Sourcing Chemicals and Materials - Appendix - Make: The Annotated Build-It-Yourself Science Laboratory (2015)

Make: The Annotated Build-It-Yourself Science Laboratory (2015)

Part IV. Appendix

Appendix A. Sourcing Chemicals and Materials

Where to Buy Chemicals and Other Materials

You may also want to look on our website, http://biyscience.com, for an online list of sources for materials, complete with purchasing links.

General abbreviations used in this appendix:

§ AM—Automotive supply (e.g., Pep Boys, O’Reilly)

§ AS—Art supply store (e.g., Michaels, Blick, cheapjoes.com)

§ CH—Chemical supply house (e.g., Fisher, Sigma-Aldrich, Cole Parmer)

§ CS—Craft store (e.g., Michaels, JoAnn)

§ DS—Drugstore or pharmacy (e.g., CVS, Walgreens)

§ ES—Electronics store (e.g., Newark, Digi-Key)

§ GS—Grocery store (e.g., Safeway, Lucky, Kroger)

§ HB—Homebrewing/Winemaking store (e.g. MoreBeer, Northern Brewer)

§ HC—Hobby chemical store (e.g., Home Science Tools, United Nuclear)

§ HI—Home improvement store (e.g., Lowe’s, Home Depot)

§ HS—Hardware store (e.g., Ace, True Value, OSH)

§ IS—Industrial supply (e.g., McMaster-Carr, Grainger)

§ LS—Laboratory supply (e.g., LabPro)

§ OS—Office supply store (e.g., Staples, Office Depot)

§ SG—Sporting goods store (e.g., REI, Dick’s, Sports Authority)

Abbreviations for specific stores:

§ AMZ—Amazon.com

§ ASC—Arbor Scientific (arborsci.com)

§ HCS—Hobby Chemical Supply
(hobbychemicalsupply.com)

§ HST—Home Science Tools
(hometrainingtools.com)

§ MCM—McMaster-Carr (mcmaster.com)

§ TSC—The Science Company
(sciencecompany.com)

§ UNU—United Nuclear
(unitednuclear.com)

Acetaminophen (pure, as crystals or powder)

AKA Paracetamol. CH.

Acetic acid

GS (as distilled white vinegar).

Acetone

DS or GS (as nail polish remover), CH, HI, HS, IS.

Agar agar

GS. AMZ.

Alcohol

See Note 6 in Appendix E about alcohol. CH, DS, GS, HS.

Alum

May refer to ammonium aluminum sulfate or potassium aluminum sulfate.

Aluminum metal

GS (as aluminum foil), HI, HS, IS. MCM.

Ammonium aluminum sulfate

GS (spice aisle, as alum, for pickling).

Ammonium dichromate

CH, HC. UNU HST, TSC.

Ammonium hydroxide (“household ammonia”)

GS, HS (cleaning section) HST.

Ammonium sulfate

HI or HS (as a fertilizer) AMZ part number: B000BZ4RJY.

Baby bottle (glass)

AMZ part number: B001F50FFO.

Baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate)

GS, HS.

Bamboo skewers

GS, HI or HS (grilling section), kitchen goods store.

Battery, flashlight

“Heavy duty” type, not alkaline, for carbon rods, zinc, and manganese dioxide powder. HS.

Battery, 240-volt photoflash

See Note 29 in Appendix E.

BBs (metal shot)

SG.

Beaker

LS. UNU, AMZ part number: B008VEHLBI.

Bell jar, vacuum

ASC.

Bell wire

HI, HS. Solid conductor insulated wire (as opposed to stranded wire). Commonly found as a bonded pair (zip cord) of two separately insulated solid-core wires, typically 20 to 24 gauge wire. AMZ part number B000UE471O.

Benedict’s solution

CH. HST.

Bicycle pump

SG. Bike store, second-hand store. See also: vacuum pump, bicycle tire pump style.

Blotting paper

See paper, blotting.

Borax (sodium tetraborate)

HS (laundry or cleaning section). AMZ part number: B000R4LONQ.

Boric acid

CH, GS, HI, HS (as an insecticide). UNU, AMZ part number: B001V9WY0S.

Bottle, baby (glass)

AMZ part number: B001F50FFO.

Bottle, dropper

LS, AMZ part number B0081SRRFO.

Bottle stoppers

See stoppers.

Brine shrimp eggs

Pet store.

Broom straw

A filament of plant matter, taken from a household broom that has natural fibers. HI, HS.

Calcium oxide

CH. UNU.

Camphor

Indian grocery stores (as edible camphor). AMZ part number: B000UYIQYI.

Canada balsam

AS, CH.

Carbon rods

Found as welding electrodes (welding supply store). MCM, AMZ. Inside “heavy duty” flashlight batteries. UNU. Thick pencil leads may also be used for light duty applications: AS, CS, DS, OS

Carbon tetrachloride

Not recommended. See Note 21 in Appendix E.

Chrome alum

See chromium potassium sulfate.

Chromium potassium sulfate

CH, HC. TSC, AMZ part number: B001D7NHEA.

Cigar box

CS. AMZ part number: B001767QPS. Alternately, use an empty shoe box or box from a set of chocolates.

Citric acid

GS, HB, HS (canning section). Health food store. AMZ part number: B00EYFKKZC.

Clips electrical (alligator)

ES, AMZ part number: B0002JJU28, Newark part number: 82R5255.

Clothespins

CS, GS, HS.

Coal, bituminous

Small quantities are frequently available on eBay.

Coal, anthracite

AMZ part number: B00845R1AU.

Cobalt chloride

CH, HC. UNU.

Cobalt nitrate

CH.

Compass (directional)

SG. AMZ.

Congo red

CH. Recommended substitute: Eosin Y.

Copper sheet or strip

HC, HI, or HS (roofing section) UNU. US Penny coin (pre-1982).

Copper tubing

HS, HI, IS.

Copper acetate

CH, HC. UNU.

Copper sulfate

CH, HC, HS (as root killer). AMZ part number: B007HU6G22, HST.

Cotton-covered wire

Use any modern insulated wire as a substitute. (Plastic insulation is much more common than cotton.) HI, HS.

Cotton rope

See rope, cotton.

Curtain rod, lockseam

HI, HS. AMZ part number: B007ULEZV2.

Ditto fluid

See Note 3 in Appendix E.

Dark glasses

See welding shade.

Denatured alcohol

See Note 6 in Appendix E about alcohol. CH, DS, GS, HS.

Diffraction grating

Carnival “Rainbow” glasses. HST, AMZ part number: B006ZBISI4.

Dicoumarol

CH.

Duco cement

HI, HS, CS, AS. AMZ part number: B0000A605H.

Duplicator fluid

See Note 3 in Appendix E.

Dropper bottle

See bottle, dropper.

Dry ice

GS.

Ethyl acetate

CH. HST.

Eosin Y

CH. HST, AMZ part number: B00K33JCL2.

Epsom salt (Magnesium sulfate)

DS, HB.

Emery paper (sandpaper)

HI, HS, IS.

Fahnestock clips

AMZ part number: B008C4S31Y Newark part number: 96F9060. Substitute: Shiny (nickel/chrome plated) paper clips or binder clips, OS. Substitute: Alligator clips.

Fehling’s solution

CH.

Ferrous sulfate

Garden supply (as a soil additive). AMZ part number: B00KJL5ZL4.

Filter paper

GS (coffee section), CH, HC. TSC.

Full wave rectifier

See rectifier bridge.

Funnel, plastic

HS, IS, LS, Kitchen Goods store. MCM.

Funnel, metal (steel or aluminum)

HS, LS, IS. MCM.

Gallon jug

HB. AMZ part number B0064O8Z76.

Galvanometer

ES.

Gelatin

GS (use unflavored, unsweetened gelatin), HB.

Glass pane

HI, HS.

Glass tubing

TSC, AMZ part number: B001949476 UNU.

Glass microscope slide

See slide, microscope.

Glasses, dark

See welding shade.

Glue, white (e.g., Elmers, wood glue)

Also known as PVA (Polyvinyl acetate) glue. AS, CS, GS, OS.

Graduated cylinder

HC, LS. TSC, HST, ASC.

Grating, diffraction

See diffraction grating.

Hacksaw blade

HI, HS, IS.

Hemoglobinometer (Tallquist Hemoglobin scale)

Kemtec.

Helium gas

CS or party stores, for balloons.

Hibiscus flower, dried

GS (in herbal tea or spice section).

Hydrated lime

See lime.

Hydrogen peroxide (3%)

DS, GS.

Hydrochloric acid (HCl, muriatic acid)

HB, HI (as cleaner and etchant for concrete), HS (as pH regulator for swimming pools), IS. UNU.

Hydrochloric acid (food grade)

Health food store.

Hypo

See sodium thiosulfate.

Infinite loop

See loop, infinite.

Iodine (solution)

CH. UNU.

Iron filings

CH. ASC, UNU.

Isolation transformer, fused

Electrical supply store. AMZ part number: B00006HPFH, AMZ part number: B000LDLF3M.

Knitting needles, steel

CS. Nickel-plated steel is ideal.

Lath, wood

HI, HS. Lumberyard.

Laundry bluing

GS, HS. Mrs. Stewarts.

Lead metal

SG (as fishing sinkers or lead metal shot). UNU.

LEDs

ES.

Lenses

See Note 24 in Appendix E.

Lime (calcium hydroxide)--not the fruit

HS (canning section, Mexican spices), HI (garden section, as hydrated lime). AMZ part number B0084LZU1Q.

Lime water (saturated solution of calcium hydroxide)

Make lime water by mixing a teaspoon of hydrated lime with one pint of water.

Loop, infinite

See infinite loop.

Lye (sodium hydroxide, historically potassium hydroxide)

CH, HC, HS (as a drain opener). Soap making supply companies. Gourmet food store (as Caustic Soda). HST, Bulk Apothecary, AMZ part number: B001EDBEZM.

Magnesium powder

UNU.

Magnesium ribbon

Rotometals, UNU.

Malic acid

HB. AMZ part number: B0064GZB58.

Magnesium sulfate

See epsom salt.

Manganese dioxide

CH. Can be found in zinc-carbon batteries (see Note 12 in Appendix E). HST.

Manganese sulfate

CH, HI (garden section). AMZ part number: B004RXD1HK.

Masking tape

CS, HI or HS (painting section), OS.

Masonite

AS, HI, HS.

Mason jar

GS, HS.

Measuring spoon set

GS, HS.

Methylene blue

CH. Pet store (aquarium section). AMZ, HST.

Mercurochrome

Neither advised nor available. See Note 18 in Appendix E.

Mercury

Use not advised. See Note 26 and Note 32 in Appendix E. CH. UNU.

Merthiolate

Also known as thiomersal or thimerosal. Use not advised; contains mercury. CH, possibly DS (as antiseptic).

Mercury switch

AMZ part number: B001QG76B8.

Milk of magnesia

DS.

Mothballs/crystals

See naphthalene.

Muriatic acid

See hydrochloric acid.

Nails, finishing

HI, HS.

Naphthalene

Traditional mothballs. See Note 20 in Appendix E. UNU.

Neon bulb

ES. Jameco part number: 210315.

Nichrome wire, 20 AWG (gauge)

Electrical supply store. CS (as replacement wire for hot-wire foam cutter). MCM, UNU.

Nickel sulfate

CH. Available in nickel plating kits. AMZ part number: B00LET73NI.

Nitric acid

CH. Hydroponic supply store. AMZ part number: B002LHW8PA, TSC.

Pancreatin

CH. Veterinary supply. Health food stores (in tablet form with additives).

Paper, blotting (Most commonly, as watercolor paper)

AS, CS, OS.

Papier-mâché (paper mache paste/wheat paste)

HI or HS (wallpaper section). HCS.

Paraffin wax

GS, HS (canning section) MCM.

Pepsin

CH. HST.

Petri dish

LS. HST, TSC, AMZ, UNU.

Phenolphthalein solution

HST, UNU.

Phonograph (AKA record player/turntable)

Second-hand store. AMZ part number: B00AOBHDPA.

Phosphoric acid

CH, HB, HI (as concrete etchant), IS (as cleaner). AMZ

pHydrion paper

CH, LS. TSC.

Polarizing film, linear (AKA Polaroid Filter)

ASC, HST.

Plaster of Paris

AS, HI, HS.

Plastic wrap (clear stretch type)

GS as “Saran Wrap,” plastic cling film.

Potassium alum

See potassium aluminum sulfate.

Potassium aluminum sulfate

DS or GS (in health/beauty, as alum block for razor burn), AS or CS (as alum powder for tanning and dyeing). AMZ part number: B004NEHR28 for Alum block, AMZ part number: B0009IN1FY for Alum powder.

Potassium chromate

CH. HST.

Potassium chromium sulfate

See chromium potassium sulfate.

Potassium dichromate

CH. UNU.

Potassium ferricyanide

CH. UNU.

Potassium hydroxide

CH, CS (for soapmaking, as caustic potash). HST, TSC, UNU, AMZ.

Potassium iodide

CH. UNU.

Potassium nitrate (saltpeter)

CH. UNU.

Potassium permanganate

CH. UNU.

Potassium sodium tartrate

See Rochelle salt.

Potentiometer (50 ohm, 1000 ohm)

ES.

Propane torch

HI, HS, IS.

Radioactive source

See Note 28 in Appendix E. Thoriated tungsten welding electrode: MCM. Uranium ore available from UNU.

Radiometer

AMZ part number: B0007YFJI2, ThinkGeek.

Rectifier bridge (full wave)

Suggested type: GBU8D (see Note 35 in Appendix E for usage). Digi-key part number: GBU8D-ND.

Resistors

ES.

Rochelle salt (potassium sodium tartrate)

CS, AMZ.

Rope, cotton

HI, HS.

Rope, clothesline

See rope, cotton.

Rubber band

OS.

Rubber cement

AS, OS.

Rubber tubing

Used on gravity wash bottle. Typically, latex tubing is the best choice when general purpose “rubber tubing” is specified. Medical supply stores. MCM.

Rubbing alcohol

See Note 6 in Appendix E about alcohol. CH, DS, GS, HS.

Ruler (plastic or wood)

AS, GS, OS.

Saran Wrap

(See plastic wrap.)

Sealing wax

AS. Stationery store.

Shellac

Real shellac may come as flakes that can be dissolved with alcohol. AS, HI.

Shot, metal

SG (as BBs).

Silver bromide

CH. Photographic supply stores.

Silver nitrate

CH. TSC, HST, UNU.

Slide, microscope

LS. Hobby store TSC, HST, UNU.

Soda lime

Medical/veterinary supply. AMZ part number: B00GRPVEL6.

Sodium acetate

CH. UNU.

Sodium bicarbonate

See baking soda.

Sodium bisulfate

CH. UNU.

Sodium bromate

CH.

Sodium carbonate

See washing soda.

Sodium chlorate

CH.

Sodium nitrate

CH. UNU.

Sodium oxalate

CH. HCS.

Sodium silicate

CH. AMZ part number: B0019LVJO0, UNU.

Sodium sulfate

CH. UNU.

Sodium thiosulfate (“hypo” to photographers)

CH. HST, AMZ part number: B00HEYUWVW, UNU.

Solar filter (eclipse viewing film)

See Note 13 in Appendix E. A #14 or darker welding shade, from a welding supply store. Telescope store. AMZ part number B00712I3JA, ASC.

Spectra cord

Kite store. SG (as kite line or fishing line).

Spectrometer

AMZ part number: B00FGARIAO.

Splint (as in “glowing splint”)

GS, HS (as long fireplace matches or wooden coffee stirrers).

Star charts

See Note 22 in Appendix E.

Starch

GS (in laundry or in baking as corn, potato, tapioca, or arrowroot starch).

Steel wool

HI, HS, IS. AMZ, MCM.

Stirring rod, glass

CH, HC. Gourmet kitchen goods store (bartending section). TSC.

Stoppers (bottle stoppers, sizes #1, 3, 6½, 7 solid or with 1-hole or 2-hole)

LS, IS, HB. HST, TSC, AMZ, MCM.

Sulfur

CH, HC. UNU, HST, HCS, TSC.

Sulfuric acid

AM (as battery acid in low concentration), CH, HC, HS (certain drain openers). AMZ part number: B00KAIQI1W, UNU, HST.

Telescope

Note 27 in Appendix E.

Test tubes

CH, HC, LS. TSC, HST, UNU.

Thoriated tungsten

See radioactive source.

Tide chart

Online, http://www.saltwatertides.com for example.

Tire pump

See bicycle pump.

Transformer, filament. Input: 117 V. Output: 6.3 V, at least 0.5 A

ES. eBay. Suggested part: Hammond Mfg part number 166L6 (2 A output). Mouser.com Part number: 546-166L6, Newark part number: 92F1309. Wiring diagram from Hammond.

Turpentine

AS, HS. AMZ part number: B001V9X8ZI.

Uranium glass

UNU, various other internet shops as “Uranium glass marbles.” Sometimes labeled as “Vaseline glass.”

Vacuum gauge

Included with some vacuum pumps. AM, HS (automotive section). AMZ part number: B006K2RIY8 MCM.

Vacuum grease

Vaseline (original 100% petroleum jelly version): DS. Purpose-built vacuum grease (e.g., Dow Corning brand): Scientific supply. AMZ part number: B001UHMNW0.

Vacuum pump, hand operated

AM (as brake bleeding pump). AMZ part number: B00265M9SS.

Vacuum pump, bicycle tire pump style

Build one: page “Vacuum Pump”. AM (as oil extractor pump). AMZ part number: B0000BYO97.

Variac with isolation

Electrical supply store. AMZ part number: B006NGC6HU.

Water glass

See sodium silicate .

Washing soda (Sodium carbonate)

GS, HS (laundry section). AMZ part number: B0029XNTEU.

Weather stripping

HI, HS.

Welding shade

Welding supply store, AMZ.

Wheat paste

See papier-mâché.

Window glass

See glass pane.

Wood glue

See glue, white.

Wright’s stain

CH, HC, LS. HST.

Xylene

CH, HI, or HS (painting section, as a solvent).

Zinc metal

Inner case of “Heavy Duty” flashlight batteries. White metal inside copper coating of post-1982 US penny. HST, UNU.

Zinc sulfate

CH, HC. HST.

Zinc sulfide

CH, HC. Steve Spangler Science, UNU.