Magnetic stirring apparatus

An improved magnetic stirring apparatus capable of suspending solids in a liquid medium comprising: a vessel for containing fluids and solids, having walls, a bottom, and an opening; a stirrer having a magnetic impeller and a shaft, a means for rotating the magnetic impeller; and a closure; wherein the improvement is characterized by: (a) the shaft having; (i) an upper portion; and (ii) a narrower lower portion; an upper bearing surface being formed where the lower portion extends outwardly to the upper portion; (b) an elongated shaft support member which (i) is attached to the closure; and (ii) has an aperture dimensioned and configured to receive the lower shaft portion and allow free rotation, opposed aperture margins forming a lower bearing surface; and (c) a sling bearing formed by the upper bearing surface engaging the lower bearing surface in the direction of the vessel bottom, thereby suspending the stirrer.