Slide Workbox

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Chris Dee
Posts: 216
Joined: Mon Aug 12, 2019 1:02 pm

Slide Workbox

#1 Post by Chris Dee » Wed Jan 08, 2020 5:07 pm

Designed this 3D printed slide workbox in an attempt to organise my limited deskspace. Holds 10 slides/cover slips and four vials. See description on Thingiverse if anyone wants to print one for themselves: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4091518
slide_box.jpg
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MicroBob
Posts: 3154
Joined: Sun Dec 25, 2016 9:11 am
Location: Northern Germany

Re: Slide Workbox

#2 Post by MicroBob » Wed Jan 08, 2020 5:23 pm

Hi Chris,
very nice and cleve design - thank you for sharing!
These little helpers really increase the productivity in slide mounting.
I currently work on a small but universal hot plate. For Pleurax mounting of diatoms I need a small but fairly hot surface. But no 3D printing involved so far.

Bob

Saul
Posts: 196
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2018 5:30 pm
Location: IL USA
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Re: Slide Workbox

#3 Post by Saul » Wed Jan 08, 2020 6:47 pm

MicroBob wrote:
Wed Jan 08, 2020 5:23 pm
...I currently work on a small but universal hot plate. For Pleurax mounting of diatoms I need a small but fairly hot surface. But no 3D printing involved so far.
Bob
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254418756764 ?
You can use with https://www.ebay.com/itm/402027722123

MicroBob
Posts: 3154
Joined: Sun Dec 25, 2016 9:11 am
Location: Northern Germany

Re: Slide Workbox

#4 Post by MicroBob » Wed Jan 08, 2020 7:20 pm

Hi Saul,
I'm going to use a PID regulator and a 12V 40W 3D printer hot end heater. It will work similar to a soldering station with precise temperature setting. I have now ordered XLR socket and plug to be able to use the base unit for different applications, like paraffin melting.

Bob

MicroBob
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Joined: Sun Dec 25, 2016 9:11 am
Location: Northern Germany

Re: Slide Workbox

#5 Post by MicroBob » Wed Jan 08, 2020 7:28 pm

Hi Chris,
just thought about the cover slips: If you make the holder slots V-shaped, they could hold cover slips of different sizes, even round. Like this one:https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2091269

Bob

Chris Dee
Posts: 216
Joined: Mon Aug 12, 2019 1:02 pm

Re: Slide Workbox

#6 Post by Chris Dee » Wed Jan 08, 2020 8:43 pm

Absolutely Bob. Unfortunately I wasn't thinking of others when I designed it. Having bought a batch of 300 BH slides + slips in a sale, I'm resigned to not needing any others. I prioritised access for grasping by 2 edges with clumsy fingers. :) Not a fan of using tweezers.

MicroBob
Posts: 3154
Joined: Sun Dec 25, 2016 9:11 am
Location: Northern Germany

Re: Slide Workbox

#7 Post by MicroBob » Thu Jan 09, 2020 7:27 pm

Hi Chris,
older slides, fresh from the pack, sometimes don't fully clean up - they have developed a corroded surface. Cover slips are made from better glass and only rarely have this problem. So maybe you have a closer look before you use the slides for permanent mounting.
For permanent slides I prefer round cover slips - they make it much easier to achieve a good looking slide because the mountant is easier to spread equally.

Bob

Chris Dee
Posts: 216
Joined: Mon Aug 12, 2019 1:02 pm

Re: Slide Workbox

#8 Post by Chris Dee » Sat Jan 11, 2020 2:10 pm

2012 date code, seem to be ok Bob but I'll keep an eye on them.

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