Author Topic: Where to get alum? (Read 6824 times)

andygates · « **on:** 20 January, 2009, 02:05:44 pm »

I need some alum. When I go into a chemist's, they look at me like I've asked for bear fat: I fear that alum is too oldschool for 'em as it's no longer on their wholesaler list.

Where can I get a pound of alum?

Wowbagger · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 January, 2009, 02:07:33 pm »

I find it's excellent stuff when I cut myself shaving.

Regulator · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 January, 2009, 02:18:02 pm »

Quote from: wowbagger on 20 January, 2009, 02:07:33 pm

I find it's excellent stuff when I cut myself shaving.

So you don't use a lot then...

Pingu · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 January, 2009, 02:36:14 pm »

He hasn't said where he shaves...

pcolbeck · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 January, 2009, 02:37:22 pm »

Quote from: Pingu on 20 January, 2009, 02:36:14 pm

He hasn't said where he shaves...

In the bathroom ?

Pingu · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 January, 2009, 02:38:43 pm »

Ba-dum-tsssh

Wowbagger · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 January, 2009, 02:41:33 pm »

Quote from: Pingu on 20 January, 2009, 02:36:14 pm

He hasn't said where he shaves...

Or whom.

Chris S · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 January, 2009, 02:45:46 pm »

Last call for NSFW, Last call for NSFW.

ALL ABOOOOOOAAARDD!

PaulF · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 January, 2009, 02:51:17 pm »

<on topic>Did you try asking for it by its chemical name, Aluminium Potassium Sulphate (KAl(SO₄)₂) rather than Alum? They might not have known what you meant by Alum - I couldn't remember whether it was Potassium or Sodium and had to Google

cc93 · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 January, 2009, 02:53:04 pm »

Surprisingly enough, not here!

Pingu · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 January, 2009, 03:29:12 pm »

Scientific & Chemical Supplies Ltd

andygates · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 January, 2009, 03:58:45 pm »

POA? Wow, I'm oldschool!

Pingu · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 January, 2009, 04:02:43 pm »

So, what do you want it for, hmmmm?

andyoxon · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 January, 2009, 05:44:51 pm »

Can you light bonfires with it?

Zoidburg · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 January, 2009, 06:13:31 pm »

Andy old chap

When Special Branch get around to raiding your house just remember that we dont know you.

In fact I think we may have to delete the forum, trash all the hard drives and destroy all the servers as well just in case.

Wobbly John · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 January, 2009, 08:13:04 pm »

You can get it on ebay.

I think we buy it for about £3 a kg, but those companies probably wouldn't supply individuals anymore.

I used to get my raw photographic chemicals from Rayco, who don't seem to have a web-presence now $:-\$ , but Silverprint still do a good range and list both ammonium and potassium alum.

Whatayeruptonow?

andygates · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 January, 2009, 08:38:24 pm »

Ah, good old ebay, source of chemicals aplenty.

It's for tanning some furry critter skin. Alum and egg yolk gives a white, soft skin and retains the fur. Apparently!

Oh and if you want to destroy servers, I can suggest a kilo of thermite on top of the server cabinet.

Wobbly John · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 January, 2009, 08:48:25 pm »

Still playing with thermite?

We're disposing of a load of chemicals next week - including Aluminium powder, Barium peroxide, etc. I was very tempted to have a go at bonfire lighting the AndyGates stylee.

It costs more to get chemicals disposed of nowadays than it does to buy them!

andygates · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 January, 2009, 09:33:50 pm »

Quote from: Wobbly John on 20 January, 2009, 08:48:25 pm

Still playing with thermite?

One of the long slow projects is some thermite casting of iron mjolnir pendants. Very slow.

Wobbly John · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 January, 2009, 09:41:33 pm »

Quote from: andygates on 20 January, 2009, 09:33:50 pm

One of the long slow projects is some thermite casting of iron mjolnir pendants. Very slow.

Any normal person would be casting them in pewter on their camping stove.

andygates · « **Reply #20 on:** 20 January, 2009, 09:52:30 pm »

Tried casting in lead, didn't like it. And Thor approves of the fireworks!

I'm just channeling my inner Mythic Beard.

redshift · « **Reply #21 on:** 20 January, 2009, 11:32:09 pm »

Quote from: Wobbly John on 20 January, 2009, 08:48:25 pm

Still playing with thermite?

We're disposing of a load of chemicals next week - including Aluminium powder, Barium peroxide, etc. I was very tempted to have a go at bonfire lighting the AndyGates stylee.

It costs more to get chemicals disposed of nowadays than it does to buy them!

Surely they could be sent to Mr Gates for responsible, safe disposal?

Kathy · « **Reply #22 on:** 21 January, 2009, 05:06:51 pm »

Quote from: andygates on 20 January, 2009, 09:33:50 pm

One of the long slow projects is some thermite casting of iron mjolnir pendants. Very slow.

Mjolnir as opposed to a sword of Thunderbolt Iron, made to invade Elfland?

You surprise me.

andygates · « **Reply #23 on:** 21 January, 2009, 06:00:21 pm »

You know, I have that but I haven't read it!

TimO · « **Reply #24 on:** 21 January, 2009, 06:26:41 pm »

Quote from: redshift on 20 January, 2009, 11:32:09 pm

Quote from: Wobbly John on 20 January, 2009, 08:48:25 pm
Still playing with thermite?

We're disposing of a load of chemicals next week - including Aluminium powder, Barium peroxide, etc. I was very tempted to have a go at bonfire lighting the AndyGates stylee.

It costs more to get chemicals disposed of nowadays than it does to buy them!

Surely they could be sent to Mr Gates for responsible, safe disposal?

Sending them is probably even more expensive than disposing of them. The Royal Mail tends to take a dim view of dangerous chemicals in the post, and I imagine most other delivery companies do as well.

When I was doing my A-Levels, we were told a story by our Chemistry Bod. When they built the building that the Chemistry department (and most of the rest of the College) was in, they had to shift a load of chemicals from the old building to the new one. Given the tendency for some of the stuff that they found buried there to spontaneously ignite if handled roughly, or probably even looked at too aggressively, they tried to convince the local Fire Brigade that they could use them to practice their chemical disposal techniques. They obviously didn't have the gift of the gab, since they didn't get a taker. In the end they had to spend an informative few weeks looking up reactions that would reduce them to various more inert substances.

Author Topic: Where to get alum? (Read 6824 times)

Chris S

cc93

Zoidburg