Lye used to be commonly found as Red Devil Lye and can still be found in many places. But they have discontinued production of Red Devil Lye, so it is getting harder to find. But there are other sources for Sodium Hydroxide. Try the local chemical supply store, (look under 'Chemical Suppliers' in the phone book). I discussed LYE all through my book, but just because that has been the common catalyst. But using KOH flakes can be easier, so you might want to use KOH instead of NaOH.  Try to get the flakes as opposed to the beads as they dissolve much easier.

This is the catalyst we currently use. As of 3/2006 our price was about $50.00 for a 50 lb bag.  You can usually find this at the local chemical supply company in the phone book.  Or sometimes at a farm & ranch type store.

NOTE: We supply our customers with several online vendors that supply these chemicals.  And it requires no special permits to get it.   Anytime we hear of a better deal, we post that there also.  But this information is available ONLY to our customers who have bought a biodiesel processor.  It's available at: www.myezbiodiesel.com and REQUIRES a password.

We currently get our methanol from the same place we get our Lye from, the chemical supply company. As of 1/2008 our price is $250.00 for a 55 gallon barrel.

Methanol is commonly available at racetracks sold as racing fuel. We have bought it at a local go-kart track (professional karts). But you might find it at a dragstrip, circle track, etc.

Or call you local auto parts stores, or engine builders, hot rod shops etc, and ask if they know where you can buy methanol. 

You can look on the net for distributors of Sunoco Race Fuels. Or try ChemCentral -- buy chemicals online, or nationwide in the US. http://www.chemcentral.com/

Also try your local fuel suppliers. Short of that try chemical supply companies in the phone book.

Finally, if all else fails, try searching on the internet for keywords such as 'chemical supplier' 'potassium hydroxide', 'sodium hydroxide', etc.