MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

A question about making see though spiecemens
On a tiny insect on a glass slides.
If you press on the thin glass slip cover the insect specimen
wouldn't that squish out insect guts as ND insect blood?
What depth and detail?
Open for opinions

R

I posted a reply to this on your other thread..

I be getting my carson smartphone universal optics adopter today . It should improve my photos and videos
By the how I am doing with my photos and videos?

Getting better, but I agree with billbillt that you need very thin, almost transparent specimens for best results.

I tried that with a piece of bambo I found at SRP canal
I thin slice it
1st cross cut thin and long thin slice
But no one saw it,
I post the photos in the SRP canal sample report.

Hi MicroInspector,
I use a formula for getting rid of all internal organisms from honey bees, but one word of advice if the insect in question has wings this formula will destroy the wings. Its called Maceration. I will have to dig it out from my files then photograph it and post on the forum. It also slightly lightens the colour of the exoskeleton.
Please give me a day or two and it will be with you soon.

Agreed
My last microscope came with some prepared slides
1 was a mosquito .
You see the hair long tube that pokes you the compound eyes
The Blood in it's stomach etc

MicroInspector wrote:I tried that with a piece of bambo I found at SRP canal
I thin slice it
1st cross cut thin and long thin slice
But no one saw it,
I post the photos in the SRP canal sample report.

Thin means REALLY THIN... In the micron thickness... A slice 1/64 thick will only show what is on the surface..

I am sorry , but I don't micron machine like the labs
All I have is a razor X-acto knife set to slice with..

maybe take some plant sap under the microscope.

I guess you will never have one thin enough then....

How about trying a fly (or mosquito) wing. That is thin enough and you will find interesting detail there. And may I suggest that you stick to the 10x eyepiece (use a higher power objective if you want to see more detail or larger).

You forgot when there is a will there is a way.
I can always find some thing else to put under my microscope.
There is a lot of micro size things that don't need to be sliced ultra thin some things can be pressed thin enough.

MicroInspector wrote:You forgot when there is a will there is a way.
I can always find some thing else to put under my microscope.
There is a lot of micro size things that don't need to be sliced ultra thin some things can be pressed thin enough.

I thought my statement would stimulate you into thinking "how?"..

BillT

There is a way

Think about how you would be able to slice the thinnest section possible by using what you have at home.. That is a place to start... Think about it... A common sheet of paper is approximately 100 microns thick..

Why not just buy a cheap stereo 'scope - better for the sort of specimens that you seem to prefer?

I have a paper which explains how to get rid of insect internal organs and leaving the exoskeleton in tact. It uses Caustic Soda for the clearing agent and finally ending up with xylene. I use this method on my honey bees and the results are extremely favourable.

MicroInspector,
I do not fully understand what you are saying whether you want thin sections or thin limbs of insects? Just exactly what is it????
When I understand what it is you want then hopefully I might be able to help you out.

mrsonchus wrote:Why not just buy a cheap stereo 'scope - better for the sort of specimens that you seem to prefer?

Because that what qx3 microscope is for.

mrsonchus.

What have I missed? I seem to be the only one trying to be co-operative here. Neither of you are making any sense when one reads the first post in this thread.

MicroInspector,

The same applies to you sir, after reading your first post I have tried to help out with the Maceration document as your thread reads
'What about see though spiecemens?' as I read this to mean see through.

I have had enough of this messing about and not getting a straight answer good luck to you both.

argghh, I think I'm losing the will to live here!

Everyone's just trying to help - not always easy.

I read article and save it.
As for thin slicing, I just have to use skin of fruits and vegetables

MicroInspector wrote:I read article and save it.
As for thin slicing, I just have to use skin of fruits and vegetables

Everyone does this!... It will be boring to look at!!... You need to put your thinking cap on and come up with a way to make thin sections...

This solution will cut very thin slices and should cost less than $1

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/art ... icera.html

rnabholz wrote:This solution will cut very thin slices and should cost less than $1

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/art ... icera.html

That's a perfect link Rod, good old Walter D may save the day again!

YES!!... Thanks!... I had read this along time ago, but had forgotten about it!.... This should do the trick!.. This is about the last hope for this project.. Can't get much cheaper or simpler than this...

Billt

Indeed
But it looks tricky to put together
I offended wonder if carrot peeler
Might work...

No!.. It is very straightforward and simple.. Go back and read it again!!.. If this wanders off again in another pointless tangent , in today's newspeak vernacular: "I'M/WE'RE DONE!!"..

Ok I have go over it.

I have a C clamp in storage
Thinking about using 2 solid bock of wood and some wax paper
Using this to press spiecemens to total flatness
Plants , moss, insects,

Microinspector, Why not just pound it flat with a big old mallet? Thin it will be. Do you want to examine the structure of your specimens, to "reveal the truth of life", or do you want to look at smashed bugs? I vote that we are being trolled.

Carl