Hacker News Reader

The link says 90% isopropyl alcohol but I've seen many instructions that suggest using a high percentage methyl alcohol is better. But methyl alcohol is quite toxic if you get it on your skin it can be absorbed and cause many problems (blindness for one).

I've never built one but it's always something I plan on building.

View on HN

Isopropyl alcohol works well if it is of high purity (we use 96% I think). Methyl alcohol would be a really dangerous choice.

Yes I'd certainly use isopropyl alcohol. I'm pretty sure I can get it with a purity of 95% or more at my local pharmacy.

Dry ice is the other problem it's not something readily available in my town. I don't think regular ice is cold enough especially when using isopropyl alcohol which isn't as volatile as methyl alcohol (methanol).

Reply on news.ycombinator.com