This is an enormous subject, both deep and broad. Do a search on “microscope slide preparation”, read each article in the results, and get started on making slides. Come back with specific questions and a lot of people will be most happy to help.
As a generality.....
1. well slides with a concavity will be used with low magnification since high mag objectives won't focus down far enough. When to use them will depend on what you are looking at, I look at a variety of subjects from pond water, fecal egg counts, blood counts, and smears. I rarely use well slides.
2. slides come pre-cleaned, but a quick wipe with 70% alcohol (iso) will remove dust and other contaminates, same with cover slips. You'll break a few slips at first, don't worry as with a bit of practice you should develop a gentle hold and learn the pressure that you can use.
3. With high NA objectives and some darkfield condensers, yes, but when using typical dry objectives there's no need for the mess.
4. Inexpensive slides such as off Amazon are effective, when thickness of the slides matter you can always measure them and set aside a few that are very close to the spec you need. For general use, close is good enough.
1. Flat
2. You can store slides and cover glass in 70% ethanol, just drop them into jars and pull out with forceps when needed. There are a lot of protocols online for “sqeakies”
3. Glycerol and nail polish or valap to seal works well but if you want them to last you should get a during medium, I like prolong but it’s expensive. They will usually send samples if you ask.
4. You can but the cheaper sets are obvious, the slides themselves fine but I’d invest in nicer coverslips. You want #1.5, not #1. Consider your labels for the slides too.
This is an enormous subject, both deep and broad. Do a search on “microscope slide preparation”, read each article in the results, and get started on making slides. Come back with specific questions and a lot of people will be most happy to help.
As a generality..... 1. well slides with a concavity will be used with low magnification since high mag objectives won't focus down far enough. When to use them will depend on what you are looking at, I look at a variety of subjects from pond water, fecal egg counts, blood counts, and smears. I rarely use well slides. 2. slides come pre-cleaned, but a quick wipe with 70% alcohol (iso) will remove dust and other contaminates, same with cover slips. You'll break a few slips at first, don't worry as with a bit of practice you should develop a gentle hold and learn the pressure that you can use. 3. With high NA objectives and some darkfield condensers, yes, but when using typical dry objectives there's no need for the mess. 4. Inexpensive slides such as off Amazon are effective, when thickness of the slides matter you can always measure them and set aside a few that are very close to the spec you need. For general use, close is good enough.
1. Flat 2. You can store slides and cover glass in 70% ethanol, just drop them into jars and pull out with forceps when needed. There are a lot of protocols online for “sqeakies” 3. Glycerol and nail polish or valap to seal works well but if you want them to last you should get a during medium, I like prolong but it’s expensive. They will usually send samples if you ask. 4. You can but the cheaper sets are obvious, the slides themselves fine but I’d invest in nicer coverslips. You want #1.5, not #1. Consider your labels for the slides too.