The Annotated Build-it-Yourself Science Laboratory

Windell Oskay is the co-founder of Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories, a Silicon Valley company that has designed and produced specialized electronics and robotics kits since 2007. Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories also runs a popular DIY project blog, and many of its projects have been featured at science and art museums and in Make, Wired, and Popular Science magazines. Windell was also a founding board member of OSHWA, the Open Source Hardware Association. Previously, Windell has worked as a hardware design engineer at Stanford Research Systems and as a research physicist in the Time and Frequency Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He holds a B.A. in Physics and Mathematics from Lake Forest College and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Texas at Austin.

Chemistry
Chapter 1General Laboratory Equipment
Science Laboratory Workbench
Gravity Wash Bottle
Light Bulb Chemistry Flask
Cutting Glass Tubing
Bending Glass Tubing
Graduated Cylinder and Chemistry Flask
Alcohol Burner
Broad Flame Alcohol Burner
Pipette
Mouth Pipette
Blowtorch Type of Alcohol Burner
Large Pipette-Glass Blowing
Burette Clamp and Test Tube Holder
Mason Jar Chemistry Flask
Funnel
String Filter
Plant Pot Filter
Tripod and Adjustable Rings
Support Stand
Ring Support for Support Stand and Test Tube Holder
Bottle Etcher
Glass Cutter
Bottle Cutter
Salt Water Rheostat
Carbon Arc Furnace
Adjustable Glass Bottle Etcher
Test Tubes
Test Tube Racks
Retort and Liebig Condenser
Distillation Condenser
Clothes Hanger Chemistry Stands—Filter Paper
Graduated Beaker
Stirring Rod
Petri Dish
Measuring Spoon
Acid Bottle
Wash Bottle
Asbestos Board
Drilling Glass
Litmus Paper
Sensitive Gram Scale
Metric Weights
Soda Straw Chemical Balance
Bridge for Pneumatic Trough
Thistle Tube
Hydrogen Generator
Oxygen Generator
Chemical Source of Hydrogen
Safety Gas Generator
X Connector
T Tube
Adjustable Clamp
Crystal Coal Garden
Growing Crystal Candy
Growing Gem Crystals
Recipes for Growing Crystals
Polarimeter
Hydrometer
Cartesian Diver
Problems to Investigate in the Study of Chemistry
Physics
Chapter 2Astronomy and Light
Star Chart
Refracting Telescope
Spectroscope
Astrolabe
Dip Circle Meter
Universal Sundial
Planetarium Model of the Solar System
Umbrella Planetarium
Planetarium Projector
Foucault Pendulum
Sunspot Viewer
Moon Range Finder
Water Faucet Vacuum Pump
Vacuum Jar Pressure Gauge
Vacuum Pump
Vacuum Jar—Bell Jar
Solar Furnace
Solar Distillation Apparatus
Constellarium
Problems to Investigate in the Study of Astronomy and Light
Chapter 3Atomic Energy
Radiometric Dating
Spinthariscope
Dosimeter
Diffusion Cloud Chamber
Chapter 4Electricity and Magnetism
Making a Magnet (or Recharging a Magnet)
Magnetometer
Needle Compass
Watch Spring Compass
Columbus Compass
Iron Filings
Electroscope
Pith Ball Electroscope
Electronic Electroscope
Electrophorus
Leyden Jar
Solenoid
Lemon Battery
Blotting Paper Battery
Electric Cell
Galvanoscope
Storage Battery
Mercury Switch
Safety Pin Switch
Rheostat
Push Button
Pencil Rheostat
Current Reverser
Conductivity Tester
AC or DC Power Supply
Variable Load
Lamp Bank Rectifier and Battery Charger
Carbon Rods—Carbon Electrodes
Electrolysis Tank
Test Tube Electric Motor
Bolt and Nut Motor
Doorbell
Electric Buzzer
Telegraph Key
Telegraph Sounder
Telegraph Solenoid Sounder
International Code
Current Flow Indicator
Analog Computer
Digital Computer
Problems to Investigate in the Study of Electricity and Magnetism
Chapter 5Force, Measurement, and Motion
Spring Scale
Rubber Band Weighing Scales
Meter Stick
Optical Micrometer
Centrifugal Force Indicator
Hand Stroboscope
Motorized Stroboscope
Water Hourglass
Stop Clock
Harmonograph
Chapter 6Geology
General Equipment Needed for Geology
Rock and Mineral Worksheet
Specific Gravity Test
Bead Test
Special Properties
Seismograph
Volcano
Chapter 7Meteorology (Weather)
Anemometer
Rain Gauge
Wind Vane
Nephoscope
Beaufort Wind Scale
Wind Chill Table
Balloon Barometer
Aneroid Barometer
Hair Hygrometer
Wet- and Dry-bulb Hygrometer
What Determines Weather
Mercury Barometer
Chemical Weather Glass
Air Current Detector
Air Thermometer
Cloud Jar
Air Barometer
Convection Current Box
Sunshine Recorder
Radiometer
Weather Balloon
Problems to Investigate in the Study of Meteorology (Weather)
Biology
Chapter 8General Biology Equipment
Light Source for a Microscope
Water Drop Magnifying Glass
Eyedropper
Low-Power Microscope
Leeuwenhoek-type Microscope
Bacteria Garden
Micrograph
Polarized Light Filters
Microbiology Cultures
Growing Brine Shrimp
Microscope Slide Making
Microtome
Precision Microtome
Animal Maze
Insect Net
Killing Jar
Insect Mounting Box
Quick Freeze Chamber
Chest Cavity
Metabolism Chamber
Aquarium
Terrarium
Dissecting Needle
Dissecting Pins
Dissecting Knife
Animal Cage
Problems to Investigate in the Study of Biology
Appendix
Appendix Sourcing Chemicals and Materials
Where to Buy Chemicals and Other Materials
Appendix Weights and Measures
Appendix Temperature Conversion Table
Appendix Table of the Elements
Appendix Extended Notes
Note 1. Working with Animals
Note 2. Safety: Working with Glass
Note 3. Safety: Working with Open Flames
Note 4. Safety: Working with Hot Glass
Note 5. Baby Bottles
Note 6. About Alcohols
Note 7. Ditto Fluid
Note 8. Tin Cans
Note 9. Mason Jars
Note 10. Safety: Exposed Wiring
Note 11. An Alternative Load for the Carbon Arc
Note 12. Flashlight Batteries
Note 13. Safety: Sungazing and Carbon Arcs
Note 14. Safety: Dry Ice
Note 15. Coin Weights
Note 16. Acids and the Corner Drugstore
Note 17. Safety: Working with Chemicals
Note 18. Mercurochrome
Note 19. Density Versus Specific Gravity
Note 20. Mothballs
Note 21. Carbon Tetrachloride
Note 22. Star Charts (Planispheres)
Note 23. Planet Charts
Note 24. Lenses
Note 25. Diffraction Gratings
Note 26. Mercury for a Pressure Gauge
Note 27. A Telescope to Use
Note 28. Radioactive Sources
Note 29. Diffusion Cloud Chamber
Note 30. The No. 6 Dry Cell
Note 31. Electronic Electroscopes
Note 32. Building a “Mercury” Switch
Note 33. A Transformer Versus a Load
Note 34. A Filament Transformer
Note 35. A Modern Bridge Rectifier
Note 36. Current Flow Indicator
Note 37. The Digital Computer
Note 38. Centrifugal Force?
Note 39. Parts for the Motorized Stroboscope
Note 40. Phonograph Stop Clock
Note 41. Soldering to a Tin Can
Note 42. Water Barometers
Note 43. The Chemical Weather Glass
Note 44. Tethered Weather Balloon
Note 45. On Dissections