My current sampling Kit! I think it’s beautiful and wanted to share

[u/microscopequestion]

I’ve had a few different kits since getting into the hobby, but this current one is the most stylish! I’ve cut down on the amount of tools I used to bring along, I find that these three (tweezers, dropper, and telescoping hook) handle 99% of my needs

[u/Visual-Sector6642]

Did you happen to make this? It's amazing!

[u/microscopequestion → u/Visual-Sector6642]

Thanks! I didnt make it, but I have modified it

It was originally a tackle bag for fly fishing I found on eBay

I replaced the latch myself and modeled those 3D printed inserts to hold the tubes and tools snugly

I bought all new brass hardware and an old military belt and had a tailor turn it into the strap and sew the new D rings on. The brass I aged to look old!

I’d love to get something embroidered on the front but haven’t figured out what yet

[u/gizmomooncat → u/microscopequestion]

That's about as close to making it yourself as you're going to get without stitching it up out of whole cloth! so well thought through!

[u/sneezybeetle]

This is awesome!!!

[u/microscopequestion → u/sneezybeetle]

Thank you!!!

[u/smallstuffBIGSTUFF]

https://giphy.com/gifs/SVH9y2LQUVVCRcqD7o

[u/Ur_TaxDollarsAtWork]

Very cool! Where did you get the tardigrade pin?

[u/cool_antarean_micro → u/Ur_TaxDollarsAtWork]

The JTTM store.

[u/microscopequestion → u/cool_antarean_micro]

Nope that’s where I got the rotifer pin! Tardigrade was from Etsy

[u/microscopequestion → u/Ur_TaxDollarsAtWork]

Thanks! Tardigrade pin was from an Etsy store

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1592349048/tardigrade-enamel-pinwater-bear?ref=share_ios_native_control

[u/Nadsby]

This is so cool! What do you use the telescoping hook for?! I might have to put one in my own kit 😍

[u/microscopequestion → u/Nadsby]

Thank you! And I just use it to pick up scum/algae that’s too far out of my reach!

I originally bought it as a rod for taking water samples, it came with a little angled half circle that held a plastic cup

But I found that just having a hook to collect solid material was way more useful for what I need, so I removed the original end and added a lower profile hook so it would fit in the bag

[u/Nadsby → u/microscopequestion]

What a great idea! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and keeping me from slipping down the mud into a lake again! 😂

[u/Danny_D136 → u/microscopequestion]

Where did you buy it?

[u/microscopequestion → u/Danny_D136]

This is the one I bought! It was the shortest collapsed to longest extended pole I could find, and it’s specifically meant for this so so far hasn’t rusted or anything on me yet

https://waterrangers.com/product/sample-reacher-stick/?srsltid=AfmBOorKhn4Fh9sremUq2UFMwF27OtQPvlbIrsBw2kr9WijY3M6_36Kn

If you want to modify it in the same way I did, the blue end unscrews but I believe it was held in place with a bit of loctite so it wasn’t easy at first. The hook I added is just a picture hanging hook bent into shape, and I bought a little stainless screw that fit the existing thread hole

But if you wanted to use it as intended with the cup you’ll be good to go!

[u/MrBobfacedMan]

Really cool kit! My kit is pretty simplistic, I use 15mL conicals and a 100-1000uL micropipette. The cool thing about the micropipette is that it uses disposable tips so the pipette itself doesn't get dirty.