Home Science Tools MI-4100LST User manual

Instruction Manual for
MI-4100LST – Home LED Microscope
MI-4100LMS – Home Iris Diaphragm Microscope
MI-4100LDH – Home Dual-head Microscope
MI-4100LXL – Home LED 1000x Microscope
MI-4100LBH – Home Binocular Microscope
1.800.860.6272
www.homesciencetools.com
Copyright 2012 by Home Training Tools, Ltd.
All rights reserved.
Home LED
Microscope

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Welcome to an exciting world of discovery
with your new Home Microscope! This manual
will give you a familiarity with the different features
on your microscope, how to use them, and how to
preserve your investment by proper maintenance
and care.
These instructions are for five different models
with LED lighting from the Home 4100 series.
Pages 2-4 will cover the basic features and
functions of the MI-4100LST model, most of which
are common to all of these microscopes.
The small microscope icon indicates a
feature that is upgraded on the Home Dual-head
(MI-4100LDH), the Home Advanced (MI-
4100LMS), the Home Binocular (MI-4100LBH)
and/or the Home 1000x LED (MI-4100LXL)
microscopes. To learn about the upgraded features
and their uses, turn to pages 4-6.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ....................................................2
Unpacking ............................................................2
Cleaning...............................................................2
Features & Definitions .............................................2
Microscope Diagram............................................2
Description of Components .................................3
Installing a Mechanical Stage ..............................3
Operating Procedure ...............................................4
Features for Advanced Models ...............................4
1.25 Abbe Condenser..........................................4
Iris Diaphragm .....................................................4
Mechanical Stage ................................................5
Filters ...................................................................5
100x Oil Immersion Objective..............................5
MI-4100LDH Model .................................................5
MI-4100LBH Model .................................................6
Installing the Binocular Head ...............................6
Using the Binocular Head ....................................6
Maintenance............................................................6
Adjusting the Stage Stop .....................................7
Changing the Bulb ...............................................7
Adjusting Tension ................................................7
Troubleshooting ...................................................7
Specifications ..........................................................8
Warranty ..................................................................8
General Microscope Care
Unpacking
The Home microscopes are shipped in a two-
part Styrofoam case. Keep this case for storage,
transport, and shipping. It is perfect packing
material should you ever need to send your
microscope in for repairs covered by the warranty.
When handling your microscope, always pick
it up by the arm. Avoid touching the lens surfaces
on the eyepiece or objective lenses, as fingerprints
will decrease image quality.
The MI-4100LDH and MI-4100LBH require
some assembly (see p. 6). All other models will
arrive completely assembled.
Cleaning
The best optical quality is compromised by
dirty lenses. Use a dustcover and clean the lenses
regularly to greatly enhance your microscope use.
To clean lens surfaces, remove dust by using
a soft brush or a can of compressed air. Then
moisten a piece of lens paper (our item MI-
PAPER) with some lens cleaning solution (MI-
LENSCLN). Gently clean the eyepiece, objective
lens exterior surface, and condenser using a
circular motion. Repeat with a second paper
moistened with solution if necessary. Repeat once
again with a piece of dry lens paper until the lens is
clean and dry. Do not spray lens cleaner directly
on the lens.
Features & Definitions
Microscope Diagram
1. Eyepiece
8. Stage Clips
7. Stage Stop
11. Coarse Focus
12. Fine Focus
2. Rotating Head
3. Arm
4. Nosepiece
5. Objective Lenses
9. Condenser
10. Disc Diaphragm
13. Illuminator
On/Off Switch
6. Stage
13. Variable
Intensity Control

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Description of Components
1. Eyepiece: This is the part of the microscope
you look through. It is inclined at a 45º angle
for comfortable viewing. It contains a lens that
magnifies 10x.
2. Rotating head: The head rotates 360º so
multiple users can look in the eyepiece
comfortably without moving the microscope
itself.
3. Arm: The arm not only supports the head and
nosepiece but it is also the best “handle” for
picking up and moving the microscope.
4. Nosepiece: This is also called the “objective
turret.” It holds the objective lenses and
rotates 360º. You can change magnification by
turning it until the lens you want to use “clicks”
into place.
5. Objective Lenses: These are the lenses
closest to the specimen. The standard
objectives are 4x, 10x, and 40x, which multiply
with the 10x eyepiece lens to provide
magnification levels of 40x, 100x, and 400x.
The 4100LXL model also includes a 100x
objective for 1000x magnification. The shortest
lens has the lowest magnification level, while
the longest has the highest. The objectives
have the following characteristics:
•They are DIN – they meet an
international standard of optical
quality.
•They are achromatic – they help
prevent color distortion.
•They are parcentered – if you center
your slide using one objective, it will
still be centered when you move to
another objective.
•They are parfocal – if you focus your
specimen using one objective, it will
stay coarsely focused when you move
to another objective (you will still have
to adjust the fine focus).
•The 40x and 100x objectives are
retractable – the tip containing the lens
is spring-loaded to prevent damage to
the objective or slide.
•The 100x objective is oil immersion –
This is described on page 5.
6. Stage: The stage is the platform that
supports the specimen slide below the
objective lenses. It moves up and down when
you turn the focus knobs, allowing you to
control the distance between the slide and the
lens. The MI-4100LXL, 4100LMS, 4100LDH,
and 4100LBH models have an integrated
mechanical stage that allows for precision
adjustment of the specimen slide.
7. Stage stop: This is a screw with a lock nut
located between the stage and the arm of the
microscope. It prevents the stage from coming
too far up and grinding against the objective
lenses. It is also called a “safety rack stop,”
and is pre-adjusted by the manufacturer.
Instructions for readjusting it manually are on
page 6.
8. Stage clips: The stage clips hold the
microscope slide in place. Pressing on the end
closest to the arm of the scope will lift up the
other end allowing you to place your slide
underneath. There is a single stage clip on the
MI-4100LXL, 4100LMS, 4100LDH, and
4100LBH models that is easily adjusted with a
lever.
9. Condenser: The MI-4100LST has a fixed
condenser and the other models have an
adjustable condenser with spiral focusing.
10. Diaphragm: The diaphragm controls the
amount of light coming through the specimen
in order to provide optimum resolution for the
objective lens. The MI-4100LST has a rotating
disc diaphragm under the stage with various-
sized holes. The other models have an
adjustable iris diaphragm.
11. Coarse focus: The large coarse focus knob is
used to raise or lower the stage until the image
is in focus. The focus mechanism uses a slip
clutch to prevent damage to the gears.
12. Fine focus: The smaller fine focus knob
allows more precise image resolving after the
image has been brought into focus with the
coarse focus knob.
13. Illuminator: The illuminator provides
necessary light underneath the stage. It
contains a long-lasting LED bulb. In addition to
an on/off switch, the light source also features
a variable intensity control on one side of the
base.
Installing a Mechanical Stage
The MI-4100LST model comes pre-drilled for
the addition of an optional mechanical stage (our
item MI-MESTAGE). This added feature gives
precise slide control for optimal viewing.

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Iris Diaphragm
Lever
Abbe Condenser
Lever
To install the mechanical stage follow these
steps:
1. Remove the stage clips with a Phillips #2
screwdriver. The clips are screwed in tightly,
so be careful not to strip the screw heads.
2. The mechanical stage attaches to the three
holes that are located between the stage clips.
The two pins on the bottom of the mechanical
stage fit into the smaller holes on each side of
the threaded hole in the center. Align the pins
with these holes and seat the mechanical
stage firmly against the microscope stage.
3. Secure the mechanical stage to the
microscope stage by tightening the center set
screw securely into the center (threaded) hole.
Do not to overtighten or strip the screws.
Operating Procedure
Now that you have an overview of how to use
each component on your microscope, follow this
step-by-step procedure to help you get started
using it.
1. Set the microscope on a tabletop or other flat
sturdy surface where you will have plenty of
room to work. Plug the power cord into an
outlet, making sure that the excess cord is out
of the way so no one can trip over it or pull it
off of the table.
2. Flip the switch to turn on your microscope's
light source and then turn the disc diaphragm
to the largest hole (number 5), which allows
the greatest amount of light through. For
advanced models, open the iris diaphragm to
the fully open position.
3. Rotate the nosepiece to the lowest-power (4x)
objective. You will hear a click when it is
properly in place. Always start with the lowest
power: it is easiest to scan a slide at a low
setting, as you have a larger field of view.
4. Turn the coarse focus knob to move the stage
down (away) from the objective lens as far as
possible.
5. Set a microscope slide (coverslip facing up) in
place under the stage clips. A prepared slide
works best when you do this for the first time.
(If you do not have a prepared slide, place a
strand of colored yarn or thread on a blank
slide and place a coverslip over it.) Move the
slide until the specimen is under the objective
lens.
6. Adjust the larger coarse focus knob until the
specimen is in focus. Slowly move the slide to
center the specimen under the lens, if
necessary, by nudging it with your fingers.
7. Adjust the small fine focus knob until the
specimen is clearly in focus. Then adjust the
diaphragm to get the best lighting. Start with
the most light and gradually lessen it until the
specimen image has clear, sharp contrast.
8. Scan the slide (right to left and top to bottom)
at low power to get an overview of the
specimen (nudge the slide very slowly with
your fingers). Then center the part of the
specimen you want to view at higher power.
9. Rotate the nosepiece to the 10x for 100x
magnification. Refocus using the fine focus
knob and view your specimen carefully. Adjust
the diaphragm again until the image has the
best contrast. Repeat with the 40x objective for
400x magnification.
Features for Advanced Models
As indicated by the symbol in the
previous pages, this model is upgraded from the
MI-4100LST. This section describes each feature
and how it is used.
1.25 Abbe Condenser
Unlike the fixed
condenser on the
MI-4100LST model,
this condenser on
the other models is
movable. Rotate it
using the upper lever
under the stage.
Moving it clockwise
will lower it; counter-clockwise will raise it. In most
cases it can be left all the way up, though it may
need adjustment when you use a 100x objective
lens to achieve a clear image.
Iris Diaphragm
The iris diaphragm replaces the disc
diaphragm on the MI-4100LMS, 4100LDH,
4100LXL, and 4100LBH models. It provides
greater control of the amount of light coming
through the specimen and optics, thus giving you
more precise resolution and contrast for each
specimen. The diaphragm adjusts very easily with
a sliding control lever instead of a rotating disk.
This lever is the lower lever under the stage.
Holes for adding
mechanical stage
Remove stage clip
with this screw

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100x Objective
Begin looking at any specimen with the iris
diaphragm all the way open (clockwise is open,
counter-clockwise is closed). After focusing,
reduce the light by moving the lower lever until the
specimen is in sharp, clear contrast. As with the
disc diaphragm, you will need less light on lower
power and more light on higher power. The
following table gives suggested opening sizes for
each power level:
Objective Diaphragm Opening
4x From fully closed to 1/8 open
10x 1/8 to 1/4 open
40x 1/4 to 1/2 open
100x 1/2 to 3/4 open
Mechanical Stage
The MI-4100LMS, 4100LDH, 4100LXL, and
4100LBH models have a mechanical stage built-in,
a component that allows precise movement of the
slide on the stage while maintaining relatively good
focus. It is ideal for scanning specimens. The
mechanical stage has three operating components:
the slide clamp arm, the “x” or right/left adjustment
knob and the “y” or front/back adjustment knob.
1.
Move the small lever on top of the stage to
open the curved slide clamp arm.
2.
Carefully place the slide squarely against the
fixed side and back edge of the mechanical
stage. Make sure the slide lies flat on the
microscope stage.
3.
Gently release the small lever allowing the
slide clamp arm to securely hold the specimen
slide in place. Releasing the lever too quickly
may damage slides.
4.
Move the specimen under the objective lens by
turning the adjustment knobs. The front/back
adjustment knob is at the top. It allows precise
movement to the front and back of the stage.
The right/left adjustment knob is at the bottom,
towards the base of the microscope. It allows
precise movement to the right and left of the
stage.
5.
Turn these adjustment knobs without putting
any pressure on the stage. This will allow you
to scan a slide while maintaining fairly good
focus. The integrated mechanical stage has a
70 mm range of motion along the “y” axis and
a 30 mm range of motion along the “x” axis.
Filters
The MI-4100LXL and 4100LBH models come
with a blue filter that can be placed in the filter
holder located below the iris diaphragm. The filter
absorbs some of the light from the illuminator and
makes the light slightly blue. In some cases this
may enhance the image of
your specimen, though
generally it is not necessary.
Use the following procedure
to insert the filter:
1.
Make sure the Abbe
condenser is all the way up.
2.
Locate the tiny filter holder knob underneath
the iris diaphragm. Use this to swing the filter
holder out from under the diaphragm.
3.
Place the filter in the holder and swing back
into place.
4.
Adjust focus and diaphragm normally.
100x Oil Immersion Objective
The MI-4100LXL and 4100LBH model has an
additional 100x objective that provides 1000x
magnification. At this magnification it is important
to reduce light diffraction to enhance the image
quality. This is done by using immersion oil
according to the following steps:
1.
Lower the stage using the
coarse focus knob.
2.
Raise the Abbe Condenser
to the highest position by
turning its lever counter-
clockwise. Open the iris
diaphragm by turning its
lever clockwise.
3.
Place one drop of high quality immersion oil
(our item MI-IMMOIL) on top of the coverslip.
(In some cases, it may be beneficial to place a
drop of oil between the condenser and the
slide also, but this is usually not necessary for
a good image.)
4.
Move the 100x objective lens into position, and
then slowly move the stage up until the lens
makes contact with the oil.
5.
Continue focusing with the coarse knob until
the color or blurred outline of the specimen
appears. Finish focusing with the fine focus
knob.
6.
Adjust the condenser and diaphragm until you
see the specimen in clear, sharp contrast.
7.
When you are done or ready to switch to a
lower objective, clean the oil off the lenses and
slides using lens paper and lens cleaning
solution (instructions are on page 2).
8.
Never leave oil on objectives or slides for
extended periods of time, as it becomes
extremely difficult to remove.

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MI-4100LDH Model
The MI-4100LDH model comes with a dual
teaching head. In addition to a 30º inclined
eyepiece, its vertical eyepiece allows simultaneous
viewing or digital camera photography. The vertical
eyepiece is equipped with a diopter, which adjusts
for focusing differences between the different
eyepiece users. Have the inclined eyepiece user
focus the microscope first. Then have the vertical
eyepiece user rotate the diopter adjustment (the
knurled band) until the specimen is also in focus
for his or her eyes.
Installing the Dual-head
While unpacking the MI-4100LDH you will find
two separate components: the vertical eye tube,
and the eyepiece (contains the lens).
1. Remove any plastic caps from the eye tube,
eyepiece, and the head.
2. Place the eye tube onto the head of the
microscope and screw it into place.
3. Place the eyepiece on top of the eye tube.
(You may have to loosen the screw using a
screwdriver before setting the eyepiece into
place, and then tighten it in place.) Secure the
eye tube by tightening the set screw with a
screwdriver.
MI-4100LBH Model
The MI-4100LBH model comes with a
binocular head for enhanced image examination
and extended viewing comfort.
Installing the Binocular Head
The binocular head is packaged separately
and will need to be installed using the following
procedure:
1. Remove the binocular head carefully from the
packaging.
2. Take off any protective plastic caps from the
bottom of the binocular head and on the base
above the nosepiece.
3. Loosen the set screw located above the
nosepiece.
4. Set the binocular head firmly in place, making
sure the v-groove fits against the two fixed
screws and flush against the head support,
and tighten the set screw.
5. The screw should be tight enough that the
head doesn’t wobble. When the head is stable,
the slide is easier to view.
6. To readjust the binocular head, loosen the
screw, turn the head (it rotates 360°) and then
tighten the set screw making sure the head is
stable on the base and does not wobble.
7. Place an eyepiece in each eye tube. (You may
have to loosen the small screws before setting
the eyepieces into place, and then tighten
them again.)
Using the Binocular Head
To use this feature to the best advantage, you
must set the interpupillary distance to match the
distance between the pupils of your eyes. You
must also adjust the diopter to compensate for
focusing differences between your eyes. Each user
of the microscope
must make these
adjustments for
his or her own
eyes. To do so,
follow these steps:
1. Start by
focusing a
small
specimen in the center of the viewing field
using the 10x objective. The iris diaphragm
should be in the closed position.
2. Focus your eyes on the specimen.
3. Pull your eyes back from the eyepieces about
1”. In your peripheral vision you will see two
field view circles overlapping each other.
4. Open or close the distance between the
eyepieces by pulling them apart or pushing
them together until the two circles merge
together and appear as one circle. The
interpupillary distance is set correctly when
you see just one field view circle. Record the
settings so you can return to your adjustment
easily.
5. Turn the nosepiece until the lowest power (4x)
objective clicks into place.
6. Holding a card over your right eye (the eye in
front of the eyepiece with the diopter) bring the
specimen into focus for the left eye.
7. Cover your left eye with a card and bring the
specimen into sharp focus for your right eye by
turning the knurled diopter band on the right
eyepiece. Do not use the coarse and fine focus
controls for this last step – use only the diopter
adjustment.
Maintenance
Adjusting the Stage Stop
The stage stop is set at the factory to insure
that the stage cannot come up far enough to hit the
Interpupillary
settings
Knurled diopter
adjustment

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Locking nut
Stop screw
Tension collar
objective lenses. In normal circumstances you will
not have to adjust this. However, if it falls out of
adjustment or you are using a thinner slide that
cannot be focused, follow these steps:
1. Loosen the round
knurled locking
nut by turning it
counter-clockwise.
You may need to
use needle-nose
pliers for this.
2. Loosen the stop
screw.
3. Focus on a standard slide until you obtain a
sharp image.
4. Tighten the stop screw by turning it clockwise
until it stops, then turn it back a half turn.
5. Lock into position by tightening the locking nut.
6. Note: The higher the stop screw is, the higher
the stage will rise.
Changing the Bulb
Your microscope bulb should last for years—
approximately 50,000 hours of continuous use. If it
breaks or it burns out, follow these steps for
replacing it:
1. Obtain the correct LED replacement bulb (our
item MI-BULB14).
2. Unplug your microscope from the power
supply and allow it to cool before replacing the
bulb.
3. Twist illuminator housing counter-clockwise to
remove. Pull out old bulb and insert new bulb.
4. Plug microscope into a power supply and turn
it on, ensuring the bulb lights up. If it doesn’t,
repeat step 2, then lift bulb out, rotate it 180°
and re-insert. Repeat step 4.
5. Replace illuminator housing.
Adjusting Tension
Although coarse focus tension is pre-adjusted
by the manufacturer,
temperature changes and
normal use may cause it
to fall out of adjustment,
allowing the stage to drift
down under its own
weight and moving the
image out of focus. The tension adjustment collar
is located between the microscope arm and the
coarse focus knob on the right side (when the
stage is facing you). To adjust the tension, follow
these steps.
1. To tighten tension, use the provided C-wrench
to turn the collar clockwise.
2. Only tighten the tension knob enough to keep
the stage from drifting downward.
Troubleshooting
If you are experiencing difficulty with your microscope, try these troubleshooting techniques:
Problem Possible Reason and Solution
Light fails to
operate
1. The AC power cord is not connected. Connec
t
the cord to an outlet.
2. The bulb is burned out. Replace the bulb. (See “Changing the Bulb,” p. 7.)
3. The power source outlet is inoperative. Have a qualified electrician repair the outlet.
4. The incorrect bulb is installed. Replace with the correct bulb.
5. The bulb is oriented wrong. Rotate the bulb 180° and re-insert.
Light flickers 1. The bulb is not properly inserted into the socket. Properly insert the bulb.
2. The bulb is about to burn out. Replace the bulb.
3. The connection at the AC outlet is loose. Have a qualified electrician repair the outlet.
No image 1. The nosepiece is not indexed properly. Move revolving nosepiece until the objective
lens clicks into position.
2. The light is too bright. Adjust the diaphragm.
Unable to
focus slide
1. The slide coverslip is too thick. Use 0.17 mm thick (No. 1) coverslip.
2. The stage drops under its own weight. Adjust tension of coarse focus knob. (See
“Adjusting Tension,” p. 7.)
3. The slide is upside down. Place the slide on the stage with the coverslip facing up.
4. The stage stop is not set at the proper position. Adjust the stage stop. (See
“Adjusting the Stage Stop,” p. 7.)

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Poor resolution,
image not sharp
1. The condenser, objective, or eyepiece lenses are dirty. Clean the len
s
es. (See
“Cleaning,” p. 2.)
2. There is too much light. Adjust the diaphragm.
Spots in field 1. The condenser, objective, or eyepiece lenses are dirty. Clean the len
s
es. (See
“Cleaning,” p. 2.)
2. The specimen slide is dirty. Clean the slide.
Uneven
illumination of
field
1. The nosepiece is not indexed properly. Move revolving nosepiece until the objective
lens clicks into position.
2. The diaphragm is not properly indexed. Adjust the diaphragm to the proper level.
Specifications
Eyepiece Widefield 10x with 18 mm exit pupil and fully coated optics.
Head Monocular, 45° inclined head rotates 360°. MI-4100LDH has a dual head: one 30º inclined
eyepiece, one vertical eyepiece with diopter. MI-4100LBH has a binocular head with dual
diopters.
Nosepiece 3-hole or 4-hole nosepiece is ball-bearing mounted with positive click stops.
Objectives All objectives are DIN achromatic, parfocalled, parcentered, and fully coated.
•4x, 0.10 N.A., red ring, 4.5 mm field of view, 40x magnification
•10x, 0.25 N.A., yellow ring, 1.8 mm field of view, 100x magnification
•40xR, 0.65 N.A., blue ring, 0.45 mm field of view, 400x magnification, retractable
•100xR, 1.25 N.A., white ring, 0.18 mm field of view, 1000x magnification, retractable, oil
immersion (model MI-4100LXL and 4100LBH only)
Focusing Separate low position coarse and fine focusing controls with slip clutch, and tension
adjustment.
Focus Rack All metal rac
k
-and-pinion focusing with adjustable stage stop.
Stage Acid and chemical resistant 110 x 120 mm metal stage with stage clips and predrilled for an
optional mechanical stage.
Mechanical
Stage
Top-position x-y controls provide precise 60 mm movement on the x-axis and 30 mm
movement on the y-axis (all models except MI-4100LST).
Condenser Fixed 0.65 N.A. condenser on model MI-4100LST. Adjustable 1.25 N.A. Abbe condenser on
all other models.
Diaphragm Calibrated 5-hole disc diaphragm on model MI-4100LST. Iris diaphragm with 2 mm to 30 mm
diameter opening on all other models.
Illuminator Bright LED illuminator with variable intensity control and grounded 110 volt cord.
Warranty
Home Science Tools warrants this microscope to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and
service for the life of the instrument. This warranty does not cover light bulbs, batteries, or damage due to misuse, abuse,
alterations, or accident. Warranty does not cover lenses that have become inoperable due to excessive dirtiness as a
result of misuse or lack of normal maintenance. Any cameras and software supplied with this microscope are under
warranty for one year from the date of purchase.
You will need to return your microscope freight prepaid for warranty service to Home Science Tools, or the repair facility
we designate. We will repair or replace your microscope at no charge and return it freight prepaid to you. Please call 1-
800-860-6272 to arrange warranty service before returning this instrument.
Please note that warranties apply only to the original purchaser and are not transferable.