I got this idea from u on that exact post 
Cheapest-best upgrade a small lab can make hands down 
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What panda are you guys using ? I got the small one and it lasted 2 days before alcohol found its way into the motor and leaked out the bottom.
Looking at buying a hobart now but its $$$
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Im using these ones
Panda 3200 rpm Portable Spin Dryer 110V/22lbs Stainless Steel SP22
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yeah that’s the one I had, RIP panda I know you have gone to a better place.
Like a liner for the panda
Did you remove the top of the panda to add ethanol while it’s spinning or do you simply pour a set ammount, close the lid and then turn it on?
Thank you @Demontrich
wow. that took a long time.
can’t say I’m surprised.
Is everyone OK?
do you know if they were spinning extracted biomass, or using it for a filter?
@PofH any chance you can document this in the salad spinner threads. Or even a thread of its own? there are a lot of folks using Panda’s, and letting folks know that it can happen is probably important information for this community
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He said he cut the lid around the groove, loaded it up, and it wobbled violently. Possibly unbalanced.
I just watched the washing machine mod video, seems much better. Now where to put a fn washer at?
Lol
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That sounds more like a mechanical failure than solvent + ignition source.
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Didnt mean actually explode/fire.
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Bother 
So much for using that as a marketing ploy…
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If u press hard with a fat screwdriver on those wires that the lid locks into they will get locked in and just leave the lid up. If u accidently close it, open it like normal with the button and redo the scrediver trick so u can start it with the lid open.
If i had it perfect i would have a stainless pipe with a shower head on it to spray the alcohol into it while the lid is closed, it would have a funnel attachedment or a hose barb for pressure feeding
That panda issue sounded like he didnt balance the biomass evenly, u can tell within 2 seconds if u need to fix it or not…
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Yes I can. Basically don’t do it. You need the top for the structural support.
@cyclopath I am fine.
To add more info. It’s a very simple hack, use a solder iron to melt the plastic or a couple of knives and apply heat:
Melt the plastic and follow the inner ring.
Volia
There a pin which is essentially the safety that is the trigger when the lid is down. You can just throw that away.
You still have the handle to turn it on, and trottle the speed.
Structure and why not to do this.
It is no apparent but when the lid is closed it make the unit structurally integral. Think about a soda can verus a thin aluminum cup, the can you can probably stand on it and the cup with collapse.
The incident.
Cyro ethanol wash in bubble bags and then remove the bubble bag with plant material, remove as much ethanol as I can and place in the Panda. Ran the panda, no lid, got up to speed and looked perfectly balance, then BAM, the top flew across the room and the hand to another part of the room. The bottom also came off.
Possible solutions you can hold it but the panda spins very fast or you can throttle it turn it on and off, but be careful, or build a brace of some sort.
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I cut mine the same way w some muscle and a husky knife new blade each panda
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You can completely remove the entire plastic lid and tape down the button on the bottom so it stays on, and just plug and unplug it. Its the only way to keep it clean(ish) Just be sure it’s balanced, and keep the EtOH cold so there’s no explosive vapor.
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I would suggest putting that on a power strip with a switch. I used to unplug running equipment all the time on job sites without incident. Until I finally had an incident and almost burned down the damn building (and fried the cord on the air compressor). It’s unlikely it will happen, but a power strip would be a cheap way to ensure it doesn’t happen.
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Agreed, a switch is better. Keeping it cryo and lots of ventilation makes the Panda somewhat safe I believe.
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