[Kirk Keyes]

Now just to find the ether - I'm imagining that that won't be a hardware store find ... does anybody here in the US know of where to get ether other than a chem. supplier?

Most chemical supply places will think you are making illegal drugs if you ask for ether. SO I suggest you go, not to the hardware store, but the auto parts store. Look for "starting fluid" - it's usually ether. Check the label for "diethyl ether".

It is very flammable. And it has narcotic properties. So be careful!See:http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/E2340.htm