What is your experience with the Thames & Cosmos Chemistry sets?

[Hannah]

The Thames & Kosmos Chemistry sets (C500, C1000, C3000, etc) are now available in South Africa (at more than double the price they sell for in the USA) and I'm wondering if it is worth getting a set.

Edited December 5, 2010 by Hannah
Error in name

[Guest]

Dh, a chemist, is using 3000 with dd right now. He says it's fine, but that the equipment is cheap and you need to know how to fiddle to fix it sometimes, or substitute proper equipment (which he brings from the lab). There is very little explanation; dh provides that, and chemical equations.

 

This is similar to what I have found with other kits: if they are affordable and do not include real lab quality materials, you'll end up with a lot of frustration at times when things don't quite work.

 

However, most of the time that's what we've got to work with, and somehow we have to make do.

[Hannah]

Thanks for the feedback KarenAnne.

It might be worth ordering the lab quality equipment from a local company. I'm going to contact them for a price list tomorrow.

[Guest]

So far dh says that proper titration equipment has made the biggest difference in the labs going smoothly. He's also used substitutes for the little alcohol burner a couple of times: a hot plate and/or a propane torch.

[swimmermom3]

Karen, it is a relief to hear your husband's opinion on the T&K kits. We have two: Chem 2000 and the Power House. We won't be spending the money again no matter how tempting the topic. Ds wanted to do chemistry last year, so we purchased Noeo Chemistry III which includes the kit. I had worked through Apologia Chemistry with an older child the year prior so maybe that colored my perception, but we felt that the directions were missing steps and we often had to go online to figure out what the purpose of an experiment was. I think the most annoying experience had to do with "limewater." I don't mind making inferences in science, but when it is all said and done, I want an answer, and explanation. Also, several of the experiments that were done with hazardous materials were the same experiments that I had done with the older child using household supplies. I am not a proponent of using things that require special disposal and are harmful to the environment when there are other materials available that demonstrate the concept and are safe to use.

 

Please don't even ask about the Power House (and I know the OP didn't). This should be an amazing kit and I do love the concept, but again, steps are missing and there are ambiguous directions. My dd (18) is helping her brother with it and making notes all over the directions when there are problems. I suspect she would like to send it to Thames & Kosmos.

 

OP: if you can spare the time, I would recommend looking for a good spine and putting together your own equipment. Good luck!

[Hannah]

OP: if you can spare the time, I would recommend looking for a good spine and putting together your own equipment. Good luck!

 

I think this may just be the route I'm going to take. I'm contacting a lab equipment and product supplier today for a price list and hope that they'll sell to the public.

[Guest]

Lisa, you just saved me the money for PowerHouse. Dd has been begging for it for a couple of years but I haven't yet taken the plunge. Now I'm glad I didn't -- thanks.