Suppliers of chemistry equipment.
I'm going to list suppliers of chemistry equipment here as I find and use them. I'll only list suppliers that I've used here and up to now, all the suppliers I've opted for have been in the UK (or been available to me via Ebay).
** WARNING **
In the UK, as far as I know, it's not illegal to practice hobby chemistry. However, there are some activities that are most certainly against the law and will land you in serious hot water. If you don't know what those activities are, then hobby chemistry isn't for you and I suggest that you take up jogging or doing crossword puzzles instead.
However, I've read posts and articles that suggest not all the world is as liberal as the UK.
For example, I read the other day that in Texas, it’s illegal to purchase conical flasks unless you have a permit, even if they are for home hobby use you. If you don’t have a permit you can land yourself in serious trouble.
Check what you can and cannot buy and own where you live and DON'T break the law - it's not worth the trouble. !!
However, I've read posts and articles that suggest not all the world is as liberal as the UK.
For example, I read the other day that in Texas, it’s illegal to purchase conical flasks unless you have a permit, even if they are for home hobby use you. If you don’t have a permit you can land yourself in serious trouble.
Check what you can and cannot buy and own where you live and DON'T break the law - it's not worth the trouble. !!
Rule - SHOP AROUND !!!!!!!
Rapid Electronics - www.rapidonline.co.uk
![Picture](/uploads/6/5/7/2/6572022/1968211.jpg)
These guys sell a fairly comprehensive range of goodies (not just chemistry equipment) at very reasonable prices and can provide you with the basics of the equipment you will need. Check out their Education section.
I've used Rapid for many years as my primary supplier for electronic components (one of my other hobbies) and I've always found them professional and helpful. Also, when things go wrong (and it happens), they've always sorted it out.
Things to note:
Usually the more you buy, the cheaper the unit price becomes. If your part of a club or there's a group of you starting out, you may want to pool your resources to qualify for quantity discounts.
If your order value (before VAT) is over a certain amount (and I think it's £35), you will get free delivery. if your order is too heavy or big for the Royal Mail to handle (and that seems to be just about anything over 1Kg or anything I seem to order for that matter), then Rapid ship it by courier and usually you get it next working day.
They don't stock any chemicals - just equipment.
I've used Rapid for many years as my primary supplier for electronic components (one of my other hobbies) and I've always found them professional and helpful. Also, when things go wrong (and it happens), they've always sorted it out.
Things to note:
Usually the more you buy, the cheaper the unit price becomes. If your part of a club or there's a group of you starting out, you may want to pool your resources to qualify for quantity discounts.
If your order value (before VAT) is over a certain amount (and I think it's £35), you will get free delivery. if your order is too heavy or big for the Royal Mail to handle (and that seems to be just about anything over 1Kg or anything I seem to order for that matter), then Rapid ship it by courier and usually you get it next working day.
They don't stock any chemicals - just equipment.
Tuffnell Glass - www.tuffnellglass.com/
![Picture](/uploads/6/5/7/2/6572022/2441929.jpg)
These guys sell all sorts of fancy glass for hobby use. But, they also happen to sell glass tubing and rods in various sizes. Check out their site carefully. They tend to sell by weight in 1/2 Kg or 1Kg packs - you get a lot of 6mm Glass tube in a 1/2 Kg pack!! If I have only one gripe with these guys, and some of this is down to my own inexperience when handling glass, it's the way they cut the lengths. This said, its not stopped me from placing several orders with them recently as I couldn’t find anybody who could beat them on price. I bought a mixed tube pack as it contained a random selection of different bore size tubes and I thought it would be sensible to have a selection to hand. The problem was that some of the larger tubes looked like they had been hit over the end of a table to break them off. I'm still experimenting with different ways to trim glass tube but I'm making headway. The good news is that the smaller the tube size, the simpler it is to work with.
SLS Select Education Ltd
![Picture](/uploads/6/5/7/2/6572022/9775173.jpg)
These guys sell equipment and chemicals and their prices arn't that bad really. It's a shame that their chemicals usually come in 250g or larger quantities but you can't have everything.
Unfortunatly, I've found out that they won't sell chemicals to the general public; nice of them to mention that on their website.
You may still be able to order equipment and glass items from them.
Unfortunatly, I've found out that they won't sell chemicals to the general public; nice of them to mention that on their website.
You may still be able to order equipment and glass items from them.
Silverprint
![Picture](/uploads/6/5/7/2/6572022/5589023.jpg)
These people sell photographic supplies and a host of other chemicals that are useful in the lab. Their postage costs were quite reasonable which is nice for once and they seemed happy enough to deal with the public.
Abbey Chemicals
![Picture](/uploads/6/5/7/2/6572022/792389.jpg)
Another source for chemicals and solutions for the home lab. Because of some of the chemicals I'd ordered, I was sent an Email asking me to complete a declaration form stating what I wanted them for; seems perfectly reasonable I suppose. Anyway, they seemed happy enough once I'd filled it in and faxed it back.
These guys sell Ammonia solution among other things and seem happy enough to deal with the public.
These guys sell Ammonia solution among other things and seem happy enough to deal with the public.
Ebay.
Ok, this is a bit of a catch all but they have to get a mention. I've had loads off stuff from Ebay over the years and I can only remember once having a problem, but perhaps I'm lucky. Do check the sellers feed back and do read the negative comments people post. If you have any concerns, move on to the next seller. It's unusual to only find one seller with that "must have" item.
You will find all sorts of "stuff" here from chemicals to equipment.
Warning, Ebay is NOT always the cheapest. Recently I've noticed a trend with some Ebay sellers. Items are over priced (or they try and stiff you on silly postage charges). Do shop around and do checkout real shops as well. For example, I've seen simple rubber bungs on Ebay for over £1 each; rapid sell a bag of ten for not much more.
You will find all sorts of "stuff" here from chemicals to equipment.
Warning, Ebay is NOT always the cheapest. Recently I've noticed a trend with some Ebay sellers. Items are over priced (or they try and stiff you on silly postage charges). Do shop around and do checkout real shops as well. For example, I've seen simple rubber bungs on Ebay for over £1 each; rapid sell a bag of ten for not much more.
Any more ?
Let me know of places you've bought supplies from and your experiances.