[Histonet] AO 860 sliding microtome and Caroline Bass

[Gayle Callis]

Caroline,

If you send me your slowmail, US postal service address, I will send you a 
manual on the effective use and proper care of the microtome.  This little 
green booklet (collectors item!) tells how to operate the 860 along with 
other AO microtomes (820 and freezing microtome).  I found an extra copy in 
my file this past month.

As for disposable blades in this sliding microtome, we always used a c 
profile steel knife, a gigantic blade 200 mm long, for study, vibration 
free operation.  The clamp may not work with a disposable holder.  Dorn and 
Hart is a good place to get resharpening/reconditioning of the blades or do 
that with a ThermoShandon whatever name now knife sharpener.  This was a 
superb sharpener and the microtome is a oldie but a goodie, heavy duty 
finger amputator.  We also used Bear Oil, a microtome oil which is still 
available although Rene's suggestion for the Leica oil is ideal too.

Be careful, these microtomes are very efficient for sectioning and cutting 
YOU!!!    It was the first sliding microtome I used for sectioning 
celloidin embedded monkey temporal mandibular joints back in 1963.   It was 
fun, but I did work with closed doors during its operation to avoid the 
startle factor during sectioning.  I kept my fingers, arms, etc intact.

Good luck with your "new" toy.

Gayle Callis
MT,HT,HTL(ASCP)
Research Histopathology Supervisor
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Montana State University - Bozeman
PO Box 173610
Bozeman MT 59717-3610