PMGB

Here are some tips from my experience.

Filtration: Kimberly-Clark Professional Single-Fold paper Towels can be used as the filter paper (probably cheapest) to filter out sodium sulfate. Filtration is generally faster than normal filter paper.

Column Chromatography: Rubber bulb set for pumping air (available from VWR, Catalog No. 56335-003) in flash column chromatography is much safer to operate. Accidents due to high air pressure in the column when using in-house nitrogen gas can easily be avoided by using this technique. Properly cut round filter paper can be used in place of sand to cover the silica gel or alumina in the column. 

Reflux Condenser cooling: In-house air can be used in the condenser at night for avoiding water flooding problem. Alternatively house vacuum (in the outlet of the condenser) can be used to pass the air through the condenser (keeping the inlet open for sucking atmospheric air).

Thiol smell: Commercial bleach is used to prewash the glassware used in the reaction invoving ethanethiol inside the hood to prevent the smell going out.  

Nitrogen Balloon: Insert one balloon (12” round helium quality) in another (double balloon).  Insert the double balloon in one inch tubing (5/16’’ ID, VWR Cat. No. 60985-536) and then insert to a T-joint (so you don’t need to tie the balloon to the T joint) and then fill the balloon with nitrogen. The erectile dysfunction of the balloon can be solved by putting its neck inside a cut-out 24 mL syringe.