tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post7965211256373471431..comments2024-03-18T16:39:23.054-04:00Comments on Chemjobber: Open thread for new PIs and lab setup discussion Chemjobberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15932113680515602275noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-11741723866610812002016-04-17T15:19:48.623-04:002016-04-17T15:19:48.623-04:00Companies such as VWR, Aldrich, Fisher, Kemtech, L...Companies such as VWR, Aldrich, Fisher, Kemtech, Laboy, offer "start up lab packages"to new PI's. From those of you who've had experience starting up a lab (negative and postive) which of these companies offers the better deal? Who's easier to work with (i.e. minimal headaches/surprises)? Are there any other companies out there I am overlooking?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-591059746788210452016-04-15T12:49:45.657-04:002016-04-15T12:49:45.657-04:00Another question: In looking at analytical balance...Another question: In looking at analytical balances (0.1 mg readability), how important is the brand of balance? The specs all seem similar. In particular, has anyone had experience with A&D balances? Seems like a smaller operation, but for a simple no-frills balance, their prices seem pretty reasonable.Cat Herderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14135330328463729173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-16269287107664461812016-04-13T18:15:35.779-04:002016-04-13T18:15:35.779-04:00You can get all type of specialty glassware for sy...You can get all type of specialty glassware for synthesis from Kemtech (Synthware is the brand name) through major distributors such as Fisher and VWR. But if you order directly from Kemtech America, you can get significant discount. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-60223385785297933032016-03-29T17:00:14.576-04:002016-03-29T17:00:14.576-04:00Most of the distillation heads for our solvent sti...Most of the distillation heads for our solvent stills came from Kemtech. I never had any problem with them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-72054376468190640932016-03-21T18:59:48.938-04:002016-03-21T18:59:48.938-04:00Has anyone had positive or negative experience wit...Has anyone had positive or negative experience with glassware from Kemtech America? Their prices are significantly lower.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-20138255845453935382016-03-21T11:19:11.640-04:002016-03-21T11:19:11.640-04:00We have a solvent system from J C Meyer Co. The gl...We have a solvent system from J C Meyer Co. The glassblower from UC Irvine makes them in his spare time.. It has worked pretty well for many years and customer service is outstanding. They will let you exchange spent cartridges for filled ones for a reasonable cost, too. http://jcmeyer-solventsystems.com/About_Us.html<br />However, it's a free-standing unit (i.e. not plumbed into a box)<br />Old Biddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12982631719343776864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-60150479654999270132016-03-21T09:14:10.635-04:002016-03-21T09:14:10.635-04:00I think it's mostly because of how long it tak...I think it's mostly because of how long it takes to achieve the pump's ultimate vacuum. You don't want to be waiting 15 min between purge-backfill cycles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-90022549496510813412016-03-21T08:04:22.921-04:002016-03-21T08:04:22.921-04:00I used a VAC solvent system in graduate school. Ab...I used a VAC solvent system in graduate school. Absolutely terrible. Most of the solvents came out wet and/or full of black metal flakes. Pure process technology (or the current company of PPT's founder) is the way to go. VAC is going to crap in my opinion. Every person I know who bought a VAC glovebox within the last 5 years has had terrible problems with the freezers. To make matters worse, customer service has also tanked.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-45236473564730019122016-03-20T23:22:47.236-04:002016-03-20T23:22:47.236-04:00My startup package includes flexibility in moving ...My startup package includes flexibility in moving money between equipment and supplies and this money is given in installments each year. As I am trying to make a budget to purchase big ticket equipments (glovebox, SPS etc) during the first year, I need to earmark a specific amount for chemicals/supplies so that I do not run out of money before the end of first year! For a group of 2-3 students in my lab (organic synthesis), I am allocating 12K/year per student. <br />I need some advise if that's a reasonable budget? It would be very helpful if others can share their burn rate estimates. <br /><br />Thanks in advance. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-69735314202981226812016-03-20T21:11:10.444-04:002016-03-20T21:11:10.444-04:00Thanks Iron Chemist. Thanks Iron Chemist. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-39303147647107886652016-03-18T20:20:45.549-04:002016-03-18T20:20:45.549-04:00For those of you looking for pumps to power a Schl...For those of you looking for pumps to power a Schlenk line or vacuum manifold (h/t Milkshake): https://orgprepdaily.wordpress.com/2007/01/14/setting-up-a-vacuum-manifold/<br /><br />A question for Milkshake or others: why is pumping speed important in powering a manifold? I fully trust Milkshake; I'm just looking for some clarification.Cat Herderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14135330328463729173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-62250350105093814932016-03-18T20:13:55.378-04:002016-03-18T20:13:55.378-04:00"On the other hand, I don't have a lot of..."On the other hand, I don't have a lot of positive comments about the Shimadzu LC unit..." <br /><br />cosignChemjobberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15932113680515602275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-46438192676997602162016-03-18T20:11:50.644-04:002016-03-18T20:11:50.644-04:00Second on Agilent suggestion. I also used a basic ...Second on Agilent suggestion. I also used a basic Shimadzu GC (note, no MS!) and it was fine over the three years I worked with it. Nothing fancy, but reliable. I also had a positive experience with a Shimadzu MS unit that was part of an LCMS.<br /><br />On the other hand, I don't have a lot of positive comments about the Shimadzu LC unit...Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-9104533282125471272016-03-18T18:31:59.231-04:002016-03-18T18:31:59.231-04:00I vote for Agilent. They are rugged, relatively ea...I vote for Agilent. They are rugged, relatively easy to fix, and if you can find a local engineer for cheap maintenance.<br /><br />I have used Agilent GCs for 20+ years and as long as you provide clean gases and good pressure regulators they will perform.SJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-71767224316982904532016-03-18T16:34:14.130-04:002016-03-18T16:34:14.130-04:00Can someone give advice on GC (not GCMS) systems? ...Can someone give advice on GC (not GCMS) systems? I am trying to decide between Agilent and Shimadzu models? Thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-44694863626790875602016-03-18T13:29:09.305-04:002016-03-18T13:29:09.305-04:00Anybody had any luck with VAC solvent purification...Anybody had any luck with VAC solvent purification systems? I've had good experiences with their glove boxes in the past and thought I might try to bundle a box with an SPS. Any thoughts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-38731862566301390392016-03-18T08:33:20.251-04:002016-03-18T08:33:20.251-04:00We recently put together a lab at a small startup ...We recently put together a lab at a small startup from scratch. We've found that service/quality from Agilent has really taken a nosedive recently. We got a huge discount on a prep HPLC at the end of their sales quarter, but their salespeople lied to us about "fixed" issues/concerns we had with previous versions of their instruments and the technician wasn't even able to install it properly. After several service visits where they basically called us idiots (I believe the technician called us "the three stooges" to our face), we ended up figuring the problem out ourselves (and that the installation was completely botched). We got a Waters QDA LS-MS at a pretty big discount. It's top notch and they've been a dream to deal with in terms of service. I would imagine the discounts at most places are even better for academia. The biggest thing we found was that the discounts get a whole lot better if you explicitly let them know who else you're talking to during the sales meetings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-35502971803133384192016-03-17T23:31:48.019-04:002016-03-17T23:31:48.019-04:00Don't look only at discounts... I got GC/MS an...Don't look only at discounts... I got GC/MS and LC/MS with startup funds. GC I bought the high quality stuff, works still today perfectly >10 years. No problems. LC/MS bought a cheaper one as it was a great deal.. but you get what you pay for. Disaster from the beginning. So be careful what you buy! even if $ are limited... Also consider putting a lot of $ in equipment as later on it is nearly impossible to buy equipment. Grants typically give you only small stuff and give you salary so don't use startup excessively for this.<br />Deals: ask for demo machines and/or see if you get a package deal.. additional discount if you buy both instrument from the same company. If the big guys (Thermo, Agilent) give you a very nice discount.. be suspicious that the next generation instrument will be out in a month or so... For service ask around in your part of the country as it varies by region. A local engineer with experience is jackpot. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-68267496829454592032016-03-16T15:10:39.339-04:002016-03-16T15:10:39.339-04:00I've got a MBraun single glovebox with an appe...I've got a MBraun single glovebox with an appended freezer. It's been pretty reliable. One common problem about which I was warned is that the coolant for the freezer component often leaks upon transit, but I didn't have that particular issue.<br /><br />If you are on something other than the ground floor, getting the glovebox up to your lab may be an issue. With the elevator in my building, we needed to remove both antechambers in order to get them to fit. I don't know what I would have done with a double glovebox.<br /><br />With respect to the finances, there are enough manufacturers to keep everyone honest. Expect to spend about $25-30 K for a single glovebox.The Iron Chemistnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-41971262640823902062016-03-15T12:28:15.876-04:002016-03-15T12:28:15.876-04:00Can any one give advise in purchasing LC-MS, GC-MS...Can any one give advise in purchasing LC-MS, GC-MS systems with discounts? Agilent, Shimadzu are the market leaders but how are the other players (Waters, Thermo MSQ) in terms of service, discounts?<br /><br />ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-80910115847944622792016-03-15T10:55:31.151-04:002016-03-15T10:55:31.151-04:00My comment on controllers: SJMarch 15, 2016 at 10:...My comment on controllers: <a rel="nofollow">SJMarch 15, 2016 at 10:44 AM</a>SJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-11835604707078378692016-03-15T09:05:01.263-04:002016-03-15T09:05:01.263-04:00This is great intel, thanks again! I've heard ...This is great intel, thanks again! I've heard that most outfitters will offer substantial discounts with the caveat that one has to ask for them explicitly. The prices at Laboy seem too good to be true. I'm tempted to order a few pieces just to evaluate quality and durability. Thanks for the lead on that. Chemperornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-82676915505410553172016-03-14T16:04:16.655-04:002016-03-14T16:04:16.655-04:00You need a vacuum controller to evaporate low-boil...You need a vacuum controller to evaporate low-boiling solvents: the cooling capacity of any rotovap condenser (chiller/recirculator or dry-ice trap) is insufficient, at least in my opinion. The digital controllers are nice, but if you're heading to a PUI, you should get an analog vacuum controller. Here's one from Heidolph, since they seem to be popular:<br />http://www.heidolphna.com/products/rotary-evaporators/vacuum-pumps-and-chillers/vacuum-accessories/<br />Also, I just spent about a day evaporating a large volume of different solvents (ether, DCM, methanol, DMF, etc.) to find appropriate pressures that will allow for time efficient evaporation that doesn't overwhelm the cooling capacity of the condenser - thus pulling solvent through the vacuum. I then wrote all this information down in the lab's SOP for using the rotovap. While annoying, I think it was useful because the rotovap will be used properly and efficiently, thus (a) making user’s time more efficient and (b) extending the lifetime of the pump.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-20386056968400353922016-03-14T15:34:12.904-04:002016-03-14T15:34:12.904-04:00First, congratulations on your new position!
Chem...First, congratulations on your new position!<br /><br />Chemglass offers a steep discount (~45%) to academics on products they make in-house (most glassware). You may be able to get even more of a discount from them for a large lab setup order.<br /><br />For simple glassware (RBFs, etc.), I've had good luck with Laboy (http://www.laboyglass.com/), a custom glass service <br />run out of China. Their prices are hard to touch and the quality is quite good. I would avoid buying large pieces of glass from them (1L RBF, etc.) because they come with super thick walls--I was actually worried one of their 1L flasks was going to break the vapor duct on my rotovap because of the extra weight. I'm not sure I'd get Schlenkware from them, but I don't have any experience either way.<br /><br />I've used a few different solvent purification systems during my career and the ones made by Pure Process Technology (http://www.pureprocesstechnology.com/Solvent-Purification.html) are hands-down the best on the market and its not even close. Unless you are on a super tight budget, I'd spend a little extra and go with these folks.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Cat Herdernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-27278872050652468762016-03-14T13:39:02.015-04:002016-03-14T13:39:02.015-04:00for 'specialty' glassware (manifolds, schl...for 'specialty' glassware (manifolds, schlenk-ware, etc) you may be better off finding a glassblower who will give you a good price/discount for placing a large order to set up your new lab. where in the US is your new lab? - if we're in the same general region, i can give you a more specific recommendation.<br /><br />most vendors that sell gloveboxes also sell solvent purification systems, and will offer you a package discount if you order both at the same time. i had good success with getting 'package' quotes from multiple vendors, then using the quote from a lower-quality vendor to bring the price from a higher-quality vendor way down. as someone also noted above, you can get other unexpected discounts for a lot of bigger equipment purchases, such as by trading in broken old equipment that you may find lying around your new department (this has worked for me in the past with buying a UV-vis). I also got an unexpected 'repeat customer' discount for a large instrument purchase in one case, because i mentioned to the sales rep that i had used their equipment before in a previous lab and liked it. sales reps can usually give much more of a discount than they will admit up front, you just have to ask!<br /><br />also, Lab Armor will send pretty generous free samples of their heating beads if you submit a request (http://www.labarmor.com/lab-armor-beads-free-sample-test-drive/). at one point, everyone in my postdoc lab submitted a sample request, and then we were fully stocked!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com