Roger,
     We also have 2 Hacker units, probably similar in ages, and we have 
     also had this problem.  We have recently tried using different 
     mounting media other than Permount.  We are trying a thicker media 
     from Shandon,"Consul-Mount", that is used with their coverslipper and 
     it seems to alleviate the bubbles.
     In addition, try to adjust your coverslip holder so that the 
     coverslips are mounted with one edge slightly overlapping the slide.  
     This directs excess media under the slide and prevents the  excess 
     from staying on top of the coverslip.
     Air may be getting into your system through a leak in the tubes, the 
     mounting media jar cover, or the connections on the dispenser.
     Do you regularly flush the coverslipper with xylene and soak the tip 
     of the dispenser in xylene?  This helps keep the system clear of 
     clogs.
     We currently use Hacker as our service provider but I can also 
     recommend "The Tissue Technicians Inc." 610-715-5797 Edward Posavec.
     Ed is honest and fair and will give you an expert honest opinion.
     
     Hope this helps.
     
     Richard Rodriguez
     Schering-Plough Research Institute
     Lafayette, NJ 07848
     973-940-4282


______________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
Subject: Hacker Coverslipper Service
Author:  "Roger Moretz" [SMTP:stamptrain@yahoo.com] at S-P_EXHUB_AM
Date:    7/25/2000 8:10 AM


We have 2 Hacker RCM 3655 coverslippers, purchased in 
'90 and'94.  While they have been sources of much 
frustration, until recently we have been able to keep 
our recoverslipping (due to air bubbles) the less than 
10%, altho' we do get a lot of overflow onto the top 
and bottom of the slides.  For the last 2-3 months, 
however, the air bubble rate has approached 90% at 
times, and even with overflow, we're getting air 
bubbles.  Our current service provider has been in 
several times, and the machines work fine for maybe 24 
hours, and then the medium amount starts drifting, and 
we're back to uselessness.  Two questions:
1) can we get references for service providers in the 
northeast?  (no, I will NOT give the name of our 
current provider).
2) is it possible that the machines have 
reached/surpassed their useful lifetimes, and we can 
finally have a "throwing them off the roof" party? 
We would all appreciate any useful comments.  At the 
moment we are hand coverslipping, because the 
recoverslipping problem is causing us to struggle to 
meet deadlines, and this is impacting our 
productivity.
     
Roger Moretz
Dept of Toxicology
BI Pharmaceuticals
     
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