The BSH100-CU is a solid block blank for the BSH digital dry bath family — sold at $312 as a machinable aluminum blank for facilities / operators that need custom tube-well configurations beyond the standard BSH100-* block library. The block ships without wells as a thick aluminum stock that the facility (or contracted machine shop) can machine to custom-bore wells for non-standard tube formats, prototype workflows, or specialized vessel geometries.
Distinct from BSH100-01 (solid block for direct-contact heating, $124): the BSH100-01 is a finished workflow block with no wells (used as-is for direct-contact heating of beakers / flat items). The BSH100-CU is a machining blank intended for custom-bore well machining to create specialized tube-format blocks not available in the standard catalog.
Key Specifications
| SKU | BSH100-CU |
| Type | Solid aluminum blank block for custom machining |
| Wells | None — machinable blank |
| Compatible chassis | BSH dry bath family — fits standard BSH chassis block envelope |
| Sister BSH100-01 (different use) | Solid block ($124) — for direct-contact heating, not for custom machining |
| List price | $312 |
Why a Custom Machining Blank — Specialized Tube Formats
The standard BSH100-* block family covers common tube formats (PCR strips, 0.2 / 0.5 / 1.5 / 2.0 mL Eppendorf, 5 / 15 / 50 mL conical, autosampler vials, vacutainers). Specialized workflows may require non-standard tube wells — custom tube formats not in the standard catalog (specialty manufacturer tubes, specific OD / height combinations), multi-format blocks with wells for mixed-format protocol-specific layouts, prototype workflows in method development requiring rapid block iteration, and specialized vessel geometries such as micro-volume tubes, specialty cuvettes, or custom sample holders.
The BSH100-CU provides the machinable aluminum stock for facility / contracted machining of these specialized configurations.
Pick the BSH100-CU when:
- Workflow uses non-standard tube formats not covered by standard BSH100-* blocks
- Custom multi-format blocks for specialized protocol-specific layouts
- Method-development workflows requiring rapid prototype block iteration
- Specialty vessel geometry workflows
Pick BSH100-01 (finished solid block, $124) for direct-contact heating of flat-bottomed items — different use case, no machining intended.
Pick standard BSH100-* blocks for standard tube formats — much lower cost, immediate workflow availability.
Premium Pricing Rationale
The $312 price (vs $124 standard or $157 large-format blocks) likely reflects thicker / larger aluminum stock to support custom-bore machining without compromising thermal mass, manufacturer-grade aluminum quality suitable for precision machining, and a custom-machining-ready surface finish (which typically requires post-machining surface treatment).
Ordering & Configuration
Confirm machining service. The BSH100-CU is a blank — facility needs machining capability (in-house machine shop or contracted machinist) to bore custom wells.
Confirm intended tube format and well dimensions. Document required tube-well specs before machining (OD, depth, well-spacing, count).
Confirm thermal performance after machining. Custom-bore patterns may affect block thermal performance vs standard-pattern blocks; verify thermal contact and heat-up time empirically after machining.
Confirm at quote: chassis pairing, custom-machining service plan, intended tube-format specs, and lead time.
Warranty: Per Benchmark Scientific standard accessory terms — note: warranty may be void after operator machining; confirm warranty terms with Benchmark Scientific at order.
BSH solid-block accessory variants:
- BSH100-01 — Solid finished block for direct-contact heating ($124)
- BSH100-CU (this product) — Solid blank for custom machining ($312) — facility-machined custom tube wells
Pick the BSH100-CU as a machining blank for custom tube-format blocks; sister BSH100-01 covers direct-contact heating use without machining. See BSH1001 anchor for full BSH family detail.
