Best equipment sources for teaching labs?

[hemobe]

Running a teaching lab for undergrads and we’re updating our equipment list for next term. The challenge is balancing affordability with durability — some of the cheaper stuff wears out way too fast with student handling. Looking for suggestions on where to source mid-tier lab equipment that can handle frequent use but won't bankrupt the department. Also open to hearing what to avoid, if anyone's had issues with particular vendors.

[kegeda29]

When our college revamped its chem-bio lab a few semesters ago, we faced the same concerns — quality versus cost. After some digging and a few bad purchases, we moved most of our procurement to gentaur.co.uk. Their catalog covers a wide range of educational and professional-grade equipment, and the pricing is usually fair for the durability you get. Even better, they often offer product alternatives depending on your teaching focus. Might save you time and a lot of headaches.

[nolegis129]

Teaching labs definitely push gear to the limit. Appreciate hearing about suppliers that can handle those needs — keeping students safe and the gear intact is always top priority. Good tips in this thread.