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Product Description
From the Manufacturer
CHEM C3000 is the ultimate chemistry kit. By performing 360 fascinating and fun experiments in a complete and well-balanced curriculum, you will learn first-hand every fundamental principle of this essential science, and more. CHEM C3000 includes all this and much more.
Product Description
A fab lab. More than fun and games, this quality set presents the basic principles of chemistry through 360 fascinating experiments, from building a mini fire extinguisher to writing with invisible ink. Use an alcohol burner and explore the chemical consequences of heat, move on to the periodic table. Includes everything from test tubes to copper wire to litmus paper, plus step-by-step instructions for safe experimentation.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
93 of 94 people found the following review helpful
By Sliderulex
Durability:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Educational:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I have a couple of chemistry sets, such as the Microchem 5000, which is a surprisingly in-depth set. But this set, the Chem3000 is the best chemistry set I have ever seen, or used. The manual, coupled with the actual labware makes this set a serious tool for a budding chemist, or for someone who really wants to learn some general chemistry but doesn't have the time or resources to go to college.
As regards not being to get the Sodium Hydroxide, you can get it from Unitednuclear.com, and Homesciencetools.com sells both Hydrochloric acid and Sodium hydroxide. Both sites sell other chemicals too, so you won't have a problem getting the necessary chemicals. Also, many hardware stores sell Hydrochloric acid (they call it Muriatic acid), as well as Sulfuric acid (battery acid). So, getting the necessary chemicals is not as hard as it may seem.
Like the guy before me, I have a nostalgia bug too, and the Chem3000 fills that niche very nicely. I consider this chemistry set to be the finest ever made. The only way I think it could be improved (for the price) would be to add more chemical reaction information in their already really good manual.
If you want to learn chemistry but never got around to it, this is the set to buy.
As regards not being to get the Sodium Hydroxide, you can get it from Unitednuclear.com, and Homesciencetools.com sells both Hydrochloric acid and Sodium hydroxide. Both sites sell other chemicals too, so you won't have a problem getting the necessary chemicals. Also, many hardware stores sell Hydrochloric acid (they call it Muriatic acid), as well as Sulfuric acid (battery acid). So, getting the necessary chemicals is not as hard as it may seem.
Like the guy before me, I have a nostalgia bug too, and the Chem3000 fills that niche very nicely. I consider this chemistry set to be the finest ever made. The only way I think it could be improved (for the price) would be to add more chemical reaction information in their already really good manual.
If you want to learn chemistry but never got around to it, this is the set to buy.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
I have not bought or seen the Thames & Kosmos C3000, but I have recently set up a customized home chemistry lab like the one I had when I was a kid, and I base my rating (5 stars) for the C3000 on the list of equipment and the price. You should refer to other reviews for actual experience with this chemistry set; I am writing to share some of what I have learned in setting up my own home lab.
There is a lot of moaning on the internet about the way that fears of lawsuits and liability have led to the demise of the old-fashioned chemistry set, and about the poor quality and educational value of what typically passes nowadays for a "chemistry set". Many of these seem to be so "safe" that all excitement and learning has been drained out of them. See also the book "Uncle Tungsten" by Oliver Sacks. Some of the lesser Thames & Kosmos sets may fall into this category, and by the reviews I judge that they do. But the C3000 looks to me like it is a good start on recovering the experience offered by the classic Gilbert and Chemcraft chemistry sets of the 50's and 60's, especially in view of the price. While $212 might seem like a lot for a chemistry set, it is considerably less than you would pay if you ordered the same chemicals and pieces of equipment individually. Also, for those of you considering using this for home schooling, I would offer the opinion that it would be worth it to invest even more, and consider something like the $500 chemistry set offered by HMS Beagle, or by expanding on what is offered in the C3000 by purchasing extra supplies. The top-line Gilbert chemistry sets of the 1930's cost something like $40 (I think), which in inflated dollars must be more than $225 now. Besides, for home schooling you probably want something more than what any chemistry set offers.
There are some complaints that the C3000 doesn't have all the chemicals you will need to do all the experiments in their manual. I think that's inevitable, given the price. In any case, if you or your young chemists have any interest in the subject it is likely that you will want to expand beyond the limits of the C3000. I suggest that you get a copy of "The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments" (out of print, but available as a pdf file for free download, just google on it). I also have the manual for the Gilbert Chemistry Set from the 1930's which has hundreds of experiments and lots of general information. These can give you ideas for experiments. Robert Bruce Thompson's book "Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments" has a lot of up-to-date and useful information on setting up a lab, as well as a series of advanced high school or college level experiments. It covers topics such as safety and disposal of chemical waste that you will want to know about. I also recommend the videos by Nurdrage on youtube, which are very educational and interesting, although there are two instances where I wish he had restrained his language. Apart from that they are the best chemistry videos on Youtube.
As for ordering extra chemicals and equipment, I have used a combination of United Nuclear, HMS Beagle, Sargent-Welch, and Elemental Scientific. None of these covered all my needs, and I have shopped around. I started by concentrating on some particular experiments I wanted to do, and then ordering the equipment needed for those, and then moving on to new experiments.
Mineral acids (hydrochloric, sulfuric and nitric) and strong bases (sodium, potassium and concentrated ammonium hydroxide) are the main chemicals needed for serious chemistry that are omitted from chemistry sets (although the HMS Beagle advanced kit does include some of them). Companies such as Sargent-Welch will not ship these to individuals, only to schools or businesses. Robert Bruce Thompson explains how sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid are currently available at the hardware store as drain cleaners, and also how to get hydrochloric acid. Nitric acid is the most difficult to obtain, but it may be available locally (for a price, that's how I got mine), or else try HMS Beagle. See also RBT's videos on Youtube on lab safety.
There is a lot of moaning on the internet about the way that fears of lawsuits and liability have led to the demise of the old-fashioned chemistry set, and about the poor quality and educational value of what typically passes nowadays for a "chemistry set". Many of these seem to be so "safe" that all excitement and learning has been drained out of them. See also the book "Uncle Tungsten" by Oliver Sacks. Some of the lesser Thames & Kosmos sets may fall into this category, and by the reviews I judge that they do. But the C3000 looks to me like it is a good start on recovering the experience offered by the classic Gilbert and Chemcraft chemistry sets of the 50's and 60's, especially in view of the price. While $212 might seem like a lot for a chemistry set, it is considerably less than you would pay if you ordered the same chemicals and pieces of equipment individually. Also, for those of you considering using this for home schooling, I would offer the opinion that it would be worth it to invest even more, and consider something like the $500 chemistry set offered by HMS Beagle, or by expanding on what is offered in the C3000 by purchasing extra supplies. The top-line Gilbert chemistry sets of the 1930's cost something like $40 (I think), which in inflated dollars must be more than $225 now. Besides, for home schooling you probably want something more than what any chemistry set offers.
There are some complaints that the C3000 doesn't have all the chemicals you will need to do all the experiments in their manual. I think that's inevitable, given the price. In any case, if you or your young chemists have any interest in the subject it is likely that you will want to expand beyond the limits of the C3000. I suggest that you get a copy of "The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments" (out of print, but available as a pdf file for free download, just google on it). I also have the manual for the Gilbert Chemistry Set from the 1930's which has hundreds of experiments and lots of general information. These can give you ideas for experiments. Robert Bruce Thompson's book "Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments" has a lot of up-to-date and useful information on setting up a lab, as well as a series of advanced high school or college level experiments. It covers topics such as safety and disposal of chemical waste that you will want to know about. I also recommend the videos by Nurdrage on youtube, which are very educational and interesting, although there are two instances where I wish he had restrained his language. Apart from that they are the best chemistry videos on Youtube.
As for ordering extra chemicals and equipment, I have used a combination of United Nuclear, HMS Beagle, Sargent-Welch, and Elemental Scientific. None of these covered all my needs, and I have shopped around. I started by concentrating on some particular experiments I wanted to do, and then ordering the equipment needed for those, and then moving on to new experiments.
Mineral acids (hydrochloric, sulfuric and nitric) and strong bases (sodium, potassium and concentrated ammonium hydroxide) are the main chemicals needed for serious chemistry that are omitted from chemistry sets (although the HMS Beagle advanced kit does include some of them). Companies such as Sargent-Welch will not ship these to individuals, only to schools or businesses. Robert Bruce Thompson explains how sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid are currently available at the hardware store as drain cleaners, and also how to get hydrochloric acid. Nitric acid is the most difficult to obtain, but it may be available locally (for a price, that's how I got mine), or else try HMS Beagle. See also RBT's videos on Youtube on lab safety.
76 of 87 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
Very good kit. However,it does not contain all the materials needed and the required additional solutions are almost impossible to get hold of these days (like sodium hydroxide - lye, because it is used by crack labs). Since these solutions are needed for many experiments and are illegal to mail, a large part of the experiments are not possible to do. This is a significant drawback.
The experiments need close adult supervision and involve open flames, boiling solutions, hydrochloric acid, etc. and are not for younger children or the fainthearted parent. There is limited explanation in the manual about chemistry, so a supplemental text or course would be best to get an understanding of why the reactions happen.
That said, our daughter loves the kit and it is complete, well organized and of excellent quality.
The experiments need close adult supervision and involve open flames, boiling solutions, hydrochloric acid, etc. and are not for younger children or the fainthearted parent. There is limited explanation in the manual about chemistry, so a supplemental text or course would be best to get an understanding of why the reactions happen.
That said, our daughter loves the kit and it is complete, well organized and of excellent quality.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
I wish I could have it.
Love it. Love so much. But I can't afford for it. Hope have it next year. Can't wait for next year.
Published 3 months ago by Kyle
3.0 out of 5 stars
CHEM C3000 - Mediocre
When I opened the CHEM C3000 kit, I was dissappointed: There were far fewer chemicals than what I was hoping for. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Paul Carman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chemistry Set is Pretty Good
This is a good chemistry set. It has a manual with in-depth instructions and explains the why's and how's of chemistry. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Kenny
4.0 out of 5 stars
Zombie Apocalypse
First of all I must compliment them on a well thought out chemistry kit. Unfortunately my son turned out to be a bit on the mad side. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Veth
5.0 out of 5 stars
very good value
This is for my 12 yr. old grandson . He was thrilled with this item. It had so many peices and the instructions were easy
Published 19 months ago by pigpurple
1.0 out of 5 stars
Truly pathetic excuse for a chemistry set... no chemical formulas at...
Truly pathetic excuse for a chemistry set... no chemical formulas at all.
I am truly disappointed with this poor excuse for a chemistry set. Read more
I am truly disappointed with this poor excuse for a chemistry set. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Carlos
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great set, but wish it came with all required items.
Love the chem set. Frustratingly difficult to find the items need for doing the experiments, like oil for burner and other items listed in book, that are not included with set.
Published on February 1, 2010 by Lakebreeze
5.0 out of 5 stars
Haven't bought it, but researched the contents and I want it
* Experiment Manual
* Eight Test Tubes
* Two Pipettes
* Sodium Bisulfate
* Sodium Carbonate
* Potassium Hexacyanoferrate(II)
* Ammonium Iron(III)... Read more
* Eight Test Tubes
* Two Pipettes
* Sodium Bisulfate
* Sodium Carbonate
* Potassium Hexacyanoferrate(II)
* Ammonium Iron(III)... Read more
Published on December 26, 2009 by J. Burger
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Item
We are enjoying this item. It really is not a toy though. We are learning a lot. The only con about this item I have found so far is it does not have a case. Read more
Published on September 12, 2009 by Amy N. Ullmark
5.0 out of 5 stars
My 11 yr old LOVES it!
We got this for my sons 11th birthday, we had been wanting a chemistry set. We compared sets and looked at reviews and decided this one was a good one. Read more
Published on September 12, 2009 by Lisa
