Mechanical stage for stereo microscope

[Radazz]

Here's a mechanical stage I built for my stereo microscope.
Led illuminator for bright field.

[billbillt]

Looks good to me.. I also prefer LED lighting for microscopy...

BillT

[zzffnn]

Looks good. How does it fit/work under your stereo scope (more photos of that stage in use)? Thanks.

[zzffnn]

Here is my idea.

This $20 XY stage has a raised nearly flat bottom, if you remove the 3 bottom metal pins (see photos #2 and #7 of the following eBay listing). I have a stage that is nearly identical, but have not tried to remove those metal pins and not exactly sure how (maybe just saw them off, then file the remains flat?).
http://m.ebay.com/itm/ABS-Handle-Micros ... cvip-panel

Then with those pins removed, (super) glue the stage bottom to a flat piece of glass or acrylic plate. Pick a position that allows best XY movement, to put on super glue.

Then use Blutak or mounting putty to stabilize the assembled plate/stage onto scope frame and/or existing plate. Done.

For low total magnification up to 200x, this stage/plate assembly should be stable enough.

Any comments on this idea? Mic-UK had an article that used the same XY stage. But there they use a wood plate and drilled holes on thw wood to accept those three metal pins.

At such low magnification of a stereo, I consider mechanical stage a luxury, instead of a necessity. My hands can move slide accurately enough, but it is more comfortable to use a stage.

[lorez]

The slide holder you are referencing has the universal locator pins and locking screw for the simple flat stages . Such a stage could be removed from a donor microscope for use in your project. If you need a stage I have a few.

lorez

[zzffnn]

Thanks, Lorez. I have one for my Lomo Biolam already (yes, it has a common mount and can be removed in a few seconds). I just don't want to modify the stage (by removing the pins) yet.

[lorez]

I guess I don't understand why you would need to remove the pins. If the slide holder is attached to the stage you can put the stage on the stereo scope when you need it and remove it when you don't.

lorez

[zzffnn]

Thanks, Lorez. I did not think of that approach

Those 3 pins protrude from slide holder's otherwise flat bottom and thus cannot fit my current stage plate, without modification of either stage plate or slide holder.

I guess I can try to drill 3 holes on my current acrylic plate, assuming the plate is thick enough to hold those 3 pins. My DIY acrylic plate is cheap enough to experiment, trash and remake. Not sure if that attachment can be stable enough though (maybe some Blutak will help), as I do not have precision tools.

Edit: My current stage plate is not thick enough. I would have to add another plate and drill through both to accommodate those 3 pins.

[Dale]

Would those pins unscrew? My stereozoom uses a large diameter plate, so I bought
a few cheap imported discs and fastened the stage to a disc. If the specimen needs
something special I have the other plate for other clips. Having the stage rotate is
really handy, but I also need to be able to lock it down.
Dale

[zzffnn]

Dale,

Those pins do not seem to unscrew under force. My scope is a StereoZoom 7 with transmitted light base, but missing factory round glass plate (so I made a DIY acrylic plate).

I could not imagine how you "fastened the stage to a disc" though. What does your disc look like?

I do not need stage to rotate. Just XY movements are good enough for me.

[Dale]

I bought a plate that was thicker than the original glass plate. My stage is a vintage
Olympus, so its mounting is completely different.
Dale

[Radazz]

My sterio scope is on a boom stand, so I just slide this under it

[zzffnn]

Thank you, Radazz, for confirming.

[Radazz]

I also prefer LED lighting for microscopy...

BillT

I got one of those RetroDIODE led illuminators for my Zeiss Standard.
I didn't have the bottom riser for the original type, but this one slid right in like... well, like it was made for it.

They have one for the M20 as well, but I found one on eBay that is a look alike of the Wild bulb holder that I like quite a lot.

Jim

[Radazz]

Pic in use as requested.

[Dale]

Radazz, could you please post a wide angle shot of your workspace? It looks like
you are using a pre-built laminate kitchen countertop. I have an 8' piece I want to
put on one side of a 6' x 8' unfinished room. Are you happy with your lighting?
Dale

[Radazz]

It's actually a computer table about the same size as a desk. The table is my all purpose desk. Some of those plastic drawers underneath.

I have a tv stand in back for my tv and the 48" screen does double duty as a smart tv and hdmi monitor for the computer. When I'm using the capture software, it can be like the front row at the movies.

All in my tiny bedroom.

[einman]

I would say you might want to think twice before trying to steal one of his microscopes! You will either get shot or sliced and diced!

[Charles]

That is a big scope on that pistol.

[Radazz]

3 - 9 x 40 , and that one is an air pistol.
Crosman 2300s customized (blah blah off topic blah)

Real ones are handy, but out of sight.
St. Louis is an exciting town!

[KurtM]

(blah blah off topic blah)

Okay, that does it. I'm now officially a Radazz fan!

[Dale]

Thank you, very helpful, got some more ideas. Under the desk shelving, monitor placement, and
security. My dad served on the Lexington, til we sunk it, and left me his pearl handled service pistol,
and a real Samuri sword.
Dale

[Radazz]

Hang on to them, Dale.

[Radazz]

Sadly, my beat up old LED emitter has gone negative function.

I ordered a Cree emitter, and will re-wire it from scratch.

Will post update when done.

[Radazz]

My solution for top and bottom light... A mirror reflecting the top light back up from the bottom.
I never appreciated the subtleties of illumination you can get with a concave mirror.

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