Gabriel tweets: ” @LabOnTheCheap We build a magnetic tube rack for DNA extraction and wanted to share the stl file to all interested in 3D-printed lab equipment. “ And here’s the link to the STL file hosted on the NIH 3D Print Exchange. It’s crazy that these devices are often sold for hundreds of dollars. […]
Waldoes (3D Printed Micro-manipulators)
Need a micro-positioning device for your magnetic tweezers or dissections? Check out open-labware’s 3D-printable micromanipulators. These seem to be based off unmotorized models by BackyardBrains which are also open source in design but can be bought directly. That latter option isn’t cheap though, at around $100 a pop. Here’s why I call them Waldoes.
Theater Lighting Filters
Need some cheap optical filters? Consider theater lighting filters. They even come in wonderful sampling packs! These are used in the 3D printed microscope described in our Tiny Florescence Microscopy post, and there’s been plenty of people using this trick over the years so your not going into uncharted territory just to save a few dollars. […]
3D Print a 3D Printer!
Need a 3D printer of your own? Consider the RepRap project, consisting of 3D printers where more than 50% of the parts can be made by 3D printers. It does seem a bit time intensive, but if you can get temporary access to a 3D Printer, it might be worth it to some people to then […]
Technical Tuesday: Economical Electrophoresis
Gel Electrophoresis is a method to spatially separate DNA, proteins or macromolecules in general by their weight (or charge). Depending on your field of research you’ve either never heard of this, or they are ubiquitously referred to as “gels” and they are a part of your daily life. The authors of this blog work in a […]