How to make ampoules from glass test tubes

In this video, I show how to make glass ampoules.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(when signing up with this link, a portion of your membership directly supports the channel)

Join the community:

You can also find me here:

[coolguyx]

I love watching old videos. He sounds so different.

[ravnulvthordnspyd]

You should use a graphite block to flatten the glass. Graphite is what glassblowers use to form the glass. And then you don't accidentally crack your beaker from heat shock.

[NIHILWR]

*fills ampule with Nitroglycerin*

Can't forget to shake it to make sure it's sealed 🙂

[Brooklynmeyer]

I have no idea why I would ever need to actually do this, but YouTube recommended it and I watched it still 😂

[sachiperez]

Great... Now i need to buy test tubes and find something to store in them. That looks fun!

[ColdFuse]

Pro Tip: Dip the pointy end of the ampule in some FLEX SEAL® LIQUID to prevent any leaking 😂😂😂

[JDeffenb]

That is very useful! You should do a series of videos where you make other pieces of useful laboratory glassware out if test tubes.

[MRG]

The importance of watching the entire video before commenting. LoL @1:44 you answered the questions I was writing. Damnit

[Amasarac]

If you don't anneal the glass it might just randomly check(break) while sitting on your shelf. Its better to just leave a pinpoint hole at the top, anneal then fill with a syringe then seal it. As a side note graphite aluminum or brass will be a far more suitable material to press against. get/make a polariscope and look at your ampoule and you will see the stress lines in the glass.

[scatteredinformation]

Thank you! I’ve been searching for this forever! Thank god I found your channel!

[theevilovenmit]

Concerning flattening,    you could make a jig to constrain the tube vertically so that the bottom is consistently flattened.

[RandomExperiments]

I used an ordinary propane torch and thick borosilicate test tubes. I was surprised to be able to store some bromine in such an ampule. And it didn't break even at room temperature.

[ZarKiiFreeman]

I thought you was making god damn lightbulbs out of test tubes because ampoule means lightbulb in my language lmao, would b pretty cool to see in the future doe

[xwavinghat]

Early wine bottles had the same issue when trying to stand up straight. A solution was found however and we now indent the bottoms of wine bottles to form a flat surface. So if you could find a small marble or something to form a little dome on the bottom it'd probably make your ampules a lot more stable and easier to form :)

[poloortiz]

Flat bottom ampoules aee a game changer, thanks Nile Red.

[fazleemonty]

Such ampoules are perfect to store air or moisture sensitive compounds, which usually sealed in controlled environment.

[Xanderviceory]

I love watching people who arent glass blowers working on glass :-) gives me mew appreciation for what I do. Keep experimenting nile

[giovannisacco]

Nice video. A question: I would like to put in ampoules a dry salt and inside it I want a nitrogen atmosphere. Any suggestion? I was thinking about doing the glass heating and melting with a rubber septa and a needle that flushes nitrogen.

[brqish]

I have a question. How would i effectively close a bubble level tubing. I need it for a repair.

[DutchPhlogiston]

Did you ever see cracks develop a while after making an ampoule, especially around the neck or flattened bottom?