A PORTABLE LABORATORY for the MICROSCOPIST E
GARRY WEINGARTEN' Marshall College, Huntington, West Virginia
T
HE accompanying photographs illustrate a laboratory made by the author over two years ago in order that he could perform microchemical qualitative analysis a t home or in the field. The "lab" was made so that it would be both portable and compact. Such a "lab" is ideal for the amateur chemist or hobbyist who is interested in micro-qualitative analysis. The arrangement and size may be changed to suit the individual reauirements of the microscopist.
1 Present address: Southern Laboratories, Huntington, West Virginia.
With the exception of thereagent block, the "lab" is of three-eighths inch plywood construction. The outside dimensions for each section are twelve and three-quarters by fifteen and one-half by three and three-quarters inches. The reagent block is made of two pieces of threequarter-inch pine fifteen inches by six and three-quarters inches, and spaced three-quarters of an inch apart. There are seventy-six fifteen-sixteenths of an inch holes drilled in the blocks so that these holes correspond. The rest of the construction is evident from the photographs.
For the protection of the loose apparatus and reagents during transportation, a panel is inserted in each section to keep the apparatus and chemicals in place.
FIGURE I-AS THE LABORATORY APPEARS WHEN IT IS CLOSEDAND READYFOR TRANSPORTATION. THE DIMENSIONS oa EACHSECTION ARE FLPTEEN INCHES BY TWELVE INCHESBY THREEINCHES. THE ENTEE OUTFITWEIGHS ABOUT FORTY POUNDS
A three-eighth inch clearance must be allowed for inserting the panel of each section. These panels may be used also for a test-tube rack and a work table by drilling holes for test-tubes and by -painting the panels with acidproof paint. The reagent bottles are thirteen-sixteenths of an inch in diameter and two and seven-eighths of an inch long. ~
The two-sixteenths of an inch difference in diameter between the reagent bottle and the hole for it in the
reagent block is taken up by a rolled-up filing card glued in place. This makes a snug fit and compensates for any difference in the diameters of the bottles. All labels are protected by cellophane tape. Since the photographs were taken, the author has obtained two-ounce glass-stoppered bottles of the mushroom type for the acids. The old type (illus-
FIGURE 3.-THR OUTP~T WITH THE LEAVESDOWN The left-hand section carries the reagents, liquid and solid. The right-hand section carries the apparatus and the knowns that are used for confirmation. The left-hand panel has sections painted white and silver to aid in the examination of different colored precipitates on slides or watch glasses.
:. trated) is used for the alkaliesand the other liquid reagents. Any type of inorganic microchemical analysis, such as alloy, ore, and mineral, and some organic microchemical
analysis such as alkaloidal, textile, paper, and so forth, may be performed with this kit. For his analytical work a t home the author uses a bridge table covered with a plywood board to insure solidarity. Thus it is possible to do analytical work while seated comfortably. Since centrifuging is an important operation for the microscopist, a centrifuge is essential.. Should the regular laboratory centrifuge be too costly for the average microscopist, a satisfactory substitute may be made from an inexpensive hand drill, two centrifuge tube holders,a clamp, and several screws, nuts,and bolts. The collars for the centrifuge tube holders were cut from three-quarter-inch pine. With a little ingenuity, the operator can have a centrifuge which is both efficient and inexpensive. A microscope lamp can be made from a tin can, a small ring-stand base, two six-inch nipples to fit the base, and two clamps. A thirty-watt clear daylight bulb is used for illumination. The can is covered inside and out with aluminum paint to increase its efficiency and appearance. Details for construction are evident from the photographs. For beating purposes the author uses alcohol lamps made from two inkwell bottles, corks, and two small sections of an old blowpipe. Cotton twine may be used for wicks. An important article for the microscopist to have is a fairly good-sized mirror. The author uses a mirror as a base when carrying out microchemical reactions on
'l'llc n k ~ o w o p rlamp was made from a t m can, and the rtntrlfugc wa-rmadclrorn anold drill and somc odds anti ends. The centrifuge r h r n tnkm clown G t r into thc swac: tn ihr
center at thepxtreme right
slides. In this way slight turbidities will not be overlooked. The necessary reagents and apparatus will depend on the use the analyst will have for his kit. The reagents and apparatus can be obtained from any supply house.
