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. |