Brunel Rocking Microtome Arrival

[mrsonchus]

Hi all, well, it's here! my Brunel Rocking Microtome arrived this am!
Here are a few pictures of the package contents as I opened it up.

Here is everything that came with the microtome purchase.

complete_rocker_kit.jpg (164.27 KiB) Viewed 9920 times

All the pieces in the photo' come as a complete package.

(Theres an really good article about this microtome on this website at http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/index.h ... tome1.html

The first thing I noticed was that this model does now have the extra knife-adjusting screws formerly not on this microtome - the knife can now be set to almost any angle to suit...

knife_adjustment_screws.jpg (93.13 KiB) Viewed 9920 times

One of the supplied wax-block holders fitted.

wax_block_holder_fitted.jpg (104.13 KiB) Viewed 9920 times

Up close..

brunel_rocker_1.jpg (99.85 KiB) Viewed 9920 times

I'll soon post some more pictures and maybe a short video-clip of the beast in action. I had a quick test-drive this evening and made a right hash of things - too ashamed to post my horrible crimpled sections

Back with more soon.

[75RR]

Congratulations. The extra knife screws are great. You must have got a new model.
You will be an expert by the time I get mine.

The link you posted is to the same article I posted at Seb28's Plant histology -first attempt

If you look at the bottom of the article you will see that it was originally in MicrobeHunter!

[mrsonchus]

75rr
Hi and congratulations!
This is all Seb28's fault! His superb results have started a rocking-microtome dash!

I'm going to practice tomorrow if I get the chance!

[gekko]

Congratulations! Lovely instrument (or 'beast', as you call it ). Waiting for the promised video!

[mrsonchus]

Congratulations! Lovely instrument (or 'beast', as you call it ). Waiting for the promised video!

Thanks. It's coming soon - as soon as I produce something better that the awful mess so far!

[Peter]

Hi Mrsonchus,
The cutting of sections is an acquired skill. Crumpled sections may sometimes still be recovered if floated on warm water. Sections that crinkle or curl may be held flat with a fine soft brush as they are being cut. Crumpled sections may indicate a blunt knife, if the knife is sharp, then the speed of cutting can affect the shape of the sections; passing sections too quickly across the blade can crumple them. I find to make a ribbon the paraffin block must arrive at the knife quite quickly, however if the section is cut quickly it tends to crumple, so a technique I developed to cut ribbons is to move the block quickly, but lightly towards the knife which then stops the block, I then increase the pressure to move the block slowly but smoothly pass the knife and, hopefully, cut a reasonable section.
Hope this helps.
Good luck(you're going to need it).
Peter.

[mrsonchus]

Hi Peter - many thanks for your good advice! I've had a practice this evening and have found as you say that rhythm is a big factor. I've found that increasing the knife-angle has started giving me nearly spot-on full-block ribbons (achieved by using the bottom smaller screws to alter the angle)... I'm using 'blank' (empty) wax-blocks and so far so good - I've got the hang of attaching the wax to hardwood mounts (made several in about 15 minutes) they now stick so tight I have to cut them off - they're too firmly mounted to snap off by hand! The ribbons are starting to appear.
My FAA and Histoclear are on hand and ready to roll - I also bought a bottle of 'wintergreen oil' which is an alternative clearing agent for wax-infiltration ala Histoclear.. I'm nearly ready to start the 'proper' specimen preparation, fixing, dehydrating, clearing, infiltration, mounting, sectioning etc! Can't wait. I just need some jars and to finish my home-made incubator and I'm rolling.
Having lots of fun and learning loads!
Back soon with an update.

[75RR]

Hi mrsonchus, could you tell me the dimensions of your Rocking Microtome (approximate will do) and confirm it weighs about 10 Kg- Thanks.

Perhaps the box dimensions will do. How was it packed?

[mrsonchus]

Hi mrsonchus, could you tell me the dimensions of your Rocking Microtome (approximate will do) and confirm it weighs about 10 Kg- Thanks.

Oh, I sent you a pm with all the info! I must have messed it up - sorry about that.
Here they are:
Length = 14 inches
Height = 8 inches
Width = 6 inches
Weight = 9 Kg

It's extremely well made and should be perfectly OK 'in the post' on it's way to you. The only part that will wear at all is the piece of fishing-line or string that pulls the arm down during cutting - this would take about 3 minutes to renew and cost virtually nothing.

Good luck - sorry again about my earlier mess-up...

Oh yes, it was packed in the blue box in the pictures I've posted - this is one of those 'plastic-corrugated-cardboard' types about 3mm thick and perfectly adequate. Inside the microtome was 'centered' in the void using pieces of cardboard as spacers and the remaining space filled with polystyrene 'quavers' to hold the whole thing securely. This packaging worked perfectly and it arrived completely intact. It's a very robust machine indeed - I doubt if you'll encounter any postal problems with this sturdy beauty!

Good luck - you're in for a treat!

[75RR]

Thanks mrsonchus. Are those the box dimensions? How was it packed?

It's extremely well made and should be perfectly OK 'in the post' on it's way to you.

Not coming by post. In a friend's or failing that in my bag.
Wanted to know how much of a pain it is going to be!

[mrsonchus]

Thanks mrsonchus. Are those the box dimensions? How was it packed?

It's extremely well made and should be perfectly OK 'in the post' on it's way to you.

Not coming by post. In a friend's or failing that in my bag.
Wanted to know how much of a pain it is going to be!

Those are the actual microtome's dimensions - it would be easy to simply wrap a big old bath towel around it and carry it in a rucksack or canvas bag say. The dimensions of the box it came in are:
Box;
17 inches long
9 inches high
8 1/2 inches wide
About the size of the box a pair of boots would come in.

[75RR]

Those are the actual microtome's dimensions - it would be easy to simply wrap a big old bath towel around it and carry it in a rucksack or canvas bag say.

That is a good space saving idea.

Many Thanks.

[mrsonchus]

Hi all, here are a few pictures of my practice session this evening, the sections are starting to get a lot better now - factors I think are quite important to the way the sections 'turn out':
1) angle of knife to wax-block
2) speed of operation
3) rhythm of operation
4) temperature of wax block
5) dimensions of wax block
6) position of arm up the advance-screw that turns with every stroke to move the block towards the knife by desired amount
7) cleanliness of blade
8) sharpness of blade
9) amount of experience of operator - quick improvements come with a little practice

These sections are of empty wax-blocks (I haven't any specimens ready yet) for practice only - the wax blocks are at room temperature (19 deg C).

A few pictures:
Empty (practice) wax-block, 6µ section!

Not perfect but not bad after about 1hr total practice...

wax_cut_series.jpg (134.6 KiB) Viewed 9835 times

The wax-block on a hardwood-mount held in holder:

Attaching block-holder

wax_block_in_holder.jpg (131.98 KiB) Viewed 9835 times

The knife at an angle that works well for 6µ:

Securely held..

knife_angle.jpg (129.26 KiB) Viewed 9835 times

I hope you like these - I'll get a video posted probably in a couple of days.

[Naphthalene]

Hello!
My congratulations with your new purchase, mrsonchus! It's nice to see that more people on the forum are interested in making sections at home these times . And it's also a good to know for me that the Brunel have corrected their rocker by adding the knife angle adjustment screws. I'm looking forward to see your sections of tissue prepared with the new equipment.

[75RR]

Hello!
My congratulations with your new purchase, mrsonchus! It's nice to see that more people on the forum are interested in making sections at home these times :D . And it's also a good to know for me that the Brunel have corrected their rocker by adding the knife angle adjustment screws. I'm looking forward to see your sections of tissue prepared with the new equipment.

Hi Naphthalene (here hoping that you are The Stanislav Antonov), allow me to congratulate you on your article on the Rocking Microtome.
I have been unable to follow any of Massimo_T's links. Do you have any of the manuals and articles he mentions?

[Crater Eddie]

Regarding temperature, the microtome in the histology lab adjacent to the hematology lab where I used to work was kept in its own temperature controlled chamber... sorry, but I don't remember for certain what the temperature was.

[mrsonchus]

Hello!
My congratulations with your new purchase, mrsonchus! It's nice to see that more people on the forum are interested in making sections at home these times . And it's also a good to know for me that the Brunel have corrected their rocker by adding the knife angle adjustment screws. I'm looking forward to see your sections of tissue prepared with the new equipment.

Hi Naphthalene, many thanks.
I started my interest as I'm absolutely passionate about the identification and taxonomy of native British flora (wildflowers or 'weeds' as my Wife says ). I made a small herbarium and started to study - Stace is the definitive British flora!
I am fascinated by the structures, adaptations and comparative features of plants. This led to pollen study, which led to the desire to make permanent mounts of pollens for a collection to complement my herbarium specimens - this led me to a £15 microscope - the rest as they say, is history. Sections soon followed by hand, a better 'scope, now I have a rocking microtome and a lab in my dining-room!
I love being able to process and ultimately permanently mount my specimens - I'm having a great time!

If you wrote the Brunel Rocking Microtome article you have my congratulations, respect and sincere thanks for helping me a great deal with my studies - you did us all a great service!

[mrsonchus]

Regarding temperature, the microtome in the histology lab adjacent to the hemetology lab where I used to work was kept in its own temperature controlled chamber... sorry, but I don't remember for certain what the temperature was.

Aha - thanks for the info. It does seem that the speed of operation of the microtome (I'd suggest about 1 section per second) effects the quality - or at least the 'smoothness of flow from the knife's edge' of the sections cut. I assume that the faster (within reason of course) the stroke the warmer the section and knife faces will be when they meet.... I read the advice that slowing down for the actual cutting action is optimal and this is true (I wish I could remember where I read this as I'd like to mention a link..). I'm operating with wax-block and microtome at room temperature of about 19 deg C (anyone know how to get the proper deg symbol?) and am now getting good results between 12 and 2µ. I must get some tissue processed as I think I'm ready to move on from blank practice blocks now (fingers crossed) .

[Naphthalene]

Dear 75RR and mrsonchus, thank you so much for your kind words on my paper! I'm very happy if it was useful somehow for you.

mrsonchus, I'm unable to use the PM feature because I have only recently registered my account on a new Microbehunter forum. It is great to hear there are inspired people venturing into the microworld, especially via histological approach.
75RR, I'm sorry but I do not know what are the Massimo_T's links you are referring to. I have several manuals and papers on old Cambridge Rocker, if you send me a link on these links may be I could help you!

As for the temperature of the paraffin blocks, I believe they should be cooled with melting ice (the ice directly from the fridge is too cold and may cause block to crack). Cooling the block decreases the compression of the sections, this is especially obvious at 4-5 micron thick sections. I always use that method, and it really helps for making thin sections.

[mrsonchus]

As for the temperature of the paraffin blocks, I believe they should be cooled with melting ice (the ice directly from the fridge is too cold and may cause block to crack). Cooling the block decreases the compression of the sections, this is especially obvious at 4-5 micron thick sections. I always use that method, and it really helps for making thin sections.

Many thanks - I'm going to give this a try right now!

[Seb28]

Congratulations on your new cutting beast
Could you give some information about sharpening the blade from the user manual?
To avoid continuous sharpening blade I did some DIY razor blade clamp.

It looks like thise (first prototyp without the proper tools)

1.jpg (136.48 KiB) Viewed 9774 times

[mrsonchus]

Congratulations on your new cutting beast
Could you give some information about sharpening the blade from the user manual?
To avoid continuous sharpening blade I did some DIY razor blade clamp.

It looks like thise (first prototyp without the proper tools)

1.jpg

The user manual is very small and in rather odd English but I'll scan it and make it available ASAP - it has no mention of blade-sharpening but there's a wealth of info re this online.
Back soon with a link to the UM.

[mrsonchus]

Congratulations on your new cutting beast
Could you give some information about sharpening the blade from the user manual?
To avoid continuous sharpening blade I did some DIY razor blade clamp.

It looks like thise (first prototyp without the proper tools)

1.jpg

That definitely looks to be heading towards a solution.
I'm going to look into this too - you've inspired me to have a go! It would be so handy and of course labour-saving, to be able to use relatively cheap and virtually no-maintenance disposable blades.....
Great idea and really good prototype - keep us informed of your progress - I'd really like to follow your development.
Thanks for a good post.