Tiny Measurements of Liquids

[Ed Sukach]

Somewhere -- someone asked about measuring *very* small amounts of liquids. The "classic" method is to use a Pipette -- This thing is a small diameter tube - usually glass, calibrted in ... smal fractions of milliliters -- or whatever. I inquired at my local pharamcy ("Chemist" to those in Jolly Old..) about buying one for myself ... and *I* think he overreacted, for some unknown reason. After talking him out of calling the riot squad (??? I have **NO** idea what the #$!# was going on), I discovered a much cheaper and more durable substitute. I bought two of them ....

They are called brand name <Basis> "Oral Syringe with Bottle Applicator",
Disrtibuted by PolyMedica Health Care, Inc., Golden Colorado, 80401.

Essentailly, it is similar to an hypodermic syringe without the needle. It has a capacity of 10 ml; graduated in tenths of a ml - ideal for measuring Rodinal.

It is designed for admistering small amounts of liquid medicines to infants/ children, so is obviously chemically inert.

I've used one of these successfully for some three or four years - with no problems.

Not bad for US$1.99 each.

Incidentally - Made in Denmark.

 

[Aggie]

..

 

[noseoil]

My wife brought home some cheap, disposable, plastic pipettes from work. They are good to about 3 or 4ml and work very well. I think a surgical supply house will have them in stock as well as a home health store. The glass ones are great, but break easily. I mark the plastic ones so there is no cross-contamination of chemicals. throw away when necessary and no problems.

 

[Flotsam]

I've used syringes for years. The readily available needless oral 10mm is great for the smallest amounts but my real treasure is an all glass 20cc that a friend who worked in a lab gave me. The glass plunger fits the barrel so perfectly that no seal or gasket is needed. Makes it a dream to clean thouroughly and it will last forever (as long as I dont drop it).

 

[Ole]

A properly calibrated pipette is a wonderful thing - if that's what you need. But for all practical purposes, a syringe is more than precise enough. Really useful things - unlike the pipettes.

 

[Jorge Oliveira]

I use a 5ml glass syringe to measure small quantities.
I've purchased it decades ago - don't even know if they manufacture glass ones today.

When I was young (last century, LOL) I took some shots for acne. I used a really small one - 1ml.

Jorge O

 

[Robert]

Woodworking places might have glue syringes. I don't know how accurate they are but I doubt they are made up special for glue.

 

[glewis]

Gee Guys and Gals, How about these?

:ermm:

 

[glewis]

son of a monkey slap smile erased the link!

http://www.photoformulary.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=2&tabid=9&CategoryID=56&langID=0

 

[jbrodkey]

The problem with a pipette is that you need some kind of a bulb to aspirate the solution because you don't want to suck up the stuff by mouth. For tiny amounts I use a "transfer pipette" which has its own bulb and calibrated tube.
Mine hold 5cc and the tube is calibrated at 0.5 and 1 ml. If I need more than 1ml. I can aspirate more and transfer to a graduate. The nice thing is that they come in cartons of 500 for $24 so can be thrown away after one use to avoid contamination....Samco transfer pipettes cat no 222 and the company is located in San Fernando, CA

 

[Robert]

Okay I checked the bottom of the tool box. The glue syringes don't have any markings. So never mind.

 

[lee]

I use pipettes to draw Part A and one for Part B of PMK and measure into another vile that is marked in 1 ml increments. I installed the bulbs on both and one is little and one is big. I also have some syringes but have not used them for a while. I put tubing on the ends so I could stick that into the chemistry.

lee\c

 

[Flotsam]

glewis,

Good link. Right on topic. I'm making a note of it.

 

[Aggie]

..

 

[Robert]

I bought one today. Only 5ml. A grand total of $1.27 Canadian-))

 

[roy]

For tiny amounts I use a "transfer pipette" The nice thing is that they come in cartons of 500 for $24 so can be thrown away after one use to avoid contamination....

I use a similar product available in the U.K.

 

[GreyWolf]

Well I have read through the thread and understand what you folks are talking about. My questhion though is

"How small do you need to measure to?"

Also

"What exactly is the liquid you are measuring?"

Thanks

 

[Robert]

2.5ml. I bought one of those colour kits. Basically to prove to myself I can/can't do it. Now my choices are make up the whole thing. In which case it'll go bad far quicker then I could ever use it. Or make up a little at a time.