - which was restricted locally.
A quick search failed to locate the thread.
Anyway, thanks to me, this thread is waay off topic. Apologies.
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Procrastinium
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We've recently
crawled out from under a rock, it's true. We're so much of a backwater that we're still using Mendeleev's original periodic table.
Thanks for the file j_sum1, this is very useful. The number for the Tasmanian Police's chemical division desk might be a good one to call before I
start ordering glassware.
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j_sum1
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Ahh Tassie. The only place in Oz where the eka-aluminium stays solid.
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NedsHead
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it's great to have an Australian member from Tassie, the extra two heads will be useful around here
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diddi
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I agree, and their glassware is great too. look at this distillation head I found
Beginning construction of periodic table display
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Procrastinium
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I've
had one of them removed and replaced with a ground glass stopper. If I feel like a drink I put it in a pressure-equalised addition funnel and plug it
straight in.
[Edited on 11-9-2016 by Procrastinium]
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HeYBrO
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move this thread to whimsy- its just banter at this stage
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