[Histonet] Microtome problems

[mkaulahao <@t> bellsouth.net]

Hi everyone,
This is my first message. I just found this site and hope anyone can help..and I'm a histotech NOT a speller. We moved into a new lab in October 2006. It is really nice compared to our old one. The ventalation is great. There is no fume smell at all. Also there is no humidity. I have NEVER had so much trouble cutting. We got a humidifier but it doesn't seem to do any good. I can't get a ribbon to form but only on bigger specimens. The biopsies (gi,bladder etc) seem to cut ok. Now suddenly the pathologist is asking for thinner sections. He is convinced we need a new mictotome that ours is not cutting right. We have a Lietz and have had it since 1994, We cut on 4um. It takes us twice as long to cut as it ever has. I have spoken to the engineers and they say they can't put any moisture in the air. How can the biopsies cut ok but the big specimens be too thick?
Mary Beth