Re: info

"Edmond" <il_raggio_di_sole@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:78EMj.8822$o06.5143@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi,
I'm a newbie.

Which is better for beginning?

Bench or Rocking microtome?
http://www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk/microtomy.html

Other helpful notice?
Is good this site for amateur?

Thanks


Depends on what you want to do with your microtome.

Choosing a microtome is always (as anything in life) a compromise. A hand or
bench microtome (AND a good razor AND some practice) provides an easy way to
section lots of botanical samples in *rather* thin sections (20-50µm), more
then good enough for plant anatomy. Decisive advantage of this kind of
apparatus: even living samples can be sectioned without any previous
treatment. Even hard specimens (wood!) can be sectioned with it.

On the minus side: impossible to cut zoölogical samples (there are some
exceptions, f.e. cartillage), in any case not even close to the *usual*
thicknes of zoölogical sectons (3-5 µm).

Rotary microtome (manual): the easiest way to section unproblematic samples.
ONLY (not to hard) samples embedded in paraffin can be sectioned with a
(manual) rotary!

Rotary microtome (mechanical): the easiest way to section most samples,
embedded in paraffin or some of the harder media (Technovit, Epon, Araldite,
PEG...), provided one buys the neccesary accesoiries. Allmost universal
microtome (less universal than a sledge microtome!), very expensive when
bought new (think of the price of a new middle class car). Second hand,
depending on make, condition and bidder's competition anything between ? 500
and ? 5 000. I bought the Autocut 1140 on my webpage for ? 750 in Holland,
but that was an exceptional bargain.

Sledge microtome: capable of sectioning all kinds of samples, living and
embedded in paraffin or celloïdin. Plus: Any biological sample except bone
that's hard enough to clamp in the specimen clamp can be sectioned. Minus:
as about any parameter on a sledge microtome can be adjusted, it takes lots
of experience to use it! IMHO a sledge microtome is a piece of equipment for
experienced microtomists only...

Prices (second hand): anything from ? 100 - ? 1500 for a proven concept such
as the Reichert-Jung Hn40 in good condition. FYI: the Hn40 on my webpage was
bought in Germany for about ? 1100, including 2 disposable blade holders.

You'll find some information on the different types of microtomes, including
some of the larger ones (Leitz 1300, Jung Tetrander...) on my webpage:
http://www.yvanlindekens.be/microtomen/microtomen.htm. It's currently in
Dutch only, but Babelfish is anyones friend.

Y.



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