A while back I remember someone suggestion something like a right angle device that carpenters use. It's basically just a piece of metal that is a right angle triangle that you put up against the chuck and on the knife mount. Then you align the chuck so it is a a right angle to the knife mount.
It looks like this: l\ l \ l \ This is my best attempt at computer drawing. l __ \ I don't thing they cost very much, much less that $700. Paula :-) On Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 8:05 PM, WILLIAM DESALVO <wdesalvo....@hotmail.com>wrote: > > Since you have older microtomes, I suggest using an "alignment block" at > each microtome instead of purchasing the alignment tools. The tools can be > found on the web ttp://www.grale.com.au/products/view/804 , but they can > be expensive (as much as $700.00 each). If you have more than one > manufacturer for your microtomes, you will need to purchase one for each > brand. > > Try using your largest embedding mold and make a blank block for each > microtome. This can bee done first thing each morning. Use the block to > align the chuck each morning before cutting. If you see drift throughout the > day, add one or more checks during the day. Making a fresh block each day > gives you a good standard and keeps the variation down. > > I also suggest you look at your embedding method and make sure you have a > standardized procedure for all tissue types for orientation of tissue and > exact placement in the mold. Embed your tissue on one plane with as little > paraffin as possible on the bottom of the mold. Reducing variation at > embedding will greatly assist you in reducing the amount of "facing" > required to start producing sections and also reduce the need to align the > chuck to the block/tissue. > > William DeSalvo, B.S., HTL(ASCP) > Chair, NSH QCC > Prodcution Manager, Sonora Quest Laboratories > > > > > > From: sharon.davis-dev...@carle.com > > To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu > > Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:16:26 -0500 > > Subject: [Histonet] Microtome alignment > > > > We are having a continuing issue of too much tissue being cut off when > facing off a block for recuts. We have tried a couple of different methods > for aligning our microtomes without much success. Does anyone out there have > any advice on how to properly align them and what tool to use? Also, how > often do you perform this re-alignment? The majority of our microtomes are > older so more wear and tear and things move out of place more often. Any > help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. > > > > Sharon Davis-Devine, CT (ASCP) > > Cytology-Histology Supervisor > > Carle Foundation Hospital > > Laboratory and Pathology Services > > 611 West Park Street > > Urbana, Illinois 61801 > > 217-383-3572 > > sharon.davis-dev...@carle.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Histonet mailing list > > Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu > > http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet > > _______________________________________________ > Histonet mailing list > Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu > http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet > -- Paula Sicurello 6 of 6 Duke Healthcare System EM Lab _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet