Cheap acetone and HCl

[Marama T]

A certain very large hardware chain - acetone in 4L containers at $14.24/litre

A certain science supplier - acetone in 2.5L containers at $24.60/litre (plus freight)

A certain very large hardware chain - minimum 32% HCl in 20L containers at $15.75/litre

A certain science supplier - 32% HCl in 2.5L containers at $26/litre (plus freight)

We'll titrate the HCl to get an accurate concentration but for all lower school purposes I'm sure the substitution will be unnoticeable. Any feedback from you lot?

[bigmack]

We've got Diggers Acetone in our Flammables Cabinet.Thats what I send out when requested .No complaints .
There is also the dregs of Bondall HCl in a 5L container in Corrosives .Agree , It's probably just as good for junior classes and probably most senior classes too .I just like to use the smaller 2.5 Litre containers as they are easier to handle .
I wouldn't be able to fit a 20 litre container in my Corrosives cabinet and I'd be nervous decanting it. No mater how careful I am , I've never managed to get stuff out of a 20 litre without it splashing everywhere .

On the bulk subject , we always bought CuSO₄ from the Rural stores in 10 or 20 kg sacks . That worked just as good as the "expensive " stuff .

[Pm706Narrogin]

For a lot of the common flammables (e.g. acetone, kerosene, methylated spirits) I find Diggers is fine.

We do go "deluxe" with our HCl and get the "proper" stuff from Perth Scientific. But if I'm being honest we do most of our dilutions in a bucket science way anyway so if you're on a tight budget, I genuinely don't think you'd notice much difference. Most lower school pracs just need a ballpark molarity that works as opposed to 1M on the nose or the whole thing doesn't work.

20L feels excessive. We go through about 4-5L of concentrated stock a year for a school with 1300 kids and 8-9 classes of lower school each. I've worked with 20L containers in the past and they're a nightmare if they're anywhere near full. Heavy, awkward to move and if you want to safely decant from them you'll need something that either has a tap fitted or a hand pump.

The palaeontology lab I was in ages ago had 20L containers of acetic acid for digestion of rock samples. Our really good hand pump gave way and we had to make do with some much less effective pumps. Which did work but occasionally required you to do things that would make a WHS inspector blush.

I'm with bigmack the smaller the container the better

[Marama T]

HA! I am so busted - I have been buying the 5L HCl containers because they've never had the 20L in stock when I've shopped. If I did buy the 20L, it'd have to be delivered as I'm 60kg and I can't imagine a way for me to get 20-plus awkward kilograms into my weeny car. Also WHERE WOULD I STORE IT? There's room on the acids shelf for 5L but not 20L. And then decanting it???????????!!!!!!! I'd need full hazmat suits and several strong people.

Also I botched the maths in my previous post. If I buy the 5L HCl, it's under $4/L. A 20L container would mean it's only $3.14/L.

[RosalieL]

Similar topic... but I bought the 20L double strength vinegar from a cleaning supplier a couple of years ago and it's been great! So much cheaper and less waste than buying it from the supermarket in 2L bottles.

[Marama T]

Ooh that's a great idea. So much less plastic waste. Thanks.

[RosalieL]

Oh and I also did this with metho