Hi Sandra,
Hacker Instruments has been in business for over 50 years and we are happy
to help you with your cryostat questions. It sounds like you are using up
the fine advance only without using the coarse advance to face off the
block.  Call me at 630-357-8641 and I can help you through it.
Jeff Jurczak
National Field Sales Manager
Hacker Instruments
Naperville, IL
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sandra Livingston" <slivings@hscprime.hsc.usf.edu>
To: "HistoNet Server" <histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 10:38 AM
Subject: Bright Open Top Cryostat


> Hello, Fellow Histotechs:
>
> I have been asked to assist in setting up for use, an old Bright Open
> Top Cryostat, model OTF fitted with a rotary microtome, purchased from
> Hacker Instruments..  The cryostat, which has been in storage for at
> least 3 years, but the cooling system and motor work well.  The problem
> that we have encountered is that  the travel distance  seems so short
> and we have not quite figured out how to actually obtain sections.  When
> we "face" the tissue block and then try to reset the resetting and
> trimming control located on top of the microtome,  (this control appears
> to be the ratchet),  the knife is backed off from the tissue block.
> The manual for the cryostat refers us to the manufacturer's instruction
> book for the rotary microtome but that book is not available to us.
>
> Are any  of you familiar with this microtome/cryostat?
>
> If we figure out how to section with it, we will need to have it
> serviced.   Hacker Instruments  apparently is no longer in business.
> Does anyone know whether Hacker was bought out by another company or
> simply went out of business?
>
> If we get as far as sectioning and servicing, can any of you refer us to
> someone who sharpens/re-conditions steel knives.  I have been using
> disposables for so long that I no longer have knife sharpening
> information.
>
> Any guidance you can give would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
>