**Welcome!** This page includes full instructions to assembling the [Public Lab Desktop Spectrometry Kit](http://store.publiclaboratory.org/products/desktop-spectrometry-kit).

#####[Preorder one from our store](http://store.publiclaboratory.org/products/desktop-spectrometry-kit) (shipping Feb 2013)

This page is being actively improved, so be sure to check back soon to see if more content has been added.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreywarren/8247399028/" title="Public Lab Desktop Spectrometry Kit by jeferonix, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8203/8247399028_8b24a3d14f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Public Lab Desktop Spectrometry Kit"></a>

##Getting Started

The 1-page instruction sheet which shipped with your spectrometer remains the best documentation to date on how to assemble it. Download a new copy here: 

**[desktop-kit-instructions-0.2.pdf](https://publiclab.org/sites/default/files/desktop-kit-instructions-0.2.pdf)** (100 kB)

###Using your spectrometer

Once you've assembled your spectrometer and are ready to use it, plug it in and visit [SpectralWorkbench.org](https://spectralworkbench.org) to begin recording data with it. The web-based software works in the **Chrome and Opera browsers** with more coming soon.

###(Peer) Support

Public Lab is not a corporation, we're an open community of DIY environmental science researchers which you have just joined! The best place to get help is the spectrometry mailing list; to join, [register on this site](/user/register) and be sure to check the "plots-spectrometry" box.

The spectrometry mailing list is made up of people like you, who are building and improving open source spectrometry techniques. Ask questions, look for help, and consider helping others too!

###Resources

* more [Assembly instructions](/wiki/spectrometer-construction)
* [Using the software](/wiki/spectral-workbench-usage)
* [Background about the project](/tool/spectrometer)
* peer-contributed [research on open source spectrometry](/notes/spectrometer)

###Assembly photos

...coming soon!

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreywarren/8277432503/" title="Desktop Spectrometer Kit assembly by jeferonix, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8277432503_98fc18cb40.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Desktop Spectrometer Kit assembly"></a>



<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreywarren/8277431773/" title="Desktop Spectrometer Kit assembly by jeferonix, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8058/8277431773_b43e90626c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Desktop Spectrometer Kit assembly"></a>



<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreywarren/8278490346/" title="Desktop Spectrometer Kit assembly by jeferonix, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8210/8278490346_da345b74b6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Desktop Spectrometer Kit assembly"></a>



<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreywarren/8277432203/" title="Desktop Spectrometer Kit assembly by jeferonix, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8277432203_a37d9eae09.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Desktop Spectrometer Kit assembly"></a>



<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreywarren/8278490012/" title="Desktop Spectrometer Kit assembly by jeferonix, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8278490012_2c52a200b5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Desktop Spectrometer Kit assembly"></a>