The rapid-tome, a 3D-printed microtome, and an updated hand-sectioning method for high-quality plant sectioning

Table 2 Non-3D-printed parts for the Rapid-Tome

Part	# Required	Description	Part dimensions
1 .Bolt (A)	1	Machine screw	M4-0.7 × 40 mm or #8–32 × 1.5 inch
2 .Nut (A)	1	Nut	M4-0.7 or #8–32
3. Advancement Screw	1	Machine screw	M4-0.7 × 100 mm or #8–32 × 4 inch
4. Advancement nut	2	Nut	M4-0.7 or #8–32
5. Drawer pull knob	1	Large diameter and flat, must fit the advancement screw	na
6. Washer	1	Stainless steel flat washer^a	12.7 mm (½ inch) inner diameter, 34.9 mm (1 3/8) inch outer diameter
7. Self-adhesive High density weather strip	1	Duck Brand Foam Weatherstrip Seal for Small Gaps (found at Walmart), must be dense foam	Cut to size 2.54 cm × 0.65 cm (1 × 0.25 inch) strip
8. Razor blades	Box of 100	Single Edge, GEM “PTFE” Coated #71,970 https://www.emsdiasum.com/d-single-edge-gem-ptfe-coated	na
Additional Materials
9. Blaster Advanced Dry Lube with Teflon	1 can	Widely available Model # 16-TDL	na
10. LOCTITE® Super Glue Control Gel 4 gr	1	Widely available Model # 234,790 en-US	na
11. Screwdriver	1	Match machine screws	na

Stainless steel washer is the best option. Also available are Zinc and galvanized washers in store at Home Depot, not Lowe's. Of the two, zinc is better because it is without the galvanized (usually zinc) coating that is scratched off by the blade, though rather roughly and can cause sectioning issues and bumps in the washer surface. The zinc will work for a short time but is softer than steel and so will accumulate nicks from the steel razor blade, leading to damage of subsequent razor blades and poor sectioning
^aWashers are available at Home Depot and here: https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Flat-Washers-USS/dp/B094D3X5RT?th=1. If this size is not available, the inner diameter must be (12.7 mm (½ inch), and outer diameter must not exceed 34.9525 mm (1 3/8 inch)

ISSN: 1746-4811