MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

Having been bitten by the Rocking Microtome bug due to Seb's post: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=668

I went and jumped into the deep end.

Bought on ebay in England, it is on its way to Germany, where I hope a friend of mine will bring it out to me in about 6 months when he comes to visit.
I say hope because I just found out it weighs about 10 Kg!

Hoping some wire wool, a little vinegar and a little oil will do the trick. Bought it to use it.

Very interesting! I hope you will post photos of it when it eventually arrives.

Thanks Eddie, will do.
This is one way to make 6 months seem like a very long time. :)

Decided to go for an Original Cambridge Rocking Microtome for several reasons.
Firstly a couple of people have mentioned the advantage of the extra screws that hold the knife, secondly I have a soft spot for well made old things, and thirdly it was cheaper than a new one.
All it needs to do now is work. I Have my fingers crossed.

Link to Original Cambridge Rocking Microtome manual: http://goo.gl/fkwpCJ

Here is a link to an interesting article called "A Method of Obtaining Uniplanar Sections with the Ordinary Rocking Microtome": http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article ... 6-0086.pdf

Aha - my Brunel has just arrived (see my post) and it's got the extra screws for the knife-angle adjustment! Yours is a beauty - you'll never be able to wait that long for it!

Yours is a beauty - you'll never be able to wait that long for it! :D

I think you are right on both counts. :) :(

75RR wrote:

Yours is a beauty - you'll never be able to wait that long for it!

I think you are right on both counts.

You neeeeed it now! Make the call - delivery in 2 days is essential!!
Go on - you must - don't leave me to blunder about alone!

Enjoy!

Go on - you must - don't leave me to blunder about alone!

Just a few problems with that.

1) Blew my budget on this already.
2) I am not in Darkest Peru - but I am not far from there!
3) It weighs 10 + Kg That means serious postal charges!

Congratulations! Ive tried to the extent possible to stay away from this forum lest I should contract the extremely contagious RM Fever .

gekko wrote:Congratulations! Ive tried to the extent possible to stay away from this forum lest I should contract the extremely contagious RM Fever .

Nice try - it's coming for you too........

gekko wrote:Ive tried to the extent possible to stay away from this forum lest I should contract the extremely contagious RM Fever .

Same here!

Ive tried to the extent possible to stay away from this forum lest I should contract the extremely contagious RM Fever

Same here!

"The rocking microtome was invented by Sir Horace Darwin (1851-1928), the son of Charles Darwin."

I am impressed by your ability to resist the temptation to own/use such an instrument.

Here's a quick picture of my very first 6µ ribbon! If only it contained a specimen! Still, thought I'd master the basics hopefully without wrecking the knife, before I try the full process. Just bought a dozen jars for the series of alcohol, histoclear etc! Might get some specimens on the go tomorrow with any luck. Hope the image isn't a bit boring - I'm a bit excited about the rocker!
Histoclear certainly smells a lot nicer than Wintergreen (it's hideous!). Back soon.

Congratulations on your obvious success! I did vow not to visit posts on this subject but the willpower failed me

gekko wrote:Congratulations on your obvious success! I did vow not to visit posts on this subject but the willpower failed me

Thanks gekko - it's been surprisingly easy to get to this stage - I gave in to temptation as soon as I saw seb28's wonderful pictures, I just couldn't resist it!
The rocker is proving to be a very sturdy, simple and easy-to-use instrument (so far with empty wax-blocks that is..). It's elegant simplicity is really a pleasure to use.
Proper sections soon! (gulp)
It's not just a case of setting it up and staying put either, it's very easy and effective to make adjustments whilst you're sectioning. It's a remarkably well designed piece of kit and it's brought a high level of sectioning to the modern amateur for an affordable price - I love it!

Here's a quick picture of my very first 6µ ribbon!

6µ !!! that is totally brilliant. Well done.

I think a good tool is essential, but an expert operator is even more so .

Looks like fun. Can't help it that I'm looking at microtomes on ebay...It's you alls fault!

Charles wrote:Looks like fun. Can't help it that I'm looking at microtomes on ebay...It's you alls fault!

It's enormously enjoyable - I'm having a great time and learning some great things too. The best bit of all is the collection of permanent slides I'm starting to build!

I've just posted a video of the beast in action - check it out then go order that Rocker!
I dream of 6µ sections - and now I've managed to make some - wish they had samples in them though!
Soon, soon, they're in the FAA right now.....