Klarinet Archive - Posting 000420.txt from 1996/01

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Acetone & Reeds
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 1996 09:15:53 -0500

Our primary use for acetone when I did research in college was as a
final rinse for our glassware: after you washed your glassware (especially
specialty glassware with odd shapes that didn't drain well), youd squirt it
with acetone, swish the acetone around, and dump out the excess. The
acetone esentially replaced the water, and then evaporated relatively
quickly! It will also dissolve some gunk that soap and water alone won't.
Those of you looking for more "fun things to do with acetone" (if
you've run out of toothbrushes):
Put some styrofoam peanuts into a beaker
Add some acetone

The styrofoam will dissolve (it's mostly air, anyway!), and you'll
be left with a hard plastic disk. I don't know if anyone has tried using
polystyrene as a reed coating, but it's fun to watch!

Acetone IS dangerous, and is suspected of causing liver cancer, as
well as other things, although I have heard some "old timers" lament the
fact that it is now so villified, and talk about the good old days when
they'd be up to their elbows in a sink full of acetone!
Boys and girls, don't try this at home!

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
Department of Biochemistry
School of Hygiene and Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
(410)-955-3631

SDM@-----.edu