Sandi-
    I am currently using the Microm HM355. I have used this microtome for a
little more than a year. The job I had before this, I shared the same model with
another tech, rotating every other day. We did this for about a year. We both
loved it. I suggested,and recieved, one in my new position. In my current
position in research, I don't run across as much diversity in specimens as I did
in the clinical lab. In the clinical lab I routinely used it to cut everything
from kidney bx from transplant cases that required 18 slides @  1 um thick to
bone and whole mount blocks. I always had superior slides. We also looked at
Shandon later while looking to replace other manual microtomes. I personally
didn't care for it, but that could be because I was used to the Microm. The lab
did decide to buy more Microms. We also bought the model that was semi automated
and instead of a rotary wheel, you had handles that  slide back and forth. (I am
sure others can remember the brand) I didn't like it. I felt uncomfortable using
it and always thought that you are giving up one repetitive motion for another.
The tech who used it did feel some immediate relief, but we were skeptical about
the future with that instrument. Also, in the first year it had to be sent back
to the manufacture 2 or 3 times. We eventually traded it back to the manufacture
for another Microm. I hope I have helped. Please feel free to contact me with
any specific questions.

  Kim Carter
  Comprehensive Cancer Center
  Ohio State University

Snobird75@aol.com wrote:

> Dear Histonet friends
> Can someone recommend an automatic microtome I should check out to purchase.
> Also please tell me why you like your's and if you tried a different one why
> you disliked that one. Thank You !!!!!!!!!
> Sandi Miller
> MRICD research
> Md
> (Snobird75@aol.com)