Suggestions on quality magnetic stirrer

[The Cloud Prospector]

Looking to purchase a magnetic stirrer to get a true mix for my testing. Recently had my old ancient stirrer break and have not looked at any recently, so if anyone has purchased one lately or has a review on one they have I would truly appreciate any suggestions. Hope everyone has a great monday.

 

[twgbonehead]

I liked this approach:

How to Make a Cheap, Portable Magnetic Stirrer

 

[rowdyplace]

I made my own:


Here's the first effort...


Mostly from PC junk - very inexpensive!

 

[The Cloud Prospector]

Thank you both for the suggestions on the a simple homemade version as well as the links. I am definitely going to be giving this a shot for the time being... and rowdyplace... how well has yours held up, or how long have you been running it using it for...as far as time increments?

 

[BlueridgeDog]

If I were in the market for one, I would snag a used one on eBay. For example:

Tested VG Conition Cole Parmer Magnetic Stirrer 04638 00 Surface 4 75" x 4 75" | eBay

 

[rowdyplace]

Thank you both for the suggestions on the a simple homemade version as well as the links. I am definitely going to be giving this a shot for the time being... and rowdyplace... how well has yours held up, or how long have you been running it using it for...as far as time increments?

I mix about 100 mL a week. I just let it spin for about 2 hours... I built this about 6 months ago.

The fan came from an old PC along with a magnet from inside an old hard disk drive that you glue to the fan. The wooden box came from the kid's old toy junk box (a cigar box would do).

The speed controller i bought from eBay - $6.00 - 12V 40V 10A Pulse Width Modulator PWM DC Motor Speed Control Switch 13kHz US | eBay (there are others that will work just as well).

The "wall wart" is a 12 volt dc 1 amp from the junk box...

These items, along with a cheap glue gun will get you going.

You will need a magnetic spinner bar. - $2.00 - 1" Magnetic Stirrer Bar Stir Mixer Bars PTFE Coated Lab Spin Spinner Flask | eBay is similiar to the ones I bought.
You can make your own with a small bar magnet, a piece of a cheap "hotel" ball point pen, and some hot glue to seal it.

 

[The Cloud Prospector]

Sure enough I did have two old hard drives laying around and a perfect spare power supply for the 12V 40V 10A Pulse Width Modulator PWM DC Motor Speed Control Switch 13kHz that you suggested. I ended up ordering a speed control switch last night and have to pick it up from Granger tomorrow. Hopefully ill be done by tomorrow night and can see how well this one ends up working. Six months is quite a long time, even if your only running for 2 hours a week, I suppose there isn't much that can go wrong unless the fan or speed control fails. Anyway thanks for the links, you made a world of a difference, especially since my new one wont be here for three weeks!

Thanks again rowdy

 

[The Cloud Prospector]

If I were in the market for one, I would snag a used one on eBay. For example:

Tested VG Conition Cole Parmer Magnetic Stirrer 04638 00 Surface 4 75" x 4 75" | eBay

That is ridiculously inexpensive.... I think I might order one just to have somewhere else to set my liquid, good call

 

[rowdyplace]

Sure enough I did have two old hard drives laying around and a perfect spare power supply for the 12V 40V 10A Pulse Width Modulator PWM DC Motor Speed Control Switch 13kHz that you suggested. I ended up ordering a speed control switch last night and have to pick it up from Granger tomorrow. Hopefully ill be done by tomorrow night and can see how well this one ends up working. Six months is quite a long time, even if your only running for 2 hours a week, I suppose there isn't much that can go wrong unless the fan or speed control fails. Anyway thanks for the links, you made a world of a difference, especially since my new one wont be here for three weeks!

Thanks again rowdy

Thanks for the kind words and remember...that little fan had already been in use for about 4 years and it's still spinning.