Thanks for that advice, it's great to hear from someone with experience! Looking forward to giving it a try, now. All the best, Cathal
--- Twitter: @onetruecathal Sent from my beloved Android phone. On 5 Aug 2010 00:10, "WS" <[email protected]> wrote: Hi Cathal, Your concept sounds reasonable. The vacuum connectors and controling the vacuum pressure (if desired) might be the most difficult parts. If you plan to use small (eppi-style) screw cap vials, possibly a SpeedVac type evacuable centrifuge is a good choice. With some luck, you might get one for a few bucks from used lab supplies, on ebay or even your institute's garbage dump. Depending on the solvents (you just have water, I suppose) almost any pump that can be operated in gas ballast mode (ensuring a constant flow of air through the pump to evaporate condensates) should do the trick even without a condenser. You also don't need steel tubing. A re-inforced plastic hose is ok, as long as it does not collapse in the vacuum. You even there may plug in a narrow gauge needle to force gas ballast mode (I have made and used this setup for a home-made tissue culture hood aspirator). Another option (instead of the speed vac) would be a vacuum cupboard, if you happen to salvage one. As minimal solution, just buy an ordinary vacuum exsiccator made from translucent plastic. You even might easily insert some sort of electrical heating foil that's available from terrarium supplies. However, avoid to drill your own holes into the exsiccator for cable ducts etc., rather make use of the existing bores and seal them with plugs and silicon grease. Have fun! Wo _______________________________________________ Methods mailing list [email protected] http://www.bio.net/biomail/listinfo/methods _______________________________________________ Methods mailing list [email protected] http://www.bio.net/biomail/listinfo/methods
