Microscopy Tools... Mounted Needles

These use wooden dowel for the handles, the long version (type 1) typically uses 6 mm diameter dowel whilst the stubby types use 9 mm diameter.

The Type 2 single needle has a round handle, but may benefit from having a small flat planed or sanded on it to stop it rolling off the desk. The type 3 twin needle version is shown here with a reduced flat handle... I find this gives more control and lets me feel what is happening. The lengths are not critical... Use what you find comfortable. I varnish mine so that they are more easily washed.

Types for clumsy fingers

I have problems...
in getting my hands and fingers to perform delicate operations and so I tried making some broad handles from 6 mm plywood so that there would be more friction when gripped between finger and thumb.

The type 6 item on extreme right works well, but the types 4 and 5 seem to be somewhat "handle heavy".

I tend to hoard odd bits of wood, but apart from some very thin aeromodelling ply I had nothing suitable... However I found the beech lollipop stick that is illustrated in the drawing below right (type A).

The lollipop stick is 2 mm thick which is ideal for the paddle itself, but not thick enough to accept the needles so I cut it in the fashion denoted by the red lines shown at "B".

The smaller pieces were laminated "cross grain" onto the paddle, using waterproof PVA glue, and clamping firmly in a vice overnight. (Diagram "C")

The shape depicted in diagram "D" was fashioned using a "Dremel" tool fitted with a 15 mm sanding drum.

The finished articles are illustrated as types "E", "F" and "G".