RSO Biology: The microscope kit
When I offered the biology with lab class to our coop, it turned out to be quite, quite popular – which meant we were going to need at least 2 microscopes.
Our coop rents space, so all classes have to put everything in two shared storage cabinets between sessions. I had to figure out how to protect and store our precious scopes! Hard sided microscope cases are outrageously expensive, but these guys had a great tutorial on how to DIY an inexpensive microscope case. Here’s how I made mine:
Materials:
- toolbox (I got one for $8 from Home Depot)
- foam padding
- foam glue
- something to cut your foam to size
Cut and arrange pieces to your satisfaction before gluing.
- Cut a rectangle to cover the base of the toolbox.
- Cut pieces to line the sides of the toolbox.
- Cut a piece to cover the interior of the toolbox lid. Make sure the lid still closes properly with this piece in place and with a scope inside.
- Lay the microscope in the box and see how it fits. I cut an extra piece of foam to support the eyepiece and neck of the scope since it lays on its side while in the box.
- Glued all the foam pieces to the box in a well-ventilated area, because my adhesive fumes were nasty. Let dry overnight.
Et voila, a sturdy storage/carrying case for my microscope for about $15.
