An Inexpensive Shaking Water Bath Thermostctted shaking water baths are of great value in biochemical, microbiological and some chemical experiments. Unfortunately they cost about three times as much ss s normal thermostated water bath. We have found that avery satisfactory shs?xingwater bathfor test tubes or boiling tubes can he produced by utilizing avibratory mixer of the type designed t o give rapid vortex mixing in test tubes. Tbe"Whir1imixer" (Fisons Scientific Apparatus Ltd., Loughborough, Leicestershire, England) was used in our apparatus hut similar equipment may be available from olher local manufacturers. A metal test tube or boiling tube rack w55 placed in a, normal nonshaking thermostated water bath and one end anchored by rubber bands t o one or two rigidly fixed clamps at the side of the bath. The other end of the rack was connected to the mixer by a. band of string running from the vibrating rubber cap on top of the mixer to one of the end holes in the rack. The mixer stood on a. block outside the water. bath. I t is relatively simple to construct a rack suitable for small flasks or beakers t o extend the utility of the apparatus. The mixers are inexpensive, their price being about 10% of the price of a commercial shaking water bath. SCHOOL OF BIOLOGY POLYTECHNIC CITYOF LEICESTER P. 0. Box 143 LEICESTER, LElQBH, ENQLAND
F. D E W H ~ R ~ T K. L. GREEN
Volume
49, Number 70, October 1972
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701
