Where to find lab equipment?

[Candice]

I am doing a survey to find out how many people are looking for lab equipment. For instance, you go to start a new experiment and you need GC-MS, but you don't have it in your lab. Do you know where to look? In my experience the equipment is usually on the same campus, but I did not know it and I did not know how to go about approaching the people in charge.  There is disparity amongst academia and industry as well as within institutions.  The survey will show if this disparity really exists or if it is just my colleagues and I that experience this....

[CharonY]

Your question is unclear. Do you mean finding instrument withing an institute? It obviously depends on where you are and how large your institution is. Sometimes departments maintain list of equipment that are searchable, or have mailing lists where you  can ask. Once a person is identified you could ask, but more realistically, you would have your supervisor ask. 

[Vmedvil]

On 10/24/2017 at 10:54 AM, Candice said:

I am doing a survey to find out how many people are looking for lab equipment. For instance, you go to start a new experiment and you need GC-MS, but you don't have it in your lab. Do you know where to look? In my experience the equipment is usually on the same campus, but I did not know it and I did not know how to go about approaching the people in charge.  There is disparity amongst academia and industry as well as within institutions.  The survey will show if this disparity really exists or if it is just my colleagues and I that experience this....

Ebay it, that is the cheapest source in my experience, most of it being second hand lab equipment.

Edited November 13, 2017 by Vmedvil

[Sensei]

Quote

Where to find lab equipment?

Enter "lab glassware" in the Google, and you have list of companies selling it, f.e. eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/b/Lab-Glassware/11812/bn_16563431

ps. You should get brand lab glassware. f.e. Pyrex.

ps2. Mass spectrometers can cost hundred thousands dollars..

[Vmedvil]

13 minutes ago, Sensei said:

Enter "lab glassware" in the Google, and you have list of companies selling it, f.e. eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/b/Lab-Glassware/11812/bn_16563431

ps. You should get brand lab glassware. f.e. Pyrex.

ps2. Mass spectrometers can cost hundred thousands dollars..

I gotta say, I love my 500 ml 3.3 Borosilcate flasks that I bought for way cheap there, one survived a thermite reaction I did in it despite being really cheap on Ebay.

Edited November 13, 2017 by Vmedvil

[hypervalent_iodine]

Your question isn't super clear to me either. Personally, I have a pretty good idea of what groups within my school and other institutes on campus have available equipment wise. However, if I have a particular question that I am unsure of how to answer or I need a piece of equipment and I don't immediately know where to locate it (or if I have access to it), I would first get in touch with my supervisor. He has a much wider network than I do, and would likely know where to go and who to contact. There's also the option of exploiting other contacts of your own (technicians, for example). Industry reps / application specialists are also a good source of knowledge on who has what around the area. Things as basic as glassware - unique pieces or otherwise - are pretty easily dealt with for me, as we have a very good in-house glass blower in my building.