Home | Community | Message Board

Original Seeds Store
This site includes paid links. Please support our sponsors.


Welcome to the Shroomery Message Board! You are experiencing a small sample of what the site has to offer. Please login or register to post messages and view our exclusive members-only content. You'll gain access to additional forums, file attachments, board customizations, encrypted private messages, and much more!

Shop: North Spore Cultivation Supplies   Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom   PhytoExtractum Buy Bali Kratom Powder, Kratom Powder for Sale

Jump to first unread post Pages: 1 | 2 | Next >  [ show all ]
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
OfflineMountainManDan
Stranger
 User Gallery


Registered: 01/21/16
Posts: 298
Last seen: 4 years, 7 months
X-Acto Knife Life Hack * 1
    #23441753 - 07/14/16 07:17 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

For those of you who use an X-acto knife for agar work give this a try and let me know what you think.

I have been trying to improve my sterile technique and have been getting occasional contams during transfers.

These contams are of two types:

1) Not getting my blade completely red hot. When dropping the transfer on the new plate I will get contams as I drop/slice into the receiving dish.



2) The handle of the X-acto touches the agar. (clearly there are numerous satellite contams as well but note the streak perpendicular to where I cooled the blade)




Problem:
1) I have a hard time getting the entire blade red hot.
2) To get the complete blade red hot the handle will in turn become hot and after 10+ transfers it must be cooled.
3) The blade is too short so I occasionally bump the handle down onto the media



Solution:
Pretty complicated....  Pull the blade out a bit. :thumbup:
1) It allows the entire blade to get red hot easier and quicker.
2) Much less heat is transferred into the handle.
3) The blade length is increased which decreases the amount of non-sterile tool over the agar.



I would consider this just a Life Hack but if anyone things it would be useful to be labeled as a Tek let me know.

Anyways give it a try and let me know!


--------------------
:mushroom2: Damien5050 Coir Tek  :mushroom2:RRs Notes :mushroom2:  TEKS :mushroom2: My Semperviva Grow :mushroom2:
CLEAN SPAWN = GODLINESS


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleInocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane
 User Gallery

Folding@home Statistics
Registered: 11/21/11
Posts: 24,863
Loc: ★
Trusted Cultivator
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: MountainManDan]
    #23441780 - 07/14/16 07:25 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

.... Trying right now, brb.


God damn it.  :facepalm:


Well the heat transfer is... still sorta going on, might just be the handle being too close to the torch.  Will have to play around with only heating the tip of the blade, but holding it a bit longer.


--------------------
                            :rainbowdrink: Tea doesn't work?                            AMU  (Q & A)                  Grain prep for Intergalactic Space Oats :pes:     

Coir-ca-cola
Jokes are funny until they're about you


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMountainManDan
Stranger
 User Gallery


Registered: 01/21/16
Posts: 298
Last seen: 4 years, 7 months
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: Inocuole]
    #23441801 - 07/14/16 07:35 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

Heat transfer to the handle is inevitable.
I just find if the blade is positioned like this I can get more transfers in before the handle is too hot to hold. 

Not the dreaded face palm  :shake:


--------------------
:mushroom2: Damien5050 Coir Tek  :mushroom2:RRs Notes :mushroom2:  TEKS :mushroom2: My Semperviva Grow :mushroom2:
CLEAN SPAWN = GODLINESS


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleInocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane
 User Gallery

Folding@home Statistics
Registered: 11/21/11
Posts: 24,863
Loc: ★
Trusted Cultivator
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: MountainManDan]
    #23441805 - 07/14/16 07:38 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

That's not the dreaded facepalm(:rasta:), that's the "well fuck I'm an idiot" facepalm.

I never heat the whole blade like you have in the pic though.  Pretty sure heating a good portion of the tip transfers enough heat to the rest.


--------------------
                            :rainbowdrink: Tea doesn't work?                            AMU  (Q & A)                  Grain prep for Intergalactic Space Oats :pes:     

Coir-ca-cola
Jokes are funny until they're about you


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleMunchauzen
 User Gallery

Registered: 06/22/11
Posts: 14,342
Trusted Cultivator
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: Inocuole]
    #23441817 - 07/14/16 07:43 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

Quote:

Inocuole said:
That's not the dreaded facepalm(:rasta:), that's the "well fuck I'm an idiot" facepalm.

I never heat the whole blade like you have in the pic though.  Pretty sure heating a good portion of the tip transfers enough heat to the rest.



yeah I dont have very many contams on transfers and ive been heating the tip like this for over a year or so. i used to use dabbing tools but the xacto holds wedges the best.

i still think ill try this.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinefatboyjeff
Stranger

Registered: 02/11/16
Posts: 60
Last seen: 4 months, 25 days
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: Inocuole]
    #23441831 - 07/14/16 07:47 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

Good idea, iv just taken a old needle and hammered it flat. It'll heat up real quick but it sucks picking up the agar and trying to get it off. I'll have to give this a go for the next transfers


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleInocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane
 User Gallery

Folding@home Statistics
Registered: 11/21/11
Posts: 24,863
Loc: ★
Trusted Cultivator
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: Munchauzen]
    #23441842 - 07/14/16 07:50 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

Quote:

Munchauzen said:
Quote:

Inocuole said:
That's not the dreaded facepalm(:rasta:), that's the "well fuck I'm an idiot" facepalm.

I never heat the whole blade like you have in the pic though.  Pretty sure heating a good portion of the tip transfers enough heat to the rest.



yeah I dont have very many contams on transfers and ive been heating the tip like this for over a year or so. i used to use dabbing tools but the xacto holds wedges the best.

i still think ill try this.




Yeah OP I think the problem you were actually having is that you thought you had to get the whole blade red hot.  Granted, this is still a cool idea and I will be doing it because less heat transfer and more reach are always good.


--------------------
                            :rainbowdrink: Tea doesn't work?                            AMU  (Q & A)                  Grain prep for Intergalactic Space Oats :pes:     

Coir-ca-cola
Jokes are funny until they're about you


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMountainManDan
Stranger
 User Gallery


Registered: 01/21/16
Posts: 298
Last seen: 4 years, 7 months
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: Munchauzen]
    #23441866 - 07/14/16 07:55 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

Quote:

Inocuole said:
That's not the dreaded facepalm(:rasta:), that's the "well fuck I'm an idiot" facepalm.




Glad to hear.


Quote:

Inocuole said:
I never heat the whole blade like you have in the pic though.  Pretty sure heating a good portion of the tip transfers enough heat to the rest.



Interesting, I always assumed you wanted the entire blade red hot but your the undoubtedly vet here!


Quote:

Munchauzen said:
yeah I dont have very many contams on transfers and I've been heating the tip like this for over a year or so.




If it works it works. Let me know after you give it a try tho :thumbup:


--------------------
:mushroom2: Damien5050 Coir Tek  :mushroom2:RRs Notes :mushroom2:  TEKS :mushroom2: My Semperviva Grow :mushroom2:
CLEAN SPAWN = GODLINESS


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleInocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane
 User Gallery

Folding@home Statistics
Registered: 11/21/11
Posts: 24,863
Loc: ★
Trusted Cultivator
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: MountainManDan]
    #23441871 - 07/14/16 07:57 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

I just the get the tip hot and run the flame along the cutting edge of the blade a little bit and I don't ever see any contams I can attribute to my tools.  This undoubtedly helps me do that even further from the base of the handle.


--------------------
                            :rainbowdrink: Tea doesn't work?                            AMU  (Q & A)                  Grain prep for Intergalactic Space Oats :pes:     

Coir-ca-cola
Jokes are funny until they're about you


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMountainManDan
Stranger
 User Gallery


Registered: 01/21/16
Posts: 298
Last seen: 4 years, 7 months
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: Inocuole]
    #23441891 - 07/14/16 08:02 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

That's good to hear. Thanks for setting me straight regarding how much of the blade needs to be red hot.     

Ya for the extension of the blade alone and the minimal heat transfer decrease I think this can still be useful.  (Although if only the tip needs to be red hot the handle won't be heating up as quickly relative to what I have been doing.)


--------------------
:mushroom2: Damien5050 Coir Tek  :mushroom2:RRs Notes :mushroom2:  TEKS :mushroom2: My Semperviva Grow :mushroom2:
CLEAN SPAWN = GODLINESS


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleInocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane
 User Gallery

Folding@home Statistics
Registered: 11/21/11
Posts: 24,863
Loc: ★
Trusted Cultivator
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: MountainManDan]
    #23441895 - 07/14/16 08:03 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

Lots and lots of small relative changes are how this shit moves forward. :thumbup:


--------------------
                            :rainbowdrink: Tea doesn't work?                            AMU  (Q & A)                  Grain prep for Intergalactic Space Oats :pes:     

Coir-ca-cola
Jokes are funny until they're about you


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMountainManDan
Stranger
 User Gallery


Registered: 01/21/16
Posts: 298
Last seen: 4 years, 7 months
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: Inocuole]
    #23441915 - 07/14/16 08:09 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

No doubt man. 
Thanks again:super:


--------------------
:mushroom2: Damien5050 Coir Tek  :mushroom2:RRs Notes :mushroom2:  TEKS :mushroom2: My Semperviva Grow :mushroom2:
CLEAN SPAWN = GODLINESS


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinezathras
Weirdo loser
 User Gallery


Registered: 12/23/15
Posts: 124
Last seen: 6 years, 4 months
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: MountainManDan]
    #23442027 - 07/14/16 08:44 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

I really like this idea, but couldn't this problem also be solved by insulating the handle? Again really cool idea, I may end up implementing it myself.


Edited by zathras (07/14/16 08:44 PM)


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleMunchauzen
 User Gallery

Registered: 06/22/11
Posts: 14,342
Trusted Cultivator
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: zathras]
    #23442040 - 07/14/16 08:48 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

Quote:

zathras said:
I really like this idea, but couldn't this problem also be solved by insulating the handle? Again really cool idea, I may end up implementing it myself.



they sell those. the xacto precision knife, aka X2000.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleSnazz
Polymath
Male User Gallery


Registered: 11/24/15
Posts: 1,584
Loc: Canada Flag
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: Munchauzen]
    #23442090 - 07/14/16 09:06 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

Here I was thinking duct tape :p


Must be some Red Green in me


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMountainManDan
Stranger
 User Gallery


Registered: 01/21/16
Posts: 298
Last seen: 4 years, 7 months
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: Snazz]
    #23442138 - 07/14/16 09:24 PM (7 years, 6 months ago)

I have been thinking of using duck tape as well.

Although I like this method for the blade extension aspect more than heat transfer aspect. :thumbup:


--------------------
:mushroom2: Damien5050 Coir Tek  :mushroom2:RRs Notes :mushroom2:  TEKS :mushroom2: My Semperviva Grow :mushroom2:
CLEAN SPAWN = GODLINESS


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineCannabisCures
Stranger
Registered: 06/22/16
Posts: 1
Last seen: 2 years, 4 months
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: Munchauzen]
    #23513482 - 08/05/16 04:53 PM (7 years, 5 months ago)

Quote:

Munchauzen said:
Quote:

zathras said:
I really like this idea, but couldn't this problem also be solved by insulating the handle? Again really cool idea, I may end up implementing it myself.



they sell those. the xacto precision knife, aka X2000.




Reviews say that xacto x2000 isn't worth it.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleMunchauzen
 User Gallery

Registered: 06/22/11
Posts: 14,342
Trusted Cultivator
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: CannabisCures]
    #23513496 - 08/05/16 04:56 PM (7 years, 5 months ago)

Were the reviewers using it for mycology work? Doubt it. For the purposes described in this thread, it's perfect.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisiblebodhisattaMDiscordReddit
Smurf real estate agent
 User Gallery
Folding@home Statistics
Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,889
Loc: Milky way
Trusted Cultivator
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: Munchauzen]
    #23513543 - 08/05/16 05:07 PM (7 years, 5 months ago)

if you dip your metal tools like x-acto in 91% iso first (not too deep or it fills up the tip where the blade goes and burns like a candle) then flame off the iso as well as get the blade hot. it also cleans off agar goo that might be on there that just chars on and makes blades go to shit twice as quick

I use a baby food jar with just enough iso to get up to the top of the blade. use fresh stuff each time since you dirty it up


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisiblebodhisattaMDiscordReddit
Smurf real estate agent
 User Gallery
Folding@home Statistics
Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,889
Loc: Milky way
Trusted Cultivator
Re: X-Acto Knife Life Hack [Re: bodhisatta]
    #23513556 - 08/05/16 05:11 PM (7 years, 5 months ago)

http://www.jove.com/video/3064/aseptic-laboratory-techniques-plating-methods

click the one for 6:38

since you can't flame glass rods red hot and cool them down without shattering them they dip them in 91% and then flame it off, Usually I would do this twice before spread plating micro samples just to be extra sure. use this same technique with the scalpel blade but also get it red hot


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Jump to top Pages: 1 | 2 | Next >  [ show all ]

Shop: North Spore Cultivation Supplies   Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom   PhytoExtractum Buy Bali Kratom Powder, Kratom Powder for Sale


Similar ThreadsPosterViewsRepliesLast post
* Nice Hobby Knife Set *PIC* rawtoxic 1,972 17 01/09/07 05:13 AM
by Blutjager
* X-Acto Knife Blade mupetmower 1,815 18 05/09/16 02:05 PM
by Inocuole
* Should I PC or flame sterilize my X-acto knife? UncleFester 847 4 05/10/15 12:25 PM
by tripdawg420
* steralizing sharp knife to scrape spores.. Anonymous 1,175 4 06/02/01 05:59 PM
by BrownPastures
* What is the handling level of colonized cakes? Teknion 883 8 04/28/03 07:04 PM
by Teknion
* ADMINS PLEASE LISTEN FAQ HACKING!!!!!!!! dumbfounded1600 917 16 01/17/08 08:44 AM
by Roadkill
* Sterilizing Xacto Knife Lostkeys 2,930 8 07/26/09 10:45 PM
by Lostkeys
* handling harvested mushrooms E Tard 2,280 15 04/26/03 05:51 AM
by SemperUbiSubUbi

Extra information
You cannot start new topics / You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled / BBCode is enabled
Moderator: Shroomism, george castanza, RogerRabbit, veggie, mushboy, fahtster, LogicaL Chaos, 13shrooms, Stipe-n Cap, Pastywhyte, bodhisatta, Tormato, Land Trout, A.k.a
2,835 topic views. 31 members, 266 guests and 64 web crawlers are browsing this forum.
[ Show Images Only | Sort by Score | Print Topic ]
Search this thread:

Copyright 1997-2024 Mind Media. Some rights reserved.

Generated in 0.037 seconds spending 0.012 seconds on 16 queries.