I'm browsing the Better Equipped site (https://www.betterequipped.co.uk) and in addition to regular glassware with ground glass connections they also offer glassware with ground glass
connections called "PLUS" jointed. Does anyone know what the PLUS stands for and how its different from the other stuff?
I think it is their own brand of Quickfit - I cant see any difference
Yes, maybe. I'll email them and ask.danton - 20-11-2020 at 02:56
So here's their reply to my enquiry:
"Thanks for the mail.
We have three brands of jointed glassware :
Glassco is basic economy range
Labglass mid range
And A PLUS premium range
All compatible with the brand ‘Quickfit’ which we don’t currently supply.
The A PLUS range is precision engineered which is why the price is much higher.
All brands should be fit for purpose."
Fery - 20-11-2020 at 07:23
I experienced something according the fitting of joints. Here I can buy a glass from local manufacturer (Simax), ground glass joints fit always
perfectly, very little of silicone grass and every connection perfectly tight and completely transparent for hours/days. I've also bought a glass from
china and the joints seem to fit well for the first sight, but when the temperature increases (e.g. distillation) I see the grass concentrating in one
half of the joint (where force applies) and second half of the joint on the opposite side contains mostly strait gap filled with air - joints seem to
be still tight enough and no signs of any leak, perhaps 1-2 mm ring where the grass is completely circularly is enough...
Anyway I switched from grass to ptfe sleeves for the Simax glass (would be better for no such good fitting Chinese joints).Fyndium - 20-11-2020 at 13:25
The only PLUS that comes in mind could be when cashing out their bonuses.
I do agree that some very cheap chinese joints have had some play with them, but the difference to DURAN glassware has so far been minor to
nonexistent. Nothing that a little paraffin grease wouldn't fix. I have had to apply some during vacuum distillations, but the very minor bubbling
stopped quickly when the glass settled. It's fun to think that stream of effervescence through ebulliator that is draw more fine than a strand of hair
expands into huge, multiple-cm sized bubbles.macckone - 20-11-2020 at 15:30
From my experience, there's not a lot of difference in terms of workability, but the main differences are in terms of regulations and labor laws of
the countries they are from, and the quality of the shipping and packaging. A box of Chinese joints will come packed in a box and wrapped in paper,
some may b broken, and the joints are rough cut. German joints come in a nicely packaged box with flame polished ends.
Also, in a way, some of all the glass is from China. As I don't think there are many other sources for the Boron necessary to make Borosilicate glass.
