By Admin (Admin) on Wednesday, April 18, 2001 - 10:05 am: Edit

Build the Cheapest "Glove" Box Possible

Items Required

Cardboard box (13"x15"x10")
Plastic wrap
Duct tape
Dish cloth
Disinfectant spray
Sharp knife or razor blade for cutting cardboard
Rubbing alcohol
No gloves

To raise the odds against contamination, a sterile work area is vital. This is especially true if you want to become independent of outside sources of sterile spore syringes. In a rush I threw together this glove box out of scrounged materials. It has worked so well that I haven't built my dream box yet. First find a clean cardboard box with the above dimensions as a minimum. It doesn't have to be new or pristine, just fairly new with no visible dust or dirt. Cut off the top opening flaps. Cut away the entire front of the box, leaving a 2 inch wide strip of cardboard at the top edge to attach the dish cloth to. Cover the top with plastic wrap and tape down the edges. Using duct tape, attach a dish cloth or towel across the front opening onto that 2 inch strip. The cloth should cover the entire opening of the front of the box like a curtain and you should be able to see into the box through the clear plastic wrap on top. That's it. To use the box, spray down your work surface with the disinfectant spray. Close off all drafts (windows, heater fans, etc). Spray outside of box lightly and saturate the dish cloth. Place bulky items into the box such as grain jars and agar plates. Spray disinfectant into the box until all of the air inside is displaced by the mist. Wash hands with rubbing alcohol and you are ready to work