Building Your Own Lab Part 3


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Continuing from my last article, I will be discussing ways how to build your own laboratory in your home. Click here if you’re interested in reading part 2. Before I begin, if you’re interested in having a fume hood cupboard installed in your lab, check out the fume hood cupboards to get one installed in your lab. 

Step 2: Obtaining Lab Supplies

Getting Your Equipement

Next, you should get the necessary tools and equipment for your experiments. To begin a lab, you’ll need thermometers, pH sheets, a milligramme scale, hot plates, stir plates, and stir bars. For heated flasks, tools like forceps scoops, and tongs are useful. A small, simple microscope could be useful as well.

Some of these items aren’t inexpensive, but they’re worth the money. You might not receive the outcomes you want if you buy anything cheap. Many of these fundamental supplies are readily available online from companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sigma Aldrich, and even Amazon.

Gathering Your Chemicals 

Moving on, you should collect the necessary chemicals. Grocery stores, hardware stores, lawn and garden stores, and pottery supply stores all stock a variety of chemicals for your lab. Baking soda, soda ash, bleach, acetone, vinegar, and ammonia are all excellent basic chemicals to have on hand. Some substances that aren’t readily available in stores can be manufactured from readily available chemicals. Keep in mind the potency of the substances you’re employing. Before using, read all product labels and material safety data sheets.

Keep A Notebook

The last point for step 2 is to maintain a lab notebook. A good scientist maintains note of everything he or she does. Begin a laboratory journal and record all of your experiments, including the procedure you used, what you expected to happen, what happened, and what you plan to do with the knowledge. Everything should be dated, and your notebook should be kept up to date. You can also use your notebook to keep track of the chemicals you’ve used and when they’re due to expire.

Step 3: Safety First

Safety Gear

Wear the appropriate safety gear. The most crucial component of lab safety is having the right equipment to keep you safe while you work. Wear a lab coat at all times to protect your clothing and skin. When working with chemicals, latex or nitrile gloves should be worn at all times. Goggles that protect both your eyes and your eyes’ sides are also necessary. When working, closed-toe shoes should always be worn. To protect your legs, you should also wear long pants. If your hair is long, tie it back in a ponytail or bun. Lastly but certainly not least, while experimenting, never eat or drink anything.

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Fire Extinguisher 

Keep a fire extinguisher available in case of an emergency. Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby, as well as a functional smoke detector. Ensure that the fire extinguisher is not expired and that it is kept in a convenient position. Purchase a fire extinguisher that can put out ABC or BC fires (can be corrosive to metals, but useful for chemical, electrical, and ordinary burning materials). These are most efficient against chemical flames, but not against powerful alkali (basic) or acid fires. Never use water to dilute a strong acid. It’s going to blow up.