Cambridge Rocking Microtome

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75RR
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Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#1 Post by 75RR » Thu Mar 26, 2015 5:07 pm

Having been bitten by the Rocking Microtome bug due to Seb's post: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=668

I went and jumped into the deep end.

Bought on ebay in England, it is on its way to Germany, where I hope a friend of mine will bring it out to me in about 6 months when he comes to visit.
I say hope because I just found out it weighs about 10 Kg!

Hoping some wire wool, a little vinegar and a little oil will do the trick. Bought it to use it.

Image

Image
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Crater Eddie
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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#2 Post by Crater Eddie » Thu Mar 26, 2015 10:00 pm

Very interesting! I hope you will post photos of it when it eventually arrives.
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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#3 Post by 75RR » Thu Mar 26, 2015 10:24 pm

Thanks Eddie, will do.
This is one way to make 6 months seem like a very long time. :)

Decided to go for an Original Cambridge Rocking Microtome for several reasons.
Firstly a couple of people have mentioned the advantage of the extra screws that hold the knife, secondly I have a soft spot for well made old things, and thirdly it was cheaper than a new one.
All it needs to do now is work. I Have my fingers crossed.

Link to Original Cambridge Rocking Microtome manual: http://goo.gl/fkwpCJ

Here is a link to an interesting article called "A Method of Obtaining Uniplanar Sections with the Ordinary Rocking Microtome": http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article ... 6-0086.pdf
Last edited by 75RR on Fri Mar 27, 2015 1:40 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#4 Post by mrsonchus » Fri Mar 27, 2015 12:34 am

Aha - my Brunel has just arrived (see my post) and it's got the extra screws for the knife-angle adjustment! Yours is a beauty - you'll never be able to wait that long for it! :D
John B

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75RR
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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#5 Post by 75RR » Fri Mar 27, 2015 12:48 am

Yours is a beauty - you'll never be able to wait that long for it! :D
I think you are right on both counts. :) :(
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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#6 Post by mrsonchus » Fri Mar 27, 2015 12:52 am

75RR wrote:
Yours is a beauty - you'll never be able to wait that long for it! :D
I think you are right on both counts. :) :(
You neeeeed it now! Make the call - delivery in 2 days is essential!! :D
Go on - you must - don't leave me to blunder about alone!

Enjoy! :D
John B

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75RR
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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#7 Post by 75RR » Fri Mar 27, 2015 12:59 am

Go on - you must - don't leave me to blunder about alone!
Just a few problems with that.

1) Blew my budget on this already.
2) I am not in Darkest Peru - but I am not far from there!
3) It weighs 10 + Kg That means serious postal charges!
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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#8 Post by gekko » Fri Mar 27, 2015 2:44 pm

Congratulations! Ive tried to the extent possible to stay away from this forum lest I should contract the extremely contagious RM Fever :) .

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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#9 Post by mrsonchus » Fri Mar 27, 2015 4:33 pm

gekko wrote:Congratulations! Ive tried to the extent possible to stay away from this forum lest I should contract the extremely contagious RM Fever :) .
Nice try - it's coming for you too........ :lol:
John B

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Crater Eddie
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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#10 Post by Crater Eddie » Fri Mar 27, 2015 6:39 pm

gekko wrote:Ive tried to the extent possible to stay away from this forum lest I should contract the extremely contagious RM Fever :) .
:lol: Same here!
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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#11 Post by 75RR » Sun Mar 29, 2015 6:37 pm

Ive tried to the extent possible to stay away from this forum lest I should contract the extremely contagious RM Fever
Same here!
"The rocking microtome was invented by Sir Horace Darwin (1851-1928), the son of Charles Darwin."

I am impressed by your ability to resist the temptation to own/use such an instrument.
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At last! 6µ or bust...

#12 Post by mrsonchus » Sun Mar 29, 2015 7:43 pm

Here's a quick picture of my very first ribbon! If only it contained a specimen! Still, thought I'd master the basics hopefully without wrecking the knife, before I try the full process. Just bought a dozen jars for the series of alcohol, histoclear etc! Might get some specimens on the go tomorrow with any luck. Hope the image isn't a bit boring - I'm a bit excited about the rocker! :D
Histoclear certainly smells a lot nicer than Wintergreen (it's hideous!). ;)
Things are looking good so far.... (6µ)
Things are looking good so far.... (6µ)
ws_6_micron_wax_ribbon (3).jpg (124.7 KiB) Viewed 10323 times
Back soon.
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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#13 Post by gekko » Sun Mar 29, 2015 8:13 pm

Congratulations on your obvious success! I did vow not to visit posts on this subject but the willpower failed me :(

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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#14 Post by mrsonchus » Sun Mar 29, 2015 8:35 pm

gekko wrote:Congratulations on your obvious success! I did vow not to visit posts on this subject but the willpower failed me :(
Thanks gekko - it's been surprisingly easy to get to this stage - I gave in to temptation as soon as I saw seb28's wonderful pictures, I just couldn't resist it! :D
The rocker is proving to be a very sturdy, simple and easy-to-use instrument (so far with empty wax-blocks that is..). It's elegant simplicity is really a pleasure to use.
Proper sections soon! (gulp) :D
It's not just a case of setting it up and staying put either, it's very easy and effective to make adjustments whilst you're sectioning. It's a remarkably well designed piece of kit and it's brought a high level of sectioning to the modern amateur for an affordable price - I love it! :D
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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#15 Post by 75RR » Sun Mar 29, 2015 9:41 pm

Here's a quick picture of my very first 6µ ribbon!
6µ !!! that is totally brilliant. Well done.
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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#16 Post by gekko » Mon Mar 30, 2015 1:59 am

I think a good tool is essential, but an expert operator is even more so :D.

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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#17 Post by Charles » Tue Mar 31, 2015 11:50 pm

Looks like fun. Can't help it that I'm looking at microtomes on ebay...It's you alls fault!

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Re: Cambridge Rocking Microtome

#18 Post by mrsonchus » Wed Apr 01, 2015 12:23 am

Charles wrote:Looks like fun. Can't help it that I'm looking at microtomes on ebay...It's you alls fault!
It's enormously enjoyable - I'm having a great time and learning some great things too. The best bit of all is the collection of permanent slides I'm starting to build! :D :D

I've just posted a video of the beast in action - check it out then go order that Rocker! ;)
I dream of 6µ sections - and now I've managed to make some - wish they had samples in them though! :oops:
Soon, soon, they're in the FAA right now.....
John B

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