Recommendation on graduated cylinders?

Duceman · Apr 12, 2022

I just dropped my 15+ year old plastic 650mL graduated cylinder, breaking it beyond repair. I also have a plastic 50mL graduated cylinder that has essentially become unusable due to discoloration of the plastic. So... time for a new set. Was possibly considering glass or pyrex for their longevity (assuming I don't drop them). Any recommendations?

One thing I noticed is that most offerings are either 500mL or 1L... I sorta liked the 650mL because I didn't have to fill it to the brim when using 500mL solutions for developing.

logan2z · Apr 12, 2022

I use the Paterson plastic graduated cylinders. They have a 600ml version that might work well for you. I find the numbers on the cylinders bit hard to read in certain light, but they work well otherwise.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40136-REG/Paterson_PTP304_Plastic_Graduate_22oz_600ml.html

Vaughn · Apr 12, 2022

I destroyed a nice little plastic one measuring out some acetone...whoops. Wrong kind of plastic.

I'd consider glass for the smaller ones. For fine measurement, my largest glass is 50ml. Any larger I'd start worrying about breakage -- except for the old Kodak glass flared 32 oz graduated measuring containers -- which would break one's foot if dropped. I have an 8 oz version that I use all the time (for acetone).

But if I need an unmarked glass container for mixing, it is hard to beat a canning jar on the magnetic mixer.

Duceman · Apr 12, 2022

Vaughn said:
I destroyed a nice little plastic one measuring out some acetone...whoops. Wrong kind of plastic.

Yeah, that's how I ruined mine as well.

gordrob · Apr 12, 2022

I use the Paterson 1200ml and 600ml plastic graduated cylinders for measuring water only. For measuring any chemistry I use glass graduates and mixing is done in glass beakers on a magnetic mixer up to 5L. Glass is the easiest to wash and keep clean. I have one of those Kodak 32oz graduates and yes they are heavy.

mshchem · Apr 12, 2022

Nalgene PMP (polymethylpentene) I have straight 50,100, and 250mL, and 1L graduated cylinders. Also some Nalgene conical (pharmaceutical) graduates, 250,500ml and 1L. These conical ones are faster and plenty accurate. The Paterson graduates work great, until you drop.

Doremus Scudder · Apr 12, 2022

Search for "graduates" in the eBay Darkroom and Developing section. You'll find lots of choices including the nifty antique Kodak funnel-shaped glass graduates (I love them). Get a bunch; you can never have too many

Doremus

Moose22 · Apr 12, 2022

logan2z said:
I use the Paterson plastic graduated cylinders. They have a 600ml version that might work well for you. I find the numbers on the cylinders bit hard to read in certain light, but they work well otherwise.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40136-REG/Paterson_PTP304_Plastic_Graduate_22oz_600ml.html

I use these. I just drew lines on with sharpee for my most commonly used quantities.

Don't know that they are the best, but they have served me well the last 6 months and are designed well enough I can pour back into the bottle without a funnel if I'm careful.

I like them being 600ml for the same reason the OP stated, the extra headroom when I'm using close to half liter quantities.

mshchem · Apr 12, 2022

Very freaking expensive for folks who don't buy $300 million a year from Thermo Fisher. If one lurks around Ebay these pop up from time to time. Very resistant to most chemicals.

M Carter · Apr 12, 2022

I really like my little 45ML graduate, it can be really handy for testing or critical mixes.

Steve Goldstein · Apr 12, 2022

I have a couple of those pharmaceutical (conical-shaped) PMP “cylinders” that mschchem pictured. Mine are not accurate!

I used 10ml and 50ml volumetric flasks to check all my others. I believe they’re accurate - 5 fills of the made-in-China 10ml flask just hits the line on my 50ml made-in-USA ONE. The 300ml, 600ml, and 1200ml Patersons are accurate, as are my 10ml glass and plastic cylinders and various smaller ones (25ml, 50ml, 100ml). But the conical one holds about 5% more than any of the others for a given volume mark.

Note that by “accurate” I really mean self-consistent because I have no way to verify absolute accuracy. Everything agrees for every comparison I’ve done except that conical one.

Does it matter? Maybe, maybe not. I have other options so I don’t use the conical one any longer. Fortunately I bought it many years ago before the price got silly.

MattKing · Apr 12, 2022

I buy mine from dollar stores and thrift stores, because I do very little that requires fine precision.
I have a few Paterson ones as well, that I picked up in used darkroom sales lots.
My near antique glass Kodak ones serve as decorations in the living room .

ic-racer · Apr 12, 2022

I dropped one of my beloved Jobo plastic graduates and thought "I'll just look up a nice graduate cylinder on-line at any labware shop."
Ha, ha. It was very difficult to find anything that was as good. Meaning, the correct displacement of gradations, easy to see, plastic, etc.
So, I wound up repairing the cracked Jobo graduate.

Since I do all my processing with long-lasting liquid concentrates and one-shot, I'm paralyzed without my measuring cylinders.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/25452-REG/Jobo_J3304_Plastic_Graduate_9oz.html

NB23 · Apr 12, 2022

Acetone in plastic, yes it transforms the plastic in a transluscent matte finish but still works as intended.

I still use mine and works just as well. The level of liquid shows through the plastic very well, still.

DREW WILEY · Apr 12, 2022

Basic acrylic ones like the Paterson brand are fine, but if you want the best in plastic version, I second Mschem's recommendation of polymethylpentene. More expensive, but one advantage is how they are far less likely to have residual drops or glops of solution sticking to the inner walls, so measure out the full allotted volume more efficiently.
LSS (Lab Safety Supply) has an excellent selection of all kinds of graduates, beakers, storage bottles, etc, replete with full technical information regarding chemical compatibility.

No, I certainly don't recommend acrylic graduates for acetone or any other "hot solvent", but then I don't add lighter fluid to the moonshine in the still either, like some of you apparently enjoy doing before drinking the result. (You did specifically mention a "still" three times, NB23.)

Bill Burk · Apr 12, 2022

I am partial to the Kodak 32 ounce glass beakers.

Vaughn · Apr 12, 2022

Duceman said:
Yeah, that's how I ruined mine as well.

Took the measurement reference marks right off the insides!

Duceman · Apr 13, 2022

NB23 said:
Acetone in plastic, yes it transforms the plastic in a transluscent matte finish but still works as intended.

I still use mine and works just as well. The level of liquid shows through the plastic very well, still.

Not mine. Cant' see through the plastic, nor the graduations.

pentaxuser · Apr 13, 2022

Duceman, if your drop the next graduate a the same rate as the last then as it was fine until you dropped it, isn't there a case for simply replacing it by the same model ?

pentaxuser

Duceman · Apr 13, 2022

pentaxuser said:
Duceman, if your drop the next graduate a the same rate as the last then as it was fine until you dropped it, isn't there a case for simply replacing it by the same model ?

pentaxuser

Maybe. Haven't ruled that out. However, I don't know if that model is available anymore. TBH, I don't even remember where I got it.

Vaughn · Apr 13, 2022

I do like my Kodak 8 oz heavy glass flared graduated cylinder -- especially the bottom of it. Written around edge of the bottom side is "FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC" and then, "USE ONLY", in the center of the bottom side. then "KODAK" below that. But quickly read just before filling it, what one sees is actually;

USE
ONLY
KODAK

Subliminal design at it's best. And it has a nice sized pouring spout. Attached image since my description is lacking..

Duceman · Apr 13, 2022

Well... for the time being, I went down to the photography store and picked up two Kalt graduated cylinders, both plastic, one is 1000mL and the other 100mL. I think I'll still BOLO for some glass or pyrex ones, though.

Thanks all for the input.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 13, 2022

Duceman said:
I just dropped my 15+ year old plastic 650mL graduated cylinder, breaking it beyond repair. I also have a plastic 50mL graduated cylinder that has essentially become unusable due to discoloration of the plastic. So... time for a new set. Was possibly considering glass or pyrex for their longevity (assuming I don't drop them). Any recommendations?

One thing I noticed is that most offerings are either 500mL or 1L... I sorta liked the 650mL because I didn't have to fill it to the brim when using 500mL solutions for developing.

despite the danger of breaking them, I prefer glass beakers, because I use a heated magnetic stirrer and the plastic wouldn't withstand the heating plate.

Randy Stewart · Apr 13, 2022

I have used Paterson plastic cylinders for decades. My 600 ml is still fine, One around 100 ml clouded up when filled with something I know longer recall. Since then, I use glass cylinders. If you buy a cylinder labelled for photographic use, you will pay 2-3x as much for it. You can buy individual units, or sets of various sizes and save a lot of money, on Amazon.

GregY · Apr 13, 2022

Last time I was at the Photo Formulary in Condon MT (pre-covid) they had some glass beakers....They're my preference too, although i've broken and taped the edges of several....& outright broken the bottom out of another....

Recommendation on graduated cylinders?

Duceman

logan2z

Vaughn

Duceman

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mshchem

Doremus Scudder

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mshchem

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NB23

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