Stir plate build

[Waterlogged]

I have been wanting to get into doing starters from slants so figured i should build a stir plate.  I managed to get a 1l, 1.5 l, and 4 liter erlemeyer flasks and a few different stir bars from a friend.  Chris Crag gave me his old one and I salvaged a few parts from a surplus computer at work that was on it way to the landfill.  The project box Chris used was very small so I picked up a wooden craft box for $3 at the dollar store.  Increased the fan size to 80mm and reduced the power supply from 7.5 v to 5 v.  I ended up burning out the rheostat (new one ordered from The Source) so may increase the pawer supply once I get that rewired into the circuit.  Did a few test and all worked well except for the 4 litre flask.  Bottom is somewat concave so kept throwing the bar.  Still have to add a few more screws on the bottom to level it and make it a little more stable.  May even wire in a toggle switch.  They may end up being a science project entry for my little guy going into kindergarten on Tuesday.  Got a full vortex on the 1 litre with about 800 ml of water and a nice one on the 1.5 litre full.  The 1.5 litre has been running for about an hour now and hasnt thrown the bar so I think I am good.

[Chris Craig]

Awesome job. Gotta love DIY!

[fakr]

Very cool!

[brew]

Very nice! Great find at the dollar store as well Im looking for a project box for a 220v rheo as well...

[Waterlogged]

Hey Brew.  My wife pointed me in the direction of the dollarstore when I was talking about needing a project box.  This was their largest on and has 1/4 inch sides and 1/8 inch top bottom.  For 3 bucks, its like a sore pecker, hard to beat !    I had to take a hole saw to the front to slowly remove about half the thickness of the wood for the rheostat.  With a little help from a chisel, the rheaostat fits perfectly.  Should have the newone from The Source sometime this week so will hook it up to the larger voltage power supply and see how it works.  If I feel I cant easily get the vortex to form, I may stick with the smaller power supply and wire in an on off switch.  I really wish I could get the stir bar to work with the 4 liter flask.  I may have a line on a lab quality stir plat that needs some repair.  It may work with that one.