Where to get condees crystals?

[Waldo]

G'day,

After consulting with Neil of UBeaut at the Melb WW show he pointed me in the direction of condees crystals. Tried to find them at a local chemist but for some dumb p/c reason they no longer stock them, haven't for ages and haven't been able to find them as many people ask for them.

Can anyone point me in the direction of where in Melb' I can get some or anywhere else?

SWMBO wanted to stain some chairs with poly, but then you get the chances of nasty runs, bubbles etc. so I said that I'd get some wax etc. and get the walnut finish she's after.

I've got the polish to finish it, just not the cystals, so if you can help me out thast'd be great because until the two chairs are done they're taking up valuable space in the shed - and that's a no no, and a Code violation. :)

[bennylaird]

Might be under Potassium Permangenate as that's what it is?

Chemists should know where to get them unless they gave up selling due to us as kids mixing it with glycerine to see the fire works:D :D :D

[Waldo]

G'day Benny,

Thanks for that, I'll chase it up and see what happens.

[AlexS]

Used to be able to get it from Selby's, don't know if they still exist.

[Waldo]

G'day Alex,

Where were they? I've tried doing a search for them, and not knowing who, what and where they are I've drawn a blank.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

As has been said, Condy's Xtals AKA Potassium Permanganate.

I used to buy mine direct from the local chemist, to play with my chem set but times have changed and I'm having a hard time even getting Pyrex from him now, let alone basic chemicals. :(


The only Aussie supplier I've managed to find so far is: Online Pharmacy (http://www.onlinepharmacy.com.au/catalogue.asp?/pharmacy/30444-crystal.html) and they're only selling in max lots of 50g. Haven't tried 'em myself, don't like online shopping and that's just not enough for me... I want 10 times that! :mad:

[Gra]

I am sure there is a George Bush joke here somewhere.....:D:D

When you do find a good source let us all know, I have a great book with a number of old formulas, some of these contain these

[China]

Waldo, try a chemical supplier ( yellow Pages) I get them from Ace chemicals, as far as I know they are only a S. A. company, or you may try a compounding chemist.

[watson]

G'day Waldo,
I got some through my chemist not more than a month ago.
It came from
Biotech Pharmaceuticals
83 Cherry Lane
Laverton North 3026.
I got it specifically to add to Glycerine for the fireworks (I had a deprived childhood) and it was fantastic!!
What staining method did you get off Neil, as I've got a fair bit left.
Regards,
Noel

[duckman]

G'day Alex,

Where were they? I've tried doing a search for them, and not knowing who, what and where they are I've drawn a blank.

G'day Waldo,

Selby's used to be on Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill. I can't tell you if they are still there though.


Cheers,

Mark.

[echnidna]

Try a rural supplies.

[Coldamus]

I believe that potassium permanganate is now a restricted substance due to being an ingredient in self-igniting incendiaries. That is probably why it was only available in very small quantities.

It is not dangerous by itself - only when mixed with another common substance - not glycerine but close!

regards
Coldamus

[Ramps]

Waldo

... "Biolab Scientific purchased Selby Scientific Limited in Australia and New Zealand from F.H. Faulding & Co. This formed the largest scientific distributor in Australasia and the Pacific."

http://www.biolabgroup.com/

ciao

[Waldo]

G'day,

Thanks to everyone who helped out with ideas on where to find the stuff. You've given me a few leads which I'll look into.

With a bit of joy I'll find a source.

[ubeaut]

Might also try the local high school chemistry or science lab. They are often a good source of Potassium Bichromate as well. Selby was the one I was trying to think of at the show.

[Waldo]

G'day,

Well after a lot of ringing around and asking I've finally found a supplier: The Meadows Produce Store, 161 Canterbury Road, Kilsyth. 9761 4506.

Which is very local for me, so woohoo! :)

They sell it in 1kg bags for $23.50.

So my next question. How much to use and ratio to water to stain two chairs?

SWMBO has been on my back for weeks on this telling me she wants the chairs done before Christams, "Yes beautiful I will", I say - you get the idea. ;)

[conwood]

Mrs Condee.

[Waldo]

Mrs Condee.

G'day Conwood,

No, Mrs Waldo.

[craigb]

G'day,

Well after a lot of ringing around and asking I've finally found a supplier: The Meadows Produce Store, 161 Canterbury Road, Kilsyth. 9761 4506.

Which is very local for me, so woohoo! :)

They sell it in 1kg bags for $23.50.

So my next question. How much to use and ratio to water to stain two chairs?

SWMBO has been on my back for weeks on this telling me she wants the chairs done before Christams, "Yes beautiful I will", I say - you get the idea. ;)

A few grams should do it. :eek:

I think you've got a lifetime supply. :D

[Ramps]

Waldo
thanks for the feedback
Must think to look in a produce/stockfeed store for them next time, they prob use them to treat horses or stock
Ta

[MurrayD99]

I believe that potassium permanganate is now a restricted substance due to being an ingredient in self-igniting incendiaries. That is probably why it was only available in very small quantities.

It is not dangerous by itself - only when mixed with another common substance - not glycerine but close!

regards
Coldamus

Yes indeed. I know the answer to this question. Very satisfactory in the right proportions. Not powerful enought to get you into orbit but not bad at all. Now a 23Kg sack of it.... That would make a decent purple stain across the veldt.... By the way; I don't think you can buy blasting fuse anymore either....

[Waldo]

By the way; I don't think you can buy blasting fuse anymore either....

G'day MurrayD99,

I can get some caps and fuses through my farmer FIL who has an explosives licence. ;) But he can be a bit tight with things like that. :(

Anyway, so what's the ratio of how much crystal to water?

[coastie]

If you have got someone you hate or intensely dislike,put it in a brown paper bag,and lob it into his swimming pool.:eek:

[MurrayD99]

G'day MurrayD99,

I can get some caps and fuses through my farmer FIL who has an explosives licence. ;) But he can be a bit tight with things like that. :(

Anyway, so what's the ratio of how much crystal to water?


I never used it for any purpose except making loud bangs (or sometimes lots of smoke if you got the mix wrong).

Sorry, Waldo, can't help with your recipe. Fizzzzzzzzzzzzzz!:confused:

[Iain]

If you have got someone you hate or intensely dislike,put it in a brown paper bag,and lob it into his swimming pool.:eek:

Far tooooooo many politicians, couldn't afford it;)

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

1tsp. per litre is a suitable wash for wood. :)

I just confused the bejeezus outta Waldo with a PM saying 1 tsp. per quart. :o

From the Woodworkers Gazette:
Staining Blotch-prone Woods (http://www.woodworking.org/WC/GArchive99/7_17mcnamarart.html)
Homemade Stains & Colourants (http://www.woodworking.org/WC/Garchive01/3_27colorants.html)

(just to add the info to the forum's knowledge base for all to access... ;))

Try mixing a small portion (like, half an aspirin's worth) 50:50 with glucose and see what happens. Who needs matches?

[Waldo]

G'day Skew,

Yeah be nice to Waldo, I get confused very easily. ;) :D

[Waldo]

Try mixing a small portion (like, half an aspirin's worth) 50:50 with glucose and see what happens. Who needs matches?

So I've got 100g to do my chairs. I'm getting 1kg next Friday, so 50:50 with glucose makes a very big noise? :D

If you see a mushroom cloud over Kilsyth, it's a bit like Jericho and I've blown the hell out of me shed and everything else around me. :D insert evil laugh. ;)

[Iain]

No, just a fairly intense sort of bubbling fire, rub the mixture on your hands on a cold day to warm them up;)

[Ramps]

Waldo
You've got me interested
be good to post a before and after photo so we can see the effect of potassium permanganate crystals on wood.
Having used it on skin (human and dog), in water for sterilization and with various other things to make pops, bangs and fizzes I'd like to see the staining effect on wood.
Ta

[Waldo]

G'day Ramps,

No problems, just let me re-charge the camera batteries and I'll post a before and after, tomorrow.