Public Lab first began developing cheap spectrometers in the winter of 2010, after the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Since then [we've made enormous progress](/wiki/spectrometer-history) and have a variety of designs for less than $100, including:

* a [USB webcam based kit](http://store.publiclab.org/products/desktop-spectrometry-kit-3-0) ([plans](/wiki/dsk))
* a [molded plastic smartphone-based kit](http://store.publiclab.org/products/smartphone-spectrometer) ([plans](/wiki/smartphone-spectrometer))
* a very affordable [foldable papercraft kit](http://store.publiclab.org/products/foldable-mini-spectrometer) which attaches to a smartphone or webcam ([plans](/wiki/foldable-spec))

Of course, the plans for all of these are [on the Public Lab website](/wiki/spectrometer) and are open source hardware designs, so you can always make your own -- the kits are intended to help you get started.

You'll also need a frame to hold your sample container and align a laser beam perpendicular to your spectrometer. For that, we've developed the Beta Oil Testing Kit, an add-on to the Desktop Spectrometer v3.0 pictured here, attached:

[![IMG_20150521_145931_2.jpg](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/010/454/medium/IMG_20150521_145931_2.jpg)](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/010/454/original/IMG_20150521_145931_2.jpg)

If you [join the Beta testing program](/wiki/oil-testing-kit-beta), you can then sign up for [the add-on "Beta" Oil Testing Kit](http://store.publiclab.org/products/spectrometry-sampling-kit) (see [parts list](#Parts+list) to assemble your own) in combination with the existing [Desktop Spectrometry Kit](http://store.publiclab.org/products/desktop-spectrometry-kit), which is what was used in the examples on this page. See [this excellent research note](/notes/mathew/04-07-2015/assembling-the-oil-testing-kit-cuvette-frame
) for assembly instructions.

#Parts list

_In progress: these are links to where you can buy parts to assemble your own oil testing kit_

* Possible upgrade: nail polish bottles, with built-in bottlecap-swabs. An all-in-one, one-use pre-filled with mineral oil! Maybe you break off the swab and throw it away, or maybe it doesn't matter. 
  * http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/nail-polish-bottles_862081740.html?s=p
  * http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/10ml-empty-square-nail-polish-bottle_1042482910.html?s=p
  * http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/0-4oz-Art-Nail-Polish-Bottle_674230480.html

* http://www.ebottles.com/showbottles-bottle-1556-kw-ELIQUID_VIALS.htm
* http://www.ebottles.com/showbottles-bottle-1329-gclid-Cj0KEQjwopOeBRC1ndXgnuvx8JYBEiQAq4RPt_MBIoRstpRXJzK66iXV1lbaZ6J7TWOot8oR6wDas7QaAops8P8HAQ-kw-NAIL_POLISH_BOTTLES_WITH_BRUSHES___GLASS.htm
* http://www.freundcontainer.com/french-square-glass-bottles/p/v4225B01/
* 5oz mineral oil (baby oil -- the added fragrance doesn't fluoresce): $3 - http://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Baby-Oil-Kids-Ounce/dp/B000GCJM06/
* an eyedropper: $0.05 0 http://www.sciplus.com/p/CAP-WDROPPER_39038
* a 405nm blue/violet laser pen: [$3 from Alibaba](http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/700677050/well_tested_405_nm_blue_laser.html), or for purchasing singles [here](http://www.ebay.com/itm/2in1-5mw-Blue-Violet-Purple-Laser-Pointer-Pen-With-Star-Cap-405nm-Best-Selling-/301258047058)  Some people feel having the caps are useful for dispersing the laser when necessary so if you want more caps perhaps [this](http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-in-1-5mW-405nm-Violet-purple-Blue-Laser-Pointer-with-5-Patterns-Star-Caps-/371078275357) will be to your liking  
* 4 flat-sided jars: $0.35 each - http://www.sciplus.com/p/WHITCAP-BOTTLE_48212
* cotton swabs: $0.10
* olive oil test sample: $0.17
* paper instructions (yet to be made)