Does anyone tried metal washer and flat rubber o-ring as spacer?

Here you can discuss sample and specimen preparation issues.
Post Reply
Message
Author
Kevin_r
Posts: 48
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2020 1:36 am

Does anyone tried metal washer and flat rubber o-ring as spacer?

#1 Post by Kevin_r » Sat Sep 12, 2020 2:26 pm

I would like to know if somebody tried to make a spacer out of metal washer and flat rubber o-ring.

Let me know your ideas/results.

User avatar
jimur
Posts: 121
Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2017 12:05 pm
Location: Lexington, Tn., US

Re: Does anyone tried metal washer and flat rubber o-ring as spacer?

#2 Post by jimur » Sat Sep 12, 2020 11:15 pm

If you intend to make well slides they would work. However I would use nylon washers, (available at the big box), and forgo the metal and o-rings. The nylon work very well.
If you are wanting spacers, you could use broken cover slips, a drop of super glue spaced to roughly match to the corners of your cover slip, or petroleum jelly. The petroleum jelly (vaseline) could also be used to form a temporary well.
"You're never too old to have a happy childhood"
Leitz Wetzlar SM-LUX
Olympus IM
Canon 450D

EYE C U
Posts: 288
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2020 5:18 pm

Re: Does anyone tried metal washer and flat rubber o-ring as spacer?

#3 Post by EYE C U » Sun Sep 13, 2020 1:10 am

NYLON WASHERS WORK GREAT..I USE LOCTITE GO 2 GLUE TO HOLD EVERYTHING TOGETHER..
IMG_7446.jpg
IMG_7446.jpg (105.76 KiB) Viewed 4889 times
IMG_7447.jpg
IMG_7447.jpg (90.89 KiB) Viewed 4889 times

Kevin_r
Posts: 48
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2020 1:36 am

Re: Does anyone tried metal washer and flat rubber o-ring as spacer?

#4 Post by Kevin_r » Sun Sep 13, 2020 3:48 am

Wow!
This is the very replies I need.
I can't wait to try it on my own.

Thanks!

perrywespa
Posts: 112
Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2020 9:13 pm
Location: Georgia

Re: Does anyone tried metal washer and flat rubber o-ring as spacer?

#5 Post by perrywespa » Sun Sep 13, 2020 6:24 pm

Kevin,
I've used small o-rings and circular cover slips attached with clear nail polish:
Attachments
IMG_0866.JPG
IMG_0866.JPG (26.58 KiB) Viewed 4851 times
IMG_0865.JPG
IMG_0865.JPG (39.09 KiB) Viewed 4851 times
Perry
Insatiably curious.

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

Re: Does anyone tried metal washer and flat rubber o-ring as spacer?

#6 Post by MicroBob » Sun Sep 13, 2020 9:10 pm

Hi together,
as long as the specimen is close to the cover slip it will be fine for the objective. But what about the condenser? It is calculated for usual slide thickness and won't work offer optimal illumination when you increase the distance between condenser front lens and specimen this much. A slide that needs such a thick spacer won't give a good image anyway.

Bob

User avatar
jimur
Posts: 121
Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2017 12:05 pm
Location: Lexington, Tn., US

Re: Does anyone tried metal washer and flat rubber o-ring as spacer?

#7 Post by jimur » Mon Sep 14, 2020 12:29 am

These type slides are an alternative to a well slide Bob, not intended for permanent mounts. The idea of using a cover slip with them could slow water evaporation but normally they're used without one. With some protists moving constantly in and out of focus a "poor image" becomes somewhat a moot point for the ocassion. It's a matter of give and take. With these slides, the observer gains more time to observe before evaporation and gives up some image quality. As for the condenser, mine always sets at a point allowing a bit of up and down movement but as quickly as the protist moves it is useless to adjust it.
"You're never too old to have a happy childhood"
Leitz Wetzlar SM-LUX
Olympus IM
Canon 450D

EYE C U
Posts: 288
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2020 5:18 pm

Re: Does anyone tried metal washer and flat rubber o-ring as spacer?

#8 Post by EYE C U » Mon Sep 14, 2020 2:37 pm

rope2s.jpg
rope2s.jpg (70.48 KiB) Viewed 4800 times
1s.jpg
1s.jpg (105.78 KiB) Viewed 4800 times
I LOVE IT FOR THICK TEXTURED ITEMS. I have always loved looking through things like scotchbright paper towels, felt, cloth fibers, ect..very 3d. or drop full tiny bugs in...sand... salt. sugar

perrywespa
Posts: 112
Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2020 9:13 pm
Location: Georgia

Re: Does anyone tried metal washer and flat rubber o-ring as spacer?

#9 Post by perrywespa » Mon Sep 14, 2020 9:06 pm

The slides in my images are for things like crystals or sand grains and similar items to view under low power with DF or polarized light or under my cheap stereo 'scope. After having made the slide, I just can't bear throwing it away!
Perry
Insatiably curious.

Greg Howald
Posts: 1185
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2020 6:44 am

Re: Does anyone tried metal washer and flat rubber o-ring as spacer?

#10 Post by Greg Howald » Sat Oct 24, 2020 6:46 pm

I have done that a lot. I have even used garden hose washers to be able to mount and store thick specimens for my stereo scope. One hint is to make certain the outside diameter of the ring matches the diameter of a circular cover slip.
Good luck.
Greg

Post Reply