it's got to be the lab school not just where they lecture hot tip look just right after the semsters change you'd be suprized
anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« on: May 17, 2010, 03:43:36 PM »
Topic: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept. (Read 824 times)
jon
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salat
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2010, 07:51:19 PM »
Hmmm - dumpster diving is a hobby of mine. Not sure there's any chem schools near by - do they toss chemicals or glassware?
Most of what I bring home is cool boxes, electronics, and metal - I found a brand new stainless steel sink complete with fittings along with an almost full bottle of whiskey and another of vodka - distilled it and made solvent out of it. Sink is stuck too big for the lab area though.
salat
Most of what I bring home is cool boxes, electronics, and metal - I found a brand new stainless steel sink complete with fittings along with an almost full bottle of whiskey and another of vodka - distilled it and made solvent out of it. Sink is stuck too big for the lab area though.
salat
Vesp
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2010, 01:02:15 AM »
Mine as well -- You have no idea how many things I've gotten from surplus and dumpster diving as well as having people keep theirs eyes open for things I'd be interested in...
Most universities that are fairly big will have a surplus, and they contain up to everything, including centrifuges, High vacuum pumps, heating baths, broken-ish rotovaps, and often many dark amber glass bottles, and so many other things.
Most universities that are fairly big will have a surplus, and they contain up to everything, including centrifuges, High vacuum pumps, heating baths, broken-ish rotovaps, and often many dark amber glass bottles, and so many other things.
jon
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #3 on: May 21, 2010, 07:56:17 PM »
universities especially the larger ones with the big budgets will go through their inventory at semester end and toss stuff out for minor defects you'd be suprized it has a lot to do with timing
drone1240
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2010, 06:15:57 PM »
Mine as well -- You have no idea how many things I've gotten from surplus and dumpster diving as well as having people keep theirs eyes open for things I'd be interested in...
Most universities that are fairly big will have a surplus, and they contain up to everything, including centrifuges, High vacuum pumps, heating baths, broken-ish rotovaps, and often many dark amber glass bottles, and so many other things.
One of my best friends fathers owns a chem company and he let me go thru and take alot of stuff that they had multiples of. I didn't take anything really unique except for a 2L volumetric flask and some 2L vac flask but I got tons of graduated cylinders reagent bottles tubing beakers and little stuff that really put my research capability's one the level. That day felt like Christmas for real. The dumpster at the community college I go to throws some amazing stuff away. In the votec part there is tons of stuff that really isn't trash at all. They have had to put cameras on the stadium announcers box where they had a vantage point to see folk stealing catalytic converters and copper but I can only imagine what the chem dept throws away.
transient
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2010, 09:16:31 PM »
Always have a quick look at whats in skips (hi-fi system, folding bike) but its never even crossed my mind to skip raid as a mission. I gotta say this kind of shit really exites me. Hatching plan. Thanks folks.
salat
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #6 on: July 04, 2010, 01:06:19 PM »
Heck, I practically shop them.
Like we needed containers - so I check out nail salons etc. Or there's one dumpter that I regularly check from the glass store - they throw out nice scraps of lexan and acrylics. Then there's the dumpster for the security alarm company - good for metal project boxes and misc electronics. Keeping an eye out for mecury discards too.
Tools of the trade: study pole (handle to a shovel or something) with a big rubber covered hook on the end - use it to move the trash around and pull stuff out. Heavy duty magnet on a rope. Gloves. simple tools like screwdriver and wrench - sometimes you need to take something apart to get what you want out of it.
salat
Like we needed containers - so I check out nail salons etc. Or there's one dumpter that I regularly check from the glass store - they throw out nice scraps of lexan and acrylics. Then there's the dumpster for the security alarm company - good for metal project boxes and misc electronics. Keeping an eye out for mecury discards too.
Tools of the trade: study pole (handle to a shovel or something) with a big rubber covered hook on the end - use it to move the trash around and pull stuff out. Heavy duty magnet on a rope. Gloves. simple tools like screwdriver and wrench - sometimes you need to take something apart to get what you want out of it.
salat
jon
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2010, 03:11:53 PM »
that's what i'm talking about!
i love the look i get from people if i'm especially cocky that day i'll yell "what the hell you staring at!"
i love the look i get from people if i'm especially cocky that day i'll yell "what the hell you staring at!"
hypnos
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2010, 11:43:12 AM »
Quote
Always have a quick look at whats in skips (hi-fi system, folding bike) but its never even crossed my mind to skip raid as a mission. I gotta say this kind of shit really exites me. Hatching plan. Thanks folksditto
Quote
Heck, I practically shop them.Lol ... classic..
Like we needed containers - so I check out nail salons etc. Or there's one dumpter that I regularly check from the glass store - they throw out nice scraps of lexan and acrylics. Then there's the dumpster for the security alarm company - good for metal project boxes and misc electronics. Keeping an eye out for mecury discards too.
Tools of the trade: study pole (handle to a shovel or something) with a big rubber covered hook on the end - use it to move the trash around and pull stuff out. Heavy duty magnet on a rope. Gloves. simple tools like screwdriver and wrench - sometimes you need to take something apart to get what you want out of it.
HOWEVER.....on the sad side....swih but who I know was charged AND convicted of "theft by finding" in melbexico!!! they found an old typewriter on the side of the road, and sometime later were being questioned about a burglary at their house, when a cop asked about the typewriter, and they replied they 'found it'...the cop asked 'why they didn't hand it in?'...my friend said 'it was rubbish'..the cop said..'how do you know? It has to be worth at least $20' and my friend got a fine and a conviction!!!
I wonder how you would go if campus security turned up? I dont think doing it in the dark would be very smart....
Vesp
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2010, 08:54:01 PM »
Yeah act like you are supposed to be there, less people will question it and no one will contact someone who cares.
At least where I am - if it is in the garbage and on public property -- it is up for the grabs. If it is on private (such as store) the only thing they can ask you to do is leave -- it is still not theft, etc if you take anything out of a garbage. However, if it is in a recycle bin it is a different story - which is sad because metal recycle bins have some of the best stuff in them for sure!
At least where I am - if it is in the garbage and on public property -- it is up for the grabs. If it is on private (such as store) the only thing they can ask you to do is leave -- it is still not theft, etc if you take anything out of a garbage. However, if it is in a recycle bin it is a different story - which is sad because metal recycle bins have some of the best stuff in them for sure!
WazOne
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #10 on: January 27, 2011, 02:03:05 AM »
You guys crack me up. Overalls are a good idea and a look out.
Be careful!
Be careful!
psychexplorer
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #11 on: January 27, 2011, 03:28:47 AM »
I'd be more concerned about getting caught and being branded a drug cook, even if the dive itself is legal.
It is one thing to go after electronics. If a cop stops by and asks, you can spout off a story about being cheap, or trying to lower your environmental impact through reuse.
Raiding the chemistry department's dumpster is purely sketchy.
The average cop already believes any individual with an interest in chemistry to be a drug cook. Diving in a dumpster to avoid either cost or suspicion reeks of tweaker behavior.
It is one thing to go after electronics. If a cop stops by and asks, you can spout off a story about being cheap, or trying to lower your environmental impact through reuse.
Raiding the chemistry department's dumpster is purely sketchy.
The average cop already believes any individual with an interest in chemistry to be a drug cook. Diving in a dumpster to avoid either cost or suspicion reeks of tweaker behavior.
randolph_carter
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #12 on: April 12, 2011, 03:20:36 PM »
well of course swim has dove many times!!!!
the best find was 2 count em TWO perkin elmer GC units!!!!!
high mileage on em but with actually a minor amount of techno tweekin they are in use NOW!
swim has also obtained literally 100s of lightly used borosilicate glassware items via this method!
it does help to have some sort of "connection" or "relationship" with said uni etc....
even being a student for a very short period would suffice to allow for friendships to be cultivated with the "guys down by the loading dock"....
these guyz are just plain folk and are very used to the upper echelon treating them like slime on their gucci soles....
so a little kindness and humanity goes a looooooong way here swarm......
and have you purchased a three neck 24/40 1l reaction flask lately?
this is VERY highly rewarding time you are investing here, imho
jus my 64,282 cents worth......
the best find was 2 count em TWO perkin elmer GC units!!!!!
high mileage on em but with actually a minor amount of techno tweekin they are in use NOW!
swim has also obtained literally 100s of lightly used borosilicate glassware items via this method!
it does help to have some sort of "connection" or "relationship" with said uni etc....
even being a student for a very short period would suffice to allow for friendships to be cultivated with the "guys down by the loading dock"....
these guyz are just plain folk and are very used to the upper echelon treating them like slime on their gucci soles....
so a little kindness and humanity goes a looooooong way here swarm......
and have you purchased a three neck 24/40 1l reaction flask lately?
this is VERY highly rewarding time you are investing here, imho
jus my 64,282 cents worth......
jon
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #13 on: April 14, 2011, 11:09:24 PM »
your moniker rings a bell from back in 98-99
letters
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #14 on: April 22, 2011, 03:43:19 AM »
ive never dumpster dived. hell, ive never even thought about it, but this seems like a good idea.
the uni where i work at doesnt throw anything out. we recycle almost everything. chems never gets thrown in the dumpster (thats a violation of the enviromental laws here). glassware is always recycled by our inhouse glassblower. defuked equipment always changes hands inside the uni and gets fixed.
a scientific glassblower is a really good friend to have, especially if he/she works at the uni. those guys usually have massive amounts of glassware sitting around collecting dust. ive been gifted several cool and hard to find/expensive pieces from our glassblower (all it took was a daily coffee with him, and some home baked cookies) - 80cm vigreux, vertical ns45 buchi condenser, flanged diagonal buchi condenser, triple coiled jacketed 50cm super effiecient condenser, flanged reactor vessels, flanged reactor vessel lids and some other stuff.
the uni where i work at doesnt throw anything out. we recycle almost everything. chems never gets thrown in the dumpster (thats a violation of the enviromental laws here). glassware is always recycled by our inhouse glassblower. defuked equipment always changes hands inside the uni and gets fixed.
a scientific glassblower is a really good friend to have, especially if he/she works at the uni. those guys usually have massive amounts of glassware sitting around collecting dust. ive been gifted several cool and hard to find/expensive pieces from our glassblower (all it took was a daily coffee with him, and some home baked cookies) - 80cm vigreux, vertical ns45 buchi condenser, flanged diagonal buchi condenser, triple coiled jacketed 50cm super effiecient condenser, flanged reactor vessels, flanged reactor vessel lids and some other stuff.
aniracetam
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #15 on: April 22, 2011, 04:05:25 AM »
universities especially the larger ones with the big budgets will go through their inventory at semester end and toss stuff out for minor defects you'd be suprized it has a lot to do with timing
yup
got a bunch of wheaton bottles, bunsen burners, filtration flasks, even a couple HPLC pumps this way
salat
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #16 on: April 22, 2011, 04:32:06 AM »
Hey you guys with the perkin Elmers - I got a series 4 HPLC for 25 bucks at auction and not a clue if it even works let alone how to use it. Anybody got any docs or instructions for em. PM me, otherwise my husband's gonna trash it when we move.
Salat
Salat
akcom
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #17 on: April 22, 2011, 06:35:52 AM »
Salat, pics would help determine if you have the complete setup or just various parts. You'll need the software to go with it for sure.
akcom
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #18 on: April 22, 2011, 06:51:47 AM »
Also, columns for that thing are going to be expensive. Think 3 zeros.
letters
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Re: anybody dumpsterdive at the uni chem dept.
« Reply #19 on: April 24, 2011, 11:12:54 PM »
salat, like akcom said, pics will be helpful. software is defiently needed, also probably something like a nelson PE to interface it. columns can be had probably on ebay for cheaper then 3 zeros.
if its incomplete, or even if its complete, it may be worth to part it and build your own system with the important parts salvaged so you can get cheaper and more diverse columns. it should be quite straight forward.
if its incomplete, or even if its complete, it may be worth to part it and build your own system with the important parts salvaged so you can get cheaper and more diverse columns. it should be quite straight forward.