Hi
On Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:22:12 -0800 (PST), Too_Many_Tools
<too_many_tools@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>On Feb 26, 1:07 pm, Adrian <adr...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> Hi TMT
>>
>> On Sun, 24 Feb 2008 11:02:52 -0800 (PST), Too_Many_Tools
>>
>> <too_many_to...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> >Hi,
>>
>> >I would like to make some glass circles for microscope stages.
>>
>> >How would you go about it...tools and techniques wise?
>>
>> >Thanks
>>
>> >TMT
>>
>> Need a few more details before I could give much in the way of
>> suggestions . This group is more about making 'artistic' things out of
>> glass, but the same basic priciples should apply to what you want to
>> do.
>>
>> Are you talking about the little 'cover slips' that go on top of the
>> microscope slide - or something else ?
>>
>> Cutting circles in glass isn't all that difficult. For a perfect
>> circle in one operation than a diamond 'coring' bit in a drill-press
>> will do it - make sure to keep the drill bit immersed in water of
>> other cooling fluid while you're doing the cutting.
>>
>> Alternatively, and depending on how large a circle you're after,
>> there's a range of tools based on a pivoting arm with a carbide
>> cutting wheel - but you may need to do extra grinding work on the
>> cut edge of the glass if you need a perfect circle.
>>
>> So - tell us more about what you're trying to do
>>
>> - diameter of circle
>> - thickness of glass
>> - are you making one or 100 of them
>>
>> and anything else that might help in the way of information.
>>
>> Regards
>> Adrian
>
>The glass discs that I wish to make can range from the very thin
>microscope slips ~1/2" of very thin glass to stage plates that can be
>up to 6" of 1/4" glass....all of which would be of optical grade
>transparency.
>
>I would anticipate this to be only a couple at a time....for use in
>building prototypes.
>
>TMT
I've never worked with optical grade glass, but, so long as it's not
been specially (heat)-treated then I'd imagine it would be the same as
the 'art-glass' that we use here - which is commonly between 1.5 and 3
or 4 mm. The stage plates should not be a problem - simply (!) score
the circle & run it, finish off with a diamond grinder, diamond file,
or, at a pinch, wet&dry paper. Take great care with the sharp edges!
I don't know how you'd work the very thin cover slips - I recall from
school / college that they were very fragile - and I'd be surprised if
a sheet of the stuff would stand up to the pressure required to scribe
a circle in it - it's really very fragile stuff.
Having said that - 'somebody' makes them - so it must be
possible....<g>
Hope this helps
Adrian
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