Reddit mentions: The best lab flasks

>[E]very chem lab should have a good number of 150-250 mL glass beakers on hand.

1. After looking up the differences (incl. price) between regular glass and borosilicate glass, when would borosilicate be mandatory?
   
   >Some large size glass test tubes will come in handy, and those are relatively cheap.
   
   
2. What would be considered "large size?"
   
   >Depending on what type of reactions you want to do, you may find it good to have petri dishes handy, either glass or plastic (they'd be good for crystallization experiments, certainly).
   
   
3. How many, and of what size, would be good for starting?
   
   >You should definitely have a few pipettes, either the cheap plastic 3 mL kind, or if you can afford it, nicer glass droppers (Pasteur pipettes are fun to use, albeit fragile and hard to clean).
   
   
4. Are the glass pipettes for strong acids, basis, or organic solvents? Are there any other benefits to glass pipettes?
   
   >You will definitely need a graduated cylinder, maybe a few, in different sizes, glass or plastic (definitely glass if you're planning on working with any strong acids or bases, or using organic solvents).
   
   
5. What sizes should I be looking for? I'm guessing polypropelyne is the preferred plastic type since that has the most available on Amazon. Is this Set of 7 Polypropylene Cylinders sufficient? What size glass cylinder would be the most common for home experiments with strong acids, bases, or organic solvents?
   
   >You will find a scale, accurate to at least a tenth of a gram, to be an invaluable tool.
   
   
6. Could you please recommend a specific scale, or at least a type? I'd like to spend as little as possible without getting a piece of junk. Is there anything available for under $100?
   
   >Some litmus or pH paper will be useful.
   
   
7. Most of these seem to be range limited. I found what appears to be a full range paper or a set of papers that provide full range. Would you recommend either of these?
   
   >Oh, and a thermometer, of course!
   
   
8. I thought this one was simple until I looked it up. What exactly am I looking for here? Infrared Thermometers seem like a good idea because they don't physically contact the sample, but I'd like some guidance with regard to a trusted brand.
   
   >If you want to dispense precise quantities of any liquid, a 25 mL burette will be your best friend, though it's certainly not necessary.
   
   8.a) This one seems relatively straightforward. Finally!
   
   >a volumetric flask, for making precise stock solutions.
   
   
9. Size? I've tentatively added a 100ml and 500ml to my list. Is Karter Scientific considered good quality?
   
   >A few Erlenmeyer flasks, for mixing things.
   
   
10. This set of Erlenmeyer flasks seems like a good place to start. Which sizes do you find yourself needing most often?
    
    >A volumetric pipette, for making equal aliquots.
    
    
11. Wow, these things appear to be quite expensive. What types of home experiments would it be difficult to do without a volumetric pipette? This one will probably wait until the need arises.
    
    >Oh, and if you just want your lab to be that much more mad sciencey, you could have a distillation flask and a few condensation tubes bubbling in the background. If you want to make a significant investment, you could get a magnetic stirring platform, maybe one with good heating powers. Also great for whisking up an egg, or keeping some batter moving while you make pancakes. Pricey, though.
    
    
12. I'll probably stay away from the distillation flasks and condensation tubes until I stumble upon an experiment that requires them, but the magnetic stirring platform looks like a much cooler way to make coffee in the morning. Is this stirrer from Hanna Instruments any good?
    
    
    Thanks a ton for putting together that list!
    
    EDIT: Formatting

Okay so as far as drinks go, check out this recipe for [color changing mad scientist drinks] (http://www.squidoo.com/mad-science-party-drinks)! and of course [these flasks] (http://www.amazon.com/SEOH-Erlenmeyer-Flask-Set-1000ml/dp/B0018OL4A2%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIAA4MWUJXHBYFRNQ%26tag%3Dsquid923629-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0018OL4A2) to prepare/serve them!

[these cupcakes] (http://melissabernal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/sci.png) are also super cool, and if you don't have time to make them I'm sure your local bakery could whip em' up at a fairly inexpensive price. But, in all honesty, they don't look super difficult.

of course everyone needs [safely glasses] (http://www.amazon.com/Safety-Glasses-Intruder-Multi-Color/dp/B002KA00KS/ref=sr_1_9?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1404307076&sr=1-9&keywords=mad+scientist) for this party; and they come in a set of 12! how perfect!

for the walls, or doorways, you could put up this [party biohazard yellow tape] (http://www.amazon.com/Big-Mouth-Toys-Biohazard-Crime/dp/B003PM8ROG/ref=pd_sim_indust_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=16K74JMMCG67PABM8KMC), coupled with this [bloody table cloth] (http://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Party-Zombie-Blood-Tablecover/dp/B00C7Y23CK/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1404307186&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=fake+zombie+blood+stickers) and this [centerpiece] (http://www.amazon.com/Centerpiece-Tableware-Supplies-Halloween-Birthdays/dp/B00EFGP3LG/ref=pd_sim_t_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=0A5R2P4RS07P7GBKM34C) you could absolutely bring a zombie element;

ooo! for fun, you could have a scavenger hunt around the house/yard that's like CDC/zombie themed! If you're good at making up stories you could totally tie it into a mad scientist thing.

"It was the experiment gone horribly wrong".

damn, this is gonna be my next birthday theme.

If you're really into that zombie topper there's a whole line of [plates] (http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Dessert-Paper-Plates-Count/dp/B00E59PN0E/ref=pd_sim_misc_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0YEHM1WREXVDXWYSPS6B) and [cups] (http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Party-Paper-Cups-Count/dp/B00E5ABZ8M/ref=pd_sim_t_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1DJZ21X2W9NGCPMT8520) and [napkins] (http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Party-Paper-Lunch-Napkins/dp/B00E5A9UDE/ref=pd_sim_t_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=18E9JR2R0B0GN70SEKG3) just like it.

ooo and here are some hand-shaped [cupcake picks] (http://www.amazon.com/12-Halloween-Monster-Cupcake-Picks/dp/B005J6RA7Q/ref=pd_sim_t_12?ie=UTF8&refRID=0DQJPRJ2SWGJDN9144KD). I'm clearly getting carried away.

Honestly, it would be super easy to tie zombies and science together. haha. Best of luck! Let me know if you wanna brain storm!

For the contest, this [knife sharpener] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CQTLJM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=187CHN9S4I1LO&coliid=I36GYDHZ9M8GCI&psc=1) would be super cool :)

Try:

1. dealextreme.com / dx.com (same place) or focalprice.com for infrared thermometers (their prices include shipping, and yeah, when you look up iphone cases, you'll be upset if you've ever bought one in NA at a mall stand) - the dealextreme.com place has a ton of electronics stuff, arduino-esque stuff too if you're wanting to get fancy
   
   
2. food-grade vinyl tubing at plastics/marine/hardware store; there are different types so ask until you're comfy with what you pick; if you ask at your local head shop, about the glass ends available for this sorta thing, there are several. For my Arizer (something like that), there are a bunch of glass fittings (compatible with other glass fittings I've seen) -wait, here's a link http://arizer.com/store/8-extreme-vaporizer-parts (I just picked up a $20 kit at my local shop with the whip, glass mouthpiece, Elbow to connect to the cyclone bowl, um...the screens for same...and another glass stirring tool... I believe that the 'connections' of the cyclone bowl, and so on are standard scientific-type connections; if you check out science-supply sources, you can find a range of glass 'bowls' you can use that connect to them; if you're in the US, you can even get them shipped to you cheaply...the nice thing, they're certified to not react, to deal with heat to a certain temperature, etc. and aren't going to melt/gas plastics, etc., when you're using them. This may allow you to heat directly on the glass itself (just drop to the bottom?) - think 'lightbulb vape' but not likely to kill you....
   
   here's an example - http://www.amazon.com/Chemglass-CG-1512-09-1000mL-Single-Evaporating/dp/B005WVRHFS/ref=sr_1_82?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1348542044&sr=1-82
   
   For that, it takes a standard glass connector (I think similar to that found in the Arizer packages) - but you should be able to get one with two holes, if you want (or a 2 way connector than plugs into the top to allow airflow etc. (you could actually put this on top of a cheap hotplate to get it going (scientific ones are $150+, but hell, you just need evenly distributed heat). If you really want to get fancy - check out these: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D318083011&field-keywords=20%2F40+joint&rh=n%3A16310091%2Cn%3A%2116310161%2Cn%3A317970011%2Cn%3A318049011%2Cn%3A318083011%2Ck%3A20%2F40+joint
   
   Anyway, I've not followed through with my plans, but that's some of the stuff I found when I researched it a couple years back.
   
   edit: oh there are also mason jars, of course, which tend to put up with heat fairly well. I did a quick test the other day, just punching two holes in the metal lid, and tossing some pot at the bottom of the jar - I held the base (with the pot) over the edge of my gas stove's flame, and presto, vapor ... I'd do some checking to see how much heat/the limitations for this stuff.
   
   edit2: if you're really temperature picky, invest in a calibrated hotplate - then you'll know exactly what you dial in is what you'll get. Hmm...now I'm wondering if something like this: http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portable-Induction-Countertop-8100MC/dp/B0045QEPYM , with a mason jar sitting on an old cast-iron pan (or does it need to be steel?) may just work...the conductive stovetop heats the pan, which heats the glass (this is where a flat bottomed boilign flask would be best, since the heating would be even), which heats the pot, which you then enjoy :D
   
   edit3: Depending on your 'container/bowl', would a simple flatiron (be it for clothes, hair, or craft (the tiny ~1inch square ones)) be sufficient to heat things up? (without all the noise of a heat gun?) ; you can also look into mesh/fibrous materials that you could heat that don't actually come into contact with your pot - (grab some inexpensive copper wire, roll into small ball with air spaces galore that fits at bottom of your cyclone bowl, attach the ends to a 9v battery and presto - a heat source, not in contact with your pot, that you can suck heated air through (that get's heated) to vape? And yeah, I'm at 7 after experimenting with the bong I just made out of a container for 2kg of Whey protein powder, some spare tubing, and a metal bowl/shaft I had lying around unused. HEll, there's enough room there for a bag of ice, and space to spare, I dont' think I'll use my 'real' bong ever again - this capacity was perfect, and it's so easily cleaned. Tomrorow I'll have to get some silicone to create better seals...thanks for prompting my creative energies tonight.

I didn't start out using flasks but recently ordered some (in three sizes) because my bottles kept overflowing. It made it really easy to mix, then pour into the bottles. Plus they can be heated, so I stuck them on a tart warmer to warm the liquid. They've been handy actually. I got them from Amazon. These are the ones I got: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008VIHFSI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'd say to start, you need lots of bottles! And then look through recipes to decide what you want to make, and order flavors that go with those recipes. You should probably get about five 1 ml syringes, maybe five 3 ml syringes, a larger syringe ( I have a 60 ml syringe which is pretty huge, maybe a 20 ml syringe would be better), pg, vg, nicotine, and then flavors. You don't need to get too fancy to start. But trust me on the bottles - you'll need more than you think you do.

Honestly, Erlenmeyer flasks aren't all that expensive and they're totally reusable! I bought this kit for a Redditor a few months ago and while some came cracked, Amazon refunded me for the broken ones and he said the rest are great!

$30 is a bit high for 12 flasks but he said they're all great and the stoppers fit nicely. And 50mL is perfect for mixing small batches.

Plus, kinda weird, but chicks dig dudes with Erlenmeyer flasks. Not kidding you.

Ok man... here we go I got a plan for you. You should build a time machine and you could go into the future and spend that $50 on some trees when they were available...

The Plan

You need

• 2718 x 72" Hex 303 Stainless Steel, Cold Finished, Annealed (Might just want to get an even 3000 for replacements and such)
  
  
  
• 200m of high voltage, high temp copper cable, silicon coat is ideal
  
  
  
• 7 x 5L Dewer Flasks with welded handles (And source of LN2)
  
  
  
• 32 x Concave Mirrors
  
  
  
• 32 x Optical Glass Lens Set, 50mm (Half Double Convex (20, 30, 50cm FL) and half Double Concave (20, 30, 50cm FL)
  
  
  
• A well stocked home depot
  
  
  
• An envelope
  
  
  

  The Time Machine
  

  
  
  Take the money you have NOW for the trees and place it in an envelope, and put the envelope somewhere safe. You will be taking this envelope into the future with you. Now, take all the other stuff and go build a time machine.
  
  
  One of the two things will happen
  
  
  

• You fail to build the time machine, but when there are trees around and for sale you can go retrieve those $50 from the envelope and buy them. Who needs a time machine when you got green anyways??
  
  
  
• You successfully build a time machine and become the first human to achieve time travel. Who needs trees when you a have a time machine???
  
  
  The way I see it, its a win win.

While I agree with /u/BaggySpandex that additional surface area for air transfer is a benefit, the best part about Erlenmeyer Flasks and a stir plate is you can boil and cool the wort directly in the Erlenmeyer--no need to sanitize a jar, boil in a pot and then cool and transfer. Constant stirring results in more yeast cells and increased vitality.

2L Erlenmeyer flasks are only $19 on Amazon. If you have access to a spare 8v power supply and an old computer, you can built a stir plate with a computer fan, hard drive magnet.

Few recommendations that will save you time and frustration, and ease replication. Understand that you're going to make some mistakes, and some hits while you go through the learning curve.

Get a scale This one comes with calibration weights, so you won't need to buy them separately. Check the sidebar for information on how to measure by weight.

Once you have the scale, get some pipettes that amount to $0.02/ea and can be rinsed and re-used, but for that price, I'd rather not hassle.

Third, get rid of the open beaker(s) and get an Erlenmeyer flask set. Much easier to swish liquid around in, and you don't have to worry about it splashing around when you swirl it (voice of experience). For under $60 you could be set up for repeated success!

Good luck. And I just checked the prices on the stuff I linked, and I'll be damned if everything didn't drop in price by $4-5 on all the items! Get them while they're cheaper.

I work in a shop where sheet metal is readily available, and scrap is ok to use for whatever we want.

A 120v muffin fan came into my possession by means I do not remember. I glued a neodymium magnet from a dead hard drive to the fan, and built an enclosure to which I mounted the fan, and a 120v dimmer switch to control the speed of said fan.

I then purchased stir bars, to stir the starter in a 2 liter Erlenmeyer flask.

I bought a dimmer switch at Home Depot, and I get an amazing turbination in my starters.


The result is an inexpensive alternative to commercially available stir plates.

Paid $45.00 for the flask, $7.00 for the switch, maybe $9.00 for the stir bars, but the satisfaction of seeing the thing work, and work well, was so validating and fun to do!

Well its pretty simple, finding the materials is the difficult part.

First off you would want a diamond drill bit, 18 mm is what i used: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-Diamond-Tile-Glass-Hole-Saw-Drill-Bits-18MM-/170891329634?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c9eac062

Secondly You would need a scientific boiling flask, usually expensive, but i found nice prices on amazon! This is what i would use now if i knew about the length of the neck previously: http://www.amazon.com/213L15-Karter-Scientific-Florence-Boiling/dp/B006VYY49C/ref=pd_sbs_indust_2

Thirdly Downstems are a must! http://www.ebay.com/itm/200960416812?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

And the grommet(black rubber thing between down stem and boiling flask)you should be able to find one that fits your hole size at a local hardware store such as osh, lowes, or home depot.

The rest of the stuff such as bowl or ash catchers you might want to check on ebay or a local head shop for prices :)

I agree with /u/notsweetenough that a 2L flask is way too big. If you a variety of other items at the table, you can get away with 250mL or 500mL flasks.

One issue I can see is that real lab ware can be pretty pricey. The first inspo photo you posted (which I love!) could easily be over $100 in lab ware alone. There are some sets on Amazon that are affordable-ish. If you want a mix-and-match thing going on, you could get this set. I would envision the larger 1L and 500mL flasks filled with fairy lights, and the smaller flasks with flowers in them. To save on costs, I would split them between two tables (with the 1L + 250mL on one table and the 500mL, 150mL, and 50mL on another). Likewise, there are equivalent beaker sets if you want to mix-and-match flasks and beakers.

If you wanted a more uniform theme, like in your second inspo photo, something like these 250mL Erlenmeyer flasks might work.

If it were me, I would probably go with mix-and-match sized flasks and beakers, with the largest ones holding the lights and smaller ones with flowers. I'd also have a separate table number with whatever science-y reference you want (plant, animal, elements, etc.). If the two candles didn't feel like they were enough, I would add on some 50mL beakers as bud vase, or colored wired balls (like in inspo #2), or fake succulents.

Amazon has really good customer service, just ask for your money back, and you will get it. I once was sold fake Wusthof by one of their 3rd party shops and was pretty upset seeing how I paid north of $400 for them. They refunded the money right away, gave me a gift card for my troubles, and paid for shipping. It took all of 10 minutes to get my money back.

There are Many different types of products on Amazon; Made and sold by Amazon, fulfilled by Amazon by their Prime service, and sold on Amazon. The last option for example ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BLKL4W/ ) is on Amazon but sold and shipped by "Ships from and sold by Scientific Strategies." Amazon tries to control when these 3rd party companies pull fast ones, but it can happen. A lot of times, these companies will get black-listed for doing what they did to you. It sucks you got a shitty product, Amazon's should take care of you, no questions asked.

Source; Happy Amazon customer for 7+ years.

My body type is Erlenmeyer flask and let me tell you, it is extremely difficult to find clothes that fit when you have size 15 feet, huge cankles, and size 20AAAA boobs. So glad wide leg pants are coming back in because they’re perfect for my inverted ice cream cone legs 😍

My brother made it for me, I’ll have to ask him to be sure but I’m pretty sure amazon.

EDIT: yup, amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X2LWXG4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I would think not. If you have a Radio Shack near you that hasn't gone out of business yet, you can get:

• 80mm PC Case fan $4.99
  
• Flip Switch $0.79
  
• Red LED 2-pack $0.40
  
• 1M-Ohm Potentiometer $2.79
  
• 2-pack Rare Earth Magnets $0.90
  
• 9V battery snap connector $1.20
  
  So far we're at $11.07. Then you need a stirrer bar($5.45) and an erlenmeyer flask($15.30).
  
  You'll also hopefully have some wire and a soldering iron (and solder). Grand total of $31.82. After that, have fun!

Thanks to /u/itsme_timd for this tip! The post in that link helps support hbf. Thanks in advance should you choose to use it. If not here

Outside of basic equipment like pots, fermenters and chillers, the 2 most impactful things that will make his beer better are the following:

1. The ability to control the temperature of his fermenting beer. So, if you can get a cheapo chest freezer to put in the basement (if you have a basement) and a cheap temp contoller (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015E2UFGM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). You can find a new chest freezer for around $150 or even less if you search craigslist.
   
   
2. Pitching the proper amount of yeast. You can get him a 2 L flask (https://www.amazon.com/PYREX-Narrow-Mouth-Erlenmeyer-Flasks/dp/B004XR5W5E/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1488125537&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=2+l+flask+erlenmeyer) and a stir plate.... I think these are cool (http://craftstirplates.com). He'd need a stir bar too.
   
   

I got my erlenmeyer flask on Amazon. I strongly encourage the actual Pyrex brand, I have an off-brand 1L flask and bought a Pyrex 2L flask, the quality difference is pretty staggering.

Here's the one I bought.

So I started with the Yama, but thought it would be a fun project to try to make something from scratch. Had to turn to chem glassware, which is a little pricey but I think looks cool. I used a separatory funnel, Buchner funnel, and Florence flask.

Glassware ended up costing about $83, and I used the ring stand we had in the science lab at school.

Buy the correct flask and you will have less problems.
https://www.amazon.com/Pyrex-Reusable-Borosilicate-Non-Sterile-Erlenmeyer/dp/B009NWHDG0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480522665&sr=8-1&keywords=glass+straight+neck+culture+flask
The steel caps are great, but you can be cheap and use aluminum foil.

Personally I use screw cap culture flasks, but only because this lets me grow up a batch of yeast at home and easily transport them to a friends to brew.

In this case I would take it off the stir plate and use a sanitized funnel to transfer the whole starter into a sanitized growler. Stick the growler in the fridge and reclaim your flask for the next starter.

I bought this flask and it has served me well. I highly recommend it (& free shipping to boot).

I'm building a 4 station stir plate using a PC fan controller. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074BQ4K77/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0X1LDbA9JG433

I'll post pictures on this sub when it's finished.

Here's a link for an Erlenmeyer Flask (2000 ml) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074DB1S5H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_E21LDb4MTW30A

Here's 3 Piece Airlock With Silicone Grommet, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KLXXLLN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_x31LDb4YR7YA6

This is the best sanitizer for fermenting food and beer. San Sanitizer (32 oz) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FA86OVG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_F41LDbEJ7APQ7

Thanks! Someone else has recommended filtration and I think that something like that plus your Pectinex suggestion would do it.

> How does the Buchner Filter work?

Here is an example. It is a flask, with a stopper and funnel on top. You put filter paper in the funnel, and attach the vacuum pump to the nozzle on the side of the flask. This allows you to pull a vacuum in the flask, pulling whatever is in the funnel through the paper.

It will work to clarify your spirits (mostly), it is what I use in conjunction with cold crashing and decanting. Just stick your spirit in the freezer for a few days/week and the cloudy proteins will settle out to the bottom. Then just draw off the top clear liquid. Then use the funnel to polish it off if you need to.

Here's the link.

This is a pretty good price.

Honestly Amazon might be your best bet. Here's a listing hold 250ml (plus more in the neck area) and are $7 a piece. They're made of plastic, not sure if it's food-safe stuff, but I will say I didn't find them until I searched for "erlenmeyer toy" instead of just "erlenmeyer" so maybe look into it before getting them/using them to serve.

Or there's this listing which is 12 erlenmeyer's same size, for 46 which works out to just under $4 per flask. So if you want 6 or less, the first ones will cost you slightly less. This gives you some extras, and they're made of glass instead of plastic.

I took a look through Michael's website since a few people mentioned it, but I couldn't find anything there in the erlenmeyer style, only the graduated cylinder style.

Syringe filters seem very impractical. I've used them in an analytical lab and they clog easily. When dealing with a lot of fat/lipids I don't think they would work well.

Vacuum assisted filtration with scientific filter papers work best.
When selecting a pump, you need to consider getting one that can handle solvents or add a coldtrap to extend pump lifetime. Here's a link to a complete set.

If you don't have very much product and are not interested in spending the money, you can try a hand pump. I've never used one but found it through a quick amazon search.

This was from DL:

You guys convinced me to home brew. Especially after I just did some math on what my latest $2k purchase would get me.

Putting together the list, will be refining as I learn more.

• [Autoclave](http://www.amazon.com/Prestige-Classic-Electric-Autoclave- Sterilizer/dp/B002AR0NUI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hpc_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0E5AJ7PQ2CHM1083QMPT) -- $899
  
• 2 x Autoclave Gasket -- $120
  
• Hormone powder
  
• Filtered Cottonseed USP Oil 4 Liter -- $255
  
• Benzyl Benzoate USP 1 Liter -- $60.75
  
• Benzyl Alcohol USP 1 Liter -- $45
  
• 3ml TERUMO Luer Lock Syringe w/o Needle (Qty. 50) -- $8
  
• 1 x 10ml EXEL Luer Lock Syringe w/o Needle (Qty. 50) -- $15.25
  
• 5 x B-D 25g x 1.5' (Qty. 10) -- $11
  
• 5 x B-D Needles 18g 1.5 (Qty 10) -- $11
  
• Alcohol prep pads/wipes
  
• Accurate scale to hundredths place
  
• Calibration weight
  
• 2 x Corning Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Graduated Low Form Griffin Beaker Set, 50ml, 100ml, 250ml -- $29.90
  
• 4 x PYREX Griffin Low Form 400mL Beaker Graduated Ea -- $34
  
• 4 x Beaker - PYREX GLASS 10ml -- $22.72
  
• 2 x SEOH Class A Volumetric Flask Borosilicate Glass 250ML -- $29.90
  
• 2 x Beaker Filters -- 150ml Nalgene MF75 Bottle Top Filter - 33mm neck (Qty. 12) -- $145
  
• Vacuum Pump -- 1.5 CFM Portable -- $275
  
• Melting Point Checker
  
• Sterile .20um syringe filter (For Tren) -- $162.88
  
• Crimper
  
• Vials
  
• Caps
  
• Glass stir rod
  
• Agar plates
  
• Latex gloves
  
• Alconox Detergent Cleaning Concentrate 4 lb. Container -- $30.30
  
• Scilogex 86143101 Model MS-H280-Pro BlueSpin LED Circular-Top Digital Magnetic Hotplate Stirrer with Ceramic Coated Plate, 100/240V -- $200
  
• 2 x Bel-Art Scienceware 371100138 PTFE Octagon Spinbar Magnetic Stirrer Bar, with Integral Pivot Ring, White, 1" Length, 3/8" Diameter -- $13
  
• 3 x jugs isopropyl alcohol
  
• Propolyene Gylcol 300
  
• Lockable Medical Storage Box -- $44.50
  
• Horizontal Laminar Flow Hood 48" x 24" -- $1,900
  
  
  Which Bottle Top Filter?
  ---------------------------------
  
• Millipore Hydrophilic PVDF Stericup-GV Bottletop Filter Unit, Radio-Sterilized, 0.22µm Pore Size -- $225
  
  Or
  
  
• 2 x Beaker Filters -- 150ml Nalgene MF75 Bottle Top Filter - 33mm neck (Qty. 12) -- $145
  
  
  Which Pipettor?
  ---------------------------------
  
• VWR Ergonomic High-Performance Pipettor -- $267.02
  
  or
  
  
• BRAND seripettor* pro Bottletop Dispenser - 1-10 mL -- #296.30
  
  Money is not an object. I'm not the type to do things cheaply or in a half-assed way. Lets set up the dream home brew lab now. I'll post pictures.
  
  What to buy?
  
  

Have you considered an Erlenmeyer flask? I bought several of these $12, made by Pyrex and dishwasher safe.

https://www.amazon.com/PYREX-Narrow-Mouth-Erlenmeyer-Flasks/dp/B004XR5VMI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478888519&sr=8-1&keywords=erlenmeyer+flask+1000ml

For those of you whom would like to make one of your own you can purchase the magnetic stirrer hot plate here ($210), and the Pyrex Erlenmeyer Flask here ($15.95)! Total investment cost: $225.95.

Alternatively you can purchase this magnetic stirrer hot plate for significantly less, bringing the total cost down to $175.90.

same price, much better looks, plus allows for swirling/shaking without spilling here

Have to use an Erlenmeyer Flask, much better distance.

I have a Pyrex 2L flask (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XR5W5E) looking to upgrade for larger starters. Mind if I ask what you're using for the 3L starters and if you would recommend it?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005QDP82Q/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered that one along with a computer fan, stir bar had some magnets and built a stir plate in an old cigar box. Works like a champ. No Prime on the Flask though so that part sucked.

If you will allow me a little tangent in the direction of /r/wine, then this one (warning: Amazon link, in case you don't want it in your history) works well as a wine decanter. It's large enough for a magnum, but wide enough for aerating a 750mL bottle, which is why I prefer it for the regular sized bottles.

Like /u/suburbdad I weigh the DME in the flask, drop in the stir bar, then add tap water to volume in my 2L Erlenmeyer flask (German Pyrex). Adding the water that way gives me the chance to rinse the sticky DME that always falls to the wrong place!

I then put the flask directly on the gas stove and bring it to a boil. This process sanitizes everything involved and even does a quick hot break on the DME.

From there it goes into a bowl of ice in the kitchen sink (with sanitized foil on top) where it sits and melts the ice.

20 minutes later it's ready to spin with yeast.

It's an Erlenmeyer flask. Here is one on amazon.

You want lab grade borosilicate.

https://www.amazon.com/Flask-ERLENMEYER-NARROW-MOUTH-PYREX/dp/B001BLKL4W/

get the vinturi and any glass vessel of your choice. I have a number of them, but these two get the most use:

http://www.amazon.com/Riedel-1440-13-Cabernet-Decanter/dp/B0000DC0XG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1462385732&sr=8-2&keywords=riedel+ultra+wine+decanter

http://www.amazon.com/PYREX-Narrow-Mouth-Erlenmeyer-Flasks/dp/B004XR5VMI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1462385775&sr=8-7&keywords=erlenmeyer+flask

It's basically these four items, seperator funnel, glass funnel, erlenmeyer flask, and a stand. Although I don't know exactly what stand they're using in this particular setup (whether it was purchased in a set (although it does look awfully familiar)), it's not too difficult to reproduce.

You don't actually need a dark room, it's a common misconception. You only need that if you plan to use an enlarger and make your own prints. I don't, but only due to lack of space in my apartment - I scan them in and order prints at Costco or Bartells like any normal digital scan.

If you get one of the Paterson Reel tanks like I have in that photo, you just need a changing bag. Put your 1-2 rolls of film, a bottle opener, a pair of scissors, and all the tank pieces in the bag. Seal it up, pop open the film canister with the bottle opener, then spool the film onto the reels. Put both reels back in the tank and seal it up. Everything else can be done in daylight. (you can skip the bag and do this in a pitch black room like your bathroom or a closet if you want. I prefer the bag- I can sit on the couch and watch TV while I spool rolls).

Then you're just dumping in chemicals on a timed schedule and then unspooling and hanging them to dry when complete. B&W is roughly 13 minutes a batch at diluted 1+1, or 6 minutes at stock (full strength) solution. Stock just uses it up twice as fast, but saves time.

B&W = developer (12-15 minutes for most films at 1+1 - check the massive dev chart -> stop bath (1 minute) -> fixer (1 minute) -> rinse (2-3 minutes) -> hang to dry (2ish hours or until totally dry).

Color = developer (6ish minutes) -> blix (2-3 minutes) -> rinse (2-3 minutes) -> stabilizer (1 minute) -> hang to dry (2ish hours).

I'm pulling those numbers from memory, but the unicolor kit has a good guide with it.

Stuff you need

• D-76 developer (black and white)
  
• Stop bath (black and white)
  
• Fixer (black and white)
  
• C-41 developer kit (color)
  
• Changing bag
  
• 500ml beaker (at least 1, up to 3 for convenience)
  
• 1L beaker (at least 1, up to 3 for convenience)
  
• .5L plastic bottles (At least 6)
  
• Scissors
  
• Bottle opener
  
• Funnel (optional, if you have steady pouring hands)
  
• Paterson Reel tank
  
• Glass thermometer (optional for B&W, necessary for color)
  
• Clothespins/some string or paracord to hang film to dry
  
• A bucket (5G or so- small cleaning bucket - Color only)
  
  For B&W film - you use the 1+1 developer one time (150ml per roll of film) and dump it when you finish. Which means that 1L D-76 pouch gives you 6 rolls of film. I buy mine in the 1G bags to mix up as they're cheaper, but you need a 1G plastic bottle to store it. For color film that kit does 8-9 rolls of film. The bigger 1G kits are more expensive and you can also buy the chemicals separately. Color is picky because you need to keep it at a constant 103F the whole time or risk ruining them, hence the bucket (or a bathtub). Color developer and all other chemicals you dump back into bottles and re-use until it's used up.
  
  The color film process is actually really well documented in the booklet that comes with the unicolor kit.
  
  If you ever want a hands on trial, I can do a video of the process or a demo at my apartment (my fiance thinks it looks like I'm doing crazy mad science stuff every time)
  
  Check out /r/analog for weekly advice threads or some of these helpful links:
  
  
• Color development
  
• B&W development
  
• Massive Dev chart for B&W

I have this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006UKI8XK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And haven't had issues with it throwing my stir bar

I usually use a 1L or 2L [Erlenmeyer flask] (https://www.amazon.com/PYREX-Narrow-Mouth-Erlenmeyer-Flasks/dp/B004XR5W5E/ref=sr_1_2?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1496999961&sr=1-2&keywords=erlenmeyer+flask+2l)

This is the one i got. i thought it was a 1000ml flask but when i got it it was 2000ml.

You’re looking at the bottom of a round bottom flask as seen here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006VYY49C/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_t1_PLZDCbRA8J9V2

Take it to the next level with these bad boys. A 1L flask is light enough to weigh your flavors into without other ingredients, and big enough to easily swirl/mix 500ml.

Here it is:

• 1" Stir Bar
  
• Computer fan with speed controller
  
• Rare earth magnets
  
  
  (optional) Erlenmeyer flask
  
  I used a spare project box I had for the container, but a cigar box etc would work. If you want a more detailed description of the actual process let me know. I also used a spare 9v dc adapter I had lying around. Even the fan and earth magnets can be found in an old computer tower, knocking your price down to a whoppin' $5.45 for the stir bar.

Get a erlenmeyer flask to make yeast starters. Spend the little bit extra and get a 2000ml flask made by Pyrex.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XR5W5E/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M3T1_SC_3p_dp_1

Also get Fermcap-S. Boilovers suck

I guess I should share this pro tip, which I came up with while lamenting a broken decanter when I was opening a bottle of Monte Bello for the S5 finale of Breaking Bad:

http://www.amazon.com/PYREX-Narrow-Mouth-Erlenmeyer-Flasks/dp/B004XR5W5E/ref=pd_sim_sbs_indust_1

$25, nearly indestructible, dishwasher safe and I got 2 for less than the price of a new Reidel.