[DIYbio] Re: PCR Heat Blocks

1) Yes, normally people just buy used thermocyclers. I love the effort to make open source ones though, check out the OpenPCR project if you haven't already.

2) N/A

3) Yes, they likely would. Put together a protocol to do. 

-Koeng

On Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 8:35:00 PM UTC-8, Trenton Adams wrote:

I'm looking at putting together a thermal cycler all cheap like. The problem I've run into is finding a heat block for the tubes. I've found them online for $100+ for a professionally made one, or making a substandard one out of scrap aluminum and best effort drilling. I'm not really happy with either of these solutions. And started doing some online searching. I found the link to the GaudiLabs Drill bit diagram from these forums, but no way to directly purchase one.  So this leads me to a few questions.

1.) Am I missing something? In other words is there a cheaper place to purchase heat blocks, the drill-bit, or another method that would work well?

2.) If the answer to #1 is nope. Is this a problem that others are running into? If so how are other's solving it?

3.) If there just aren't any good solutions or alternatives, is this something that the community would be interested in if I spent the time to come up with a solution?  

Thanks!