Microtome?

[RudiV]

Hi everyone.

I am looking at acquiring a Microtome, rotary most likely. There are many options on eBay but in most cases shipping is really expensive. Some of the cheaper and faster shipping options are from places like India, mostly for new equipment.

Would something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/282188175076 be worth it?

I want to use it mostly for plant sections of soft material.

Any advice or pointers would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Rudi

[hkv]

That is a replica of a Spencer/American Optical 820. Perhaps one the most classic rotary microtome. I have one myself and they are really good. However, I would rather buy a used original spencer 820 in good condition than to trust a replica. Perhaps they are great, perhaps they are not. I bought a brand new Reichert 820 in box for $729. Complete with disposable blade holder and blades. Been sitting in the box since 1984. Reichert bought American Optical I believe and hence the new name. I also bought a used (older) 820 from the 70s for $200. Shipping from US to Sweden was about the same. These machines are very heavy, like 30-40 kg.

Another thing that is worth exploring is to get a disposable blade holder. Knife sharpening of the 820 knives is very complicated and expensive. Using disposable blades makes everything easier.

See this link:

https://user.xmission.com/~psneeley/Per ... rotome.pdf

Also check out this movie which shows the proper use of an American Optical 820:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5tJ2PvTBgE

This is mine. A bit odd to find something new in box that is over 30 years old.

[kit1980]

This is mine. A bit odd to find something new in box that is over 30 years old.

Do you use it? I don't remember any section photos from you...

[mrsonchus]

Hi Rudi, takes me back 18 months to when I found my beautiful Shandon 0325 rotary microtome for an unbelievably low price, and it turned out to be brand-new and unused...
See my post of it's arrival here, thread also contains some video of it in action....

Shandon 0325 arrival


You just never know when one will turn-up for sale....

p.s. I'd also go for a used genuine microtome, although the low prices of the copies are tempting as microtomy can involve a lot more work than it may at first seem to.

Good luck in your search, let us know if you acquire one!

[RudiV]

That is a replica of a Spencer/American Optical 820. Perhaps one the most classic rotary microtome. I have one myself and they are really good. However, I would rather buy a used original spencer 820 in good condition than to trust a replica. Perhaps they are great, perhaps they are not. I bought a brand new Reichert 820 in box for $729. Complete with disposable blade holder and blades. Been sitting in the box since 1984. Reichert bought American Optical I believe and hence the new name. I also bought a used (older) 820 from the 70s for $200. Shipping from US to Sweden was about the same. These machines are very heavy, like 30-40 kg.

Another thing that is worth exploring is to get a disposable blade holder. Knife sharpening of the 820 knives is very complicated and expensive. Using disposable blades makes everything easier.

See this link:

https://user.xmission.com/~psneeley/Per ... rotome.pdf

Also check out this movie which shows the proper use of an American Optical 820:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5tJ2PvTBgE

This is mine. A bit odd to find something new in box that is over 30 years old.

Thanks for the interesting post hkv, lots to digest!

I agree buying a known quality unit might be the best option, as long as I can make sure it is in a decent condition. The killer is unfortunately shipping from the USA, for some reason it is really expensive compared to shipping from the rest of the world.

Among the many 820's I can find on eBay I have found 2 that will ship to South Africa, in one case the shipping is $1850, via USPS and the second quote was for $2250. Shipping the "clone" from India was $330 and that is via Fedex (only a few days, not weeks!). Some sellers in that part of the world even offer free shipping via Fedex. There will be more on eBay that will ship from the USA but I would need to inquire and negotiate shipping.

I have 4 pieces of equipment on the way from the USA via USPS, will see how it goes, so far it seems rather slow, not like the 36 hours it took a CH30 from Singapore (AND the shipping was free).

But I will continue to look for a 820 on eBay with reasonable shipping options.

Interesting links, I have a lot to learn as far as using a microtome is concerned, but learning is part of the fun! When I look at the huge variety of plants in my garden I see an endless number of subjects...

I wish I could find a pristine 820 like yours! I agree 100% on the disposable blade holder, seems like the best option. Talking about blades, what about glass blades? I have seen adverts for a few glass blade making machines.

Thanks for the help,
Rudi

[75RR]

Among the many 820's I can find on eBay I have found 2 that will ship to South Africa, in one case the shipping is $1850, via USPS and the second quote was for $2250.

The variation is somewhat surprising as is the high cost of both quotes.
Have you tried pricing USPS shipping yourself? If you can point out a better price to the seller they can hardly refuse to charge that.

https://ircalc.usps.com/Default.aspx?co ... 21%2008:00

[RudiV]

Among the many 820's I can find on eBay I have found 2 that will ship to South Africa, in one case the shipping is $1850, via USPS and the second quote was for $2250.

The variation is somewhat surprising as is the high cost of both quotes.
Have you tried pricing USPS shipping yourself? If you can point out a better price to the seller they can hardly refuse to charge that.

https://ircalc.usps.com/Default.aspx?co ... 21%2008:00

I must try that thanks!

Yes, saw the same variation in the shipping of scopes, a Olympus BH-2 varied from $161 to $1740 both using USPS, someone told me some sellers try to make money on the shipping.....

I have also just opened a shipping account with DHL, will ask them for quotes as well but since they are really "Express" they will also be expensive.

I have send messages to a few sellers to inquire about shipping.

Thanks,
Rudi

[hkv]

Insane shipping costs. Just for fun I checked from Sweden to South Africa. I tried 35 Kg, box that is 40x40x30 cm (big enough to fit a microtome) and was quoted 3020 SEK which equals to US $320. Promised delivery in three days (!) Just as a comparison... Weird why shipping from US should be more expensive. They must be making a profit on the shipping...

[RudiV]

Insane shipping costs. Just for fun I checked from Sweden to South Africa. I tried 35 Kg, box that is 40x40x30 cm (big enough to fit a microtome) and was quoted 3020 SEK which equals to US $320. Promised delivery in three days (!) Just as a comparison... Weird why shipping from US should be more expensive. They must be making a profit on the shipping...

That sounds about the same as I would expect shipping to be. On more than one occasion when I questioned the shipping saying I am not prepared to pay that much the quote suddenly dropped, often by more than $1000.

Hopefully I can find someone who would charge a reasonable amount for shipping then I can buy a 820.

More space needed...

Thanks,
Rudi

[billbillt]

Insane shipping costs. Just for fun I checked from Sweden to South Africa. I tried 35 Kg, box that is 40x40x30 cm (big enough to fit a microtome) and was quoted 3020 SEK which equals to US $320. Promised delivery in three days (!) Just as a comparison... Weird why shipping from US should be more expensive. They must be making a profit on the shipping...

That sounds about the same as I would expect shipping to be. On more than one occasion when I questioned the shipping saying I am not prepared to pay that much the quote suddenly dropped, often by more than $1000.

Hopefully I can find someone who would charge a reasonable amount for shipping then I can buy a 820.

More space needed...

Thanks,
Rudi

Maybe you can try for one on Ebay that is listed as "free shipping"?... The worse that can happen is they have to refund your money because the deal can't go through..


BillT

[75RR]

Ran some numbers through the price calculator - the cutoff seems to be 29Kg
At that weight the charge is $459, using Priority Mail Express International
when you go over (to 30Kg) it jumps to $1036 as your only option is Global Express Guaranteed.

So how much does a 820 actually weigh?

Note: Came across a reference that says it weighs 65lb = 30Kg
If you add packaging it will probably be around 35Kg or so.

Perhaps you can get one from Europe?

[RudiV]

Insane shipping costs. Just for fun I checked from Sweden to South Africa. I tried 35 Kg, box that is 40x40x30 cm (big enough to fit a microtome) and was quoted 3020 SEK which equals to US $320. Promised delivery in three days (!) Just as a comparison... Weird why shipping from US should be more expensive. They must be making a profit on the shipping...

That sounds about the same as I would expect shipping to be. On more than one occasion when I questioned the shipping saying I am not prepared to pay that much the quote suddenly dropped, often by more than $1000.

Hopefully I can find someone who would charge a reasonable amount for shipping then I can buy a 820.

More space needed...

Thanks,
Rudi

Maybe you can try for one on Ebay that is listed as "free shipping"?... The worse that can happen is they have to refund your money because the deal can't go through..


BillT

Now that would be nice! Will do a "free shipping" search!

Rudi

[RudiV]

Ran some numbers through the price calculator - the cutoff seems to be 29Kg
At that weight the charge is $459, using Priority Mail Express International
when you go over (to 30Kg) it jumps to $1036 as your only option is Global Express Guaranteed.

So how much does a 820 actually weigh?

Note: Came across a reference that says it weighs 65lb = 30Kg
If you add packaging it will probably be around 35Kg or so.

Perhaps you can get one from Europe?

Thanks, the 30kg cut-off is interesting! Need to take that into account in the future.

Yes, Europe is definitely and option, and one that I am working on right now Soon the plants in my garden might have a new danger to face

Thanks,
Rudi

[ChrisR]

You could consider a "Cambridge Rocker" type. Very popular, smaller and not so heavy.
Shipping from UK is not cheap - of the order of 10-15 pounds/euros/dollars per Kg

[Johann]

"Slightly" off-topic - I bought this recently on ebay to add to my vintage collection - It hasn't arrived yet, but very keen to use it when it comes

handmicrotome.jpg (36.55 KiB) Viewed 10461 times

Curious to see what an almost 100year old hand microtome can do

[drasbell]

I'm curious did you ever get a microtome?
I did find this on ebay looks good with a disposable blade holder 6 days left
https://www.ebay.com/itm/AO-American-Op ... rk:39:pf:0