Permanent Slide Mount Assistant DIY (3D printed)

[fibreoptix]

This might be a little over engineered, but it's a good excuse to practice with my printer. It presses the cover slide down while the nail polish dries into a nice thin bubble free layer.

If you have access to a 3D printer you can get the files here. --> https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3160233

[mrsonchus]

Wow! That's quite a machine!

I find that various 'blocks' of paper-staples work really well for applying variable pressures to my coverslips while they dry, here are a couple of images - this works really well, is simple and flexible...

A selection of staples, just break off what you may consider to be a suitable weight,

ws_DSCN2644.jpg (79.01 KiB) Viewed 4246 times

As here,

ws_DSCN2645.jpg (41.33 KiB) Viewed 4246 times

John B.

[MicroBob]

Thak you for posting your design on thingiverse!

When I apply weight on cover slips I don't use that much of it. What I have in the drawer are M6 nuts. Occasionally I put the whole thing top down with the slide acting as a weight and the diatoms staying down on the cover slip.

What specimens are you covering with that much pressure?

Bob

[fibreoptix]

I just find applying constant pressure over 2 hours (nail polish) creates no bubbles. Plus the added weight also requires much much less polish creating a very thin layer, almost rendering it invisible. Also with the right amount there tends to be no ooze on the edges of the cover glass.