Australia's Science Forum

Macca ,
If you are going to throw them out , post them to me . They are safe to send through the mail .

We got the 10ul ones from Southern Bio too . They have the dual action . Push and release to draw up sample push and extra push to release sample . Now you might think how hard can it be to use a micro pipette? Despite demonstrating to students multiple times about how to load and dispense sample , ...

I used our Microwave ( which was the HTs old one from home ) to make Agar plates after learning about it from another Labbie at a Collegial meeting . It certainly boils agar very well and if you aren’t quick on the button , it sure does make one hell of a mess . I have do doubt it would work as a st...

Always remember that pressure cookers are sold in shops where idiots can buy them . They have to be made idiot proof and safe or we would be hearing reports on the news of people being killed or badly burned by them . Depending on the size if them , you’ll be lucky to fit more than about 25 plates i...

We tried the flint lighters for lighting Oxy torches but there was no way the kids , especially the younger nes could handle them . One of our teachers tried cigarette lighters and they were very successful . Only two went into the class room each prac . We gave up on little matches and now use the ...

When I first started , I was told by my off sider to store them in the fume hood until the GA lit a fire to burn off excess green waste then bring them over and chuck’m on the bonefire . I knew no better but after about 6-9months I was asking when was the bonefire ment to happen . Discovered that th...

elaruu wrote: ↑25 May 2023, 09:52 Hmmm. He says it is an essential part of the curriculum.....

I’d say he’s talking out is bottom.

Is all of them or just one or two ? Sounds like you have done pretty much all you can . If they are the ones with Teflon tips , I’m thinking the tip is damaged . You could try slicing a small bit off the end as parallel as you can with a Stanley knife . Failing that , the round filing cabinet might ...

Yes I would always recommend having a spark gap set to the widest setting where it will still arc consistently while using anything connected to an induction coil . If the device connected requires less voltage then the spark will stop . That is OK .

I got one of these power supplies for ours . https://www.chemtalk.com.au/viewtopic.php?p=48804#p48804 I was looking at your holder and it reminded me . We got one of those in our set of tubes from serrata ( MTA) . Teacher whinged that all the tubes were glowing . She was kinda right . If the probe w...

Annette , care to throw up a picture of the induction coil and even the tubes

LOL , I’m playing house husband until I can find a job .
Still pop in when I can .Miss the job and the forum .

Edit : one less step in the process , but also reduces risk as no Sodium Hydroxide needed . ….. although Sodium Silicate is Corrosive anyway . Hmmm ,this just reminds me . Our retired Chem teacher left a gas jar full of Chemical garden in his display cabinet in his class room. He knew what it was ,a...

Whenever we did it,we just used Sodium Silicate solution that was in the Chem store .IIRC ,ours come from Silform .

I've been told it will not give off any fumes. Then there should be no problems then …… other than who has to clean to saucepans :o Most milk bottles are HDPE . It melts around 120°C Apparently HDPE shouldn’t produce toxic fumes even when burned . So a bit of melting should be fine . Whats the purp...

Metho is fine Rosalie . Trick is getting the right distance between the spirit burner flame and the star . Blocks of wood etc work but are a pain . We ended up getting some adjustable jacks to lift the burners up under the tripods . You can buy them from usual suppliers for about $70 .-$100 each . I...

Sounds like there is a break in one of the electrodes Rosalie . When its working , there should be a fury of bubbles coming off each electrode . It looks like fizzy drink . Can you check the continuity between the platinum and the bare copper wire on both .A multimeter or simply a light bulb and a p...

My glasses , when I put them down some where

mtg wrote: ↑14 Mar 2023, 10:33 I have a stack of copper reduction tubes, never used in my life time, they are a glass tube, roughly 11mm in diameter, with a bubble (sort of) in the middle, about 30mm wide, 180mm long all up.

Any chance of a pic mtg ?

Kathryn I'm also in the market for another one but agree that all the plastic junk available from our regular suppliers wouldn't last five seconds with our lot . We have an old Lufkin one and it's still going . Have found them available from Total tools and other big tool shops .Not the cheapest @ $...