Leica CM3050 S by Leica Microsystems

"I love this machine so much that when it came time to purchase a second one, I bought the exact same model. Not because the first one failed, but because I wanted two of them. I did evaluate several other models from other manufacturers, but none performed to the high quality standards of Leica, and this model is Leica's best. It has a motorized automated mode that makes the smoothest sections possible - much better than I can do manually with the hand-wheel. I can get consistently reliable sections down at 6 um (the machine goes as thin as 0.5 um I just haven't had occasion to test that thin) and as thick as 35 um (the machine goes as thick as 300 um, I just don't use that for anything other than trimming). It has a sectioning mode and trimming mode which lets you swap between thickness settings in the middle of use, which is excellent for having a thicker setting for getting to a region of interest and then collecting sections at that region at another thinner thickness. The foot pedal lets me have one hand holding the slide for mounting, one hand removing the anti-roll plate, and use my foot for setting the automated mode in motion. This means I can mount the sections onto the slide without problematic curling. I recommend getting the entire suite of suggested accessories, plus extra chucks (specimen discs) in each of the available sizes (more of teh tiny ones if you're regularly doing biopsies) and a spare glass for the anti-roll plate. I use the Tissue-tek Accu Edge low profile (blue box) blades rather than Leica's brand and I find that I rarely have to replace a blade due to nicks or bending. Definitely pay for annual maintenance direct from Leica - their techs are amazing and they keep the machines working for decades."