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Amateur Scientists?
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: San Diego
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Jul 13, 2010, 09:46 PM
 
I’ve been shopping around for a good quality microscope, probably an older used research grade model, not the student grade crap. A lot of the companies on the net seem to be suspicious of private people buying anything scientific related. And obviously it has to do with the hyper-sensitivity over meth labs and terrorists.

But it has me thinking: are there any others on this board that have a home lab setup? What kind of stuff are you interested in? Do you do it for educational purposes or are you actively researching something new?

Just curious if anyone else has an interest in science that’s completely unrelated to their day job?
     
Baninated
Join Date: Jun 2009
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Jul 13, 2010, 11:58 PM
 
I'm building a time machine.
     
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
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Jul 14, 2010, 01:34 AM
 
Originally Posted by downinflames68 View Post
I'm building a time machine.
We know.

Should have used marine-grade ply though.
     
Mac Elite
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Near Boulder, CO
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Jul 14, 2010, 01:41 AM
 
I would imagine that the shear volume of inquiries are mostly from people dealing drugs, and the majority of the people honestly interested in science have gone to school and work in a research laboratory.

I wish you the best of luck, your best bet would be to make friends with a professional and order your supplies through him, but you run into the drug concern again.

-Zach
     
Baninated
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Jul 14, 2010, 02:27 AM
 
     
iMOTOR  (op)
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Jul 14, 2010, 02:43 AM
 
I’m not really having trouble buying supplies, I was just curious if anyone else here practices scientific research in or outside of their day job.
     
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
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Jul 14, 2010, 09:51 AM
 
Does one use a microscope in a meth lab?
     
Grizzled Veteran
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Jul 14, 2010, 11:59 AM
 
Originally Posted by subego View Post
Does one use a microscope in a meth lab?
Any reputable meth lab has a microscope adjacent to the open flame heating apparatus.
     
Clinically Insane
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Jul 14, 2010, 12:16 PM
 


-t
     
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Jul 14, 2010, 02:14 PM
 
Originally Posted by subego View Post
Does one use a microscope in a meth lab?
No, but any decent LSD lab does. Of course, making premium grade acid takes skill.

93 93/93
     
Eug
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Jul 14, 2010, 02:16 PM
 
Originally Posted by iMOTOR View Post
I’ve been shopping around for a good quality microscope, probably an older used research grade model, not the student grade crap.
What do you mean by "student grade crap"?

There are some recent "student grade" microscopes out there that are way better than the "research grade" scopes of 50 years ago.

What do you want to use it for? For bright-field microscopy if you get a recent scope with OK lenses and eyepieces, it's probably fine for a lot of usage, esp. for an amateur. Just a guess, but maybe $1000+ on the used market? Or perhaps less with cheaper lenses and eyepieces.

OTOH, if you want a higher end scope, like the ones they use as props (!) on CSI, along with high end lenses and attachments you might end up spending $30000.
     
   
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