Search found 62 matches

by PrecisionInstruments
Tue May 26, 2020 3:50 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Leitz Laborlux 12 darkfield filter
Replies: 4
Views: 2994

Re: Leitz Laborlux 12 darkfield filter

Does your condenser have a slot on the right side similar to this picture?
A7F27ABC-1327-4550-87C2-E6FEC7237995.jpeg
A7F27ABC-1327-4550-87C2-E6FEC7237995.jpeg (168.2 KiB) Viewed 2943 times
by PrecisionInstruments
Thu May 14, 2020 11:14 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Olympus CX31 stuck objective
Replies: 9
Views: 4198

Re: Olympus CX31 stuck objective

If you are referring to the X & Y linear bearings, I do not bother disassembling them. I do flush the old lubricant out and replace with new by feeding in from ends. Racking the stage back and forth will drag it in, you only need a very small amount. I do take the controls apart for replacing lubric...
by PrecisionInstruments
Tue May 12, 2020 11:08 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Olympus CX31 stuck objective
Replies: 9
Views: 4198

Re: Olympus CX31 stuck objective

Central screw is standard thread, though plenty of factory lock tight applied. The screw is easily damaged when trying to undo, unless plenty of heat by flame has been applied. The whole top arm is required to be replaced if screw gets damaged.
by PrecisionInstruments
Fri Mar 20, 2020 1:55 am
Forum: Collecting microscopes and slides
Topic: Recommend grease?
Replies: 57
Views: 94672

Re: Recommend grease?

No need to apologise mate, I didn’t think anything of it.
According to the misses, My written txt is sometimes abrupt sorry. I call it factual ;)
by PrecisionInstruments
Thu Mar 19, 2020 9:00 am
Forum: Collecting microscopes and slides
Topic: Recommend grease?
Replies: 57
Views: 94672

Re: Recommend grease?

The price is not unreasonable for 1kg ... if you are likely to use most of it ... I wonder whether that 24month shelf-life is real, or just convenient [?] There should be a good market for 50g pots or tubes of it if someone was prepared to produce them. MichaelG. I have seen it give no problems wit...
by PrecisionInstruments
Thu Mar 19, 2020 7:05 am
Forum: Collecting microscopes and slides
Topic: Recommend grease?
Replies: 57
Views: 94672

Re: Recommend grease?

[/quote] and the price disclosed :o [/quote] I paid $430AUD for 1Kg, though that was through possibly a number of hands before I saw it. For the two stages, I would expect you would use 1-2grams. I mentioned that you can get it directly through Kluber, which is incorrect sorry. I had to go through l...
by PrecisionInstruments
Wed Mar 18, 2020 12:51 pm
Forum: Collecting microscopes and slides
Topic: Recommend grease?
Replies: 57
Views: 94672

Re: Recommend grease?

A very interesting discussion! I am in the process of reviving two gliding stages for stereos, a Wild and a Leica. The Wild one was absolutely and completely stuck while the Leica one barely moves when considerable force is exerted. If these stages are the round type containing the 120mm stage plat...
by PrecisionInstruments
Fri Feb 07, 2020 1:26 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: 23.2 vs 30mm
Replies: 38
Views: 18939

Re: 23.2 vs 30mm

Only downside to larger field of view is brightness. Not as bright, though may not be an issue in most circumstances.
Older fluorescence microscopes using only 50W mercury lamp had small f.o.v eyepiece to get good signal from specimen.
by PrecisionInstruments
Sun Feb 02, 2020 5:31 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Olympus BX60F
Replies: 22
Views: 15679

Re: Olympus BX60F

Hi Zero, The 1512 is a great instrument that will stand the length of time, if not having done so already. Leica’s 410 is Kluber Nontrop KR 291. This is used on the knife holder bed, as well as the vertical dovetail type bearing. There are rubber pads used in these bearing surfaces that you have to ...
by PrecisionInstruments
Thu Jan 30, 2020 2:17 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Test to verify a second hand microscope
Replies: 5
Views: 3085

Re: Test to verify a second hand microscope

Typical signs of DMLS that could be an issue:
- binocular head IPD unable to be adjusted/tight due to old lubricant
- focus being seized due to old lubricant

Both hopefully being not the case if being nicely serviced.
by PrecisionInstruments
Wed Jan 15, 2020 1:00 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: BH-2 Focus adjustment question
Replies: 17
Views: 6798

Re: BH-2 Focus adjustment question

I would not suggest to use lubricant from a spray can, the propellant can cause damage to the metal parts. I have only ever used Olympus and Leica original lubricant so am unsure of what else can be used which is readily available, maybe Black molykote? With the gear box in place, and the fine focus...
by PrecisionInstruments
Tue Jan 14, 2020 2:02 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: BH-2 Focus adjustment question
Replies: 17
Views: 6798

Re: BH-2 Focus adjustment question

Not a problem. It’s great that the gear box in intact and teeth have been stripped. I have only one original box left, and have had to machine up the gear that normally strips. It is possible that the nylon gear in the planetary gear box has become defective. Luckily, the newer BX 1&2 series use the...
by PrecisionInstruments
Tue Jan 14, 2020 1:07 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: BH-2 Focus adjustment question
Replies: 17
Views: 6798

Re: BH-2 Focus adjustment question

Forgot to mention, When reinstalling the gearbox, be careful to have the teeth mesh with the rack correctly (not on top of each other). Have the 2.5mm Allen screws slight loose, lift the focus block (or stage) up ever so slightly then tighten the screws. Sometimes the coarse focus can feel lumpy if ...
by PrecisionInstruments
Tue Jan 14, 2020 12:55 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: BH-2 Focus adjustment question
Replies: 17
Views: 6798

Re: BH-2 Focus adjustment question

Sometimes shims have not been applied. Depending on the backlash between gear box and rack which you can now see, some maybe applied to take up the excess slack. There should always be a small amount of play though. The lubricant in the gear box looks like it requires replacing. It should spin quite...
by PrecisionInstruments
Mon Jan 13, 2020 11:42 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: BH-2 Focus adjustment question
Replies: 17
Views: 6798

Re: BH-2 Focus adjustment question

A tight fitting pin punch works well, or a 3mm Allen key. The lubricant would have become dry, gluing the collar in place. There is also a gear box in the back of the stand, behind the panel on rear of stand held on by four small Phillips screws, which will most likely be seized up as well. The gear...
by PrecisionInstruments
Fri Dec 27, 2019 9:33 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: My Leitz Orthoplan
Replies: 85
Views: 52912

Re: My Leitz Orthoplan

Yes, I totally understand. I myself no longer have access to the original Leitz collimator kit. I am hoping that one day again I will have it in my hands. The target was a laser etched cross hair on a centred circular surface mount mirror. It could be placed in mounts to adapt to areas like the tran...
by PrecisionInstruments
Mon Dec 23, 2019 12:39 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: My Leitz Orthoplan
Replies: 85
Views: 52912

Re: My Leitz Orthoplan

Hi Guys, It may not be visible to the eye, though the mirror would originally have been aligned in both the horizontal plane and angle in the factory or trained service tech. Having it out of alignment/collimation may not interfere with a obtaining a decent image, though I would prefer my scope to b...
by PrecisionInstruments
Tue Dec 17, 2019 11:23 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: My Leitz Orthoplan
Replies: 85
Views: 52912

Re: My Leitz Orthoplan

Hello Janvangastel, I do not come on here as often as I’d like, so I apologise if you reply to this and I don’t answer for some time. Internally, your original power supply has a carbon roller that rolls across an open wire wound transformer to adjust its power output. Where the carbon roller rests ...
by PrecisionInstruments
Mon Nov 04, 2019 10:29 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: New member: need Ortholux help please!
Replies: 6
Views: 4508

Re: New member: need Ortholux help please!

Is it the Ortholux I series microscope? If so, to remove the binocular head you have to push the silver lever on the right hand side at the top of main microscope limb in, then slide the binocular upwards. It’s on a dove tail.
by PrecisionInstruments
Thu Aug 08, 2019 5:34 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Leitz Diaplan condenser problem
Replies: 5
Views: 3846

Re: Leitz Diaplan condenser problem

No tricks. And by condenser clamp, I trust you speak of the little knurled knob on the left.
Does the clamp/knob twist? No = problem, Yes = next
Does the condenser shift forward at all when clamp is released? No = problem with condenser dovetail mount, most likely old lubricant. Yes = No Problemo!!
by PrecisionInstruments
Thu Aug 01, 2019 12:58 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Pol Stage (petrographic)
Replies: 1
Views: 2291

Re: Pol Stage (petrographic)

a) It is a legit Pol rotatable stage. The attachable mechanical stage on top is an accessory mainly used for high magnification adjustments. Placed on the correct microscope, the overhang should not be an issue, in terms of colliding with microscope frame/limb. b) the cut out’s in the inner disk are...
by PrecisionInstruments
Sun Jun 30, 2019 9:33 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Walton/Becket eyepiece graticle Olumpus BX40
Replies: 16
Views: 7920

Re: Walton/Becket eyepiece reticle Olumpus BX40

mrsonchus wrote:
PrecisionInstruments wrote:Didn’t come with a HSE Test Slide did it?
No, there was just the reticle......
Bugger!! They’re worth a pretty penny
by PrecisionInstruments
Thu Jun 27, 2019 6:28 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Walton/Becket eyepiece graticle Olumpus BX40
Replies: 16
Views: 7920

Re: Walton/Becket eyepiece graticle Olumpus BX40

Didn’t come with a HSE Test Slide did it?
by PrecisionInstruments
Thu May 23, 2019 12:09 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Darkfield using Olympus BH2/BHS
Replies: 5
Views: 7909

Re: Darkfield using Olympus BH2/BHS

The BH2 (BHT, BHTU, BHS) had either a dedicated Darkfeild condenser, or a dark field ring incorporated in the phase condenser turret. These would fit into the position where your current condenser is. I believe the condensers in the links or above post would not be compatible with your microscope.
by PrecisionInstruments
Thu May 23, 2019 11:33 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: How to remove Reichert microtome chuck?
Replies: 34
Views: 20415

Re: How to remove Reichert microtome chuck?

Now for the question. I have added a close-up of the front of the machine below. There are two light expansion springs and two pairs of round pins that are not being used for anything. Since one end of each spring is fixed the other ends must go to something that moves. The springs are very light s...
by PrecisionInstruments
Tue May 21, 2019 1:09 pm
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: How to remove Reichert microtome chuck?
Replies: 34
Views: 20415

Re: How to remove Reichert microtome chuck?

By the looks, you have a RM2045. A semi motorised beautiful specimen. The advance mechanism from these series (2035, 2045, 2055) are still used today on the Leica RM2125RTS. The advance and retraction is purely mechanically driven. The only electronic function in the specimen advance and retract fun...
by PrecisionInstruments
Wed May 15, 2019 7:11 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Problem with Swift Optical SM80 Stereo Miscroscope
Replies: 1
Views: 2129

Re: Problem with Swift Optical SM80 Stereo Miscroscope

I’d say the lubricant between both items 10 and 13 is dry and turned to glue. Should not have to remove 18 from 10, otherwise collimation error will be an issue.
by PrecisionInstruments
Mon May 13, 2019 9:48 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Wild Leitz Laborlux S Coarse/Fine Focus
Replies: 3
Views: 2637

Re: Wild Leitz Laborlux S Coarse/Fine Focus

Great!! Yes, the lubricant in these barrels turn green after a period of time (good old Leica 410). The two brass lock nuts are to be set to a nice tension where the coarse focus feels a nice drag, but can cause the stage to fall if too loose.
by PrecisionInstruments
Mon May 13, 2019 10:06 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Wild Leitz Laborlux S Coarse/Fine Focus
Replies: 3
Views: 2637

Re: Wild Leitz Laborlux S Coarse/Fine Focus

What exactly was disassembled? The focus barrel mechanism or the z-axis linear bearings?
The barrel has no influence on the height stop, though it is crucial for tension.
Which knob is drifting/falling? Coarse or fine knob?
by PrecisionInstruments
Wed May 08, 2019 12:11 pm
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Leitz wetzlar orthoplan 402a condenser does not rotate
Replies: 12
Views: 10561

Re: Leitz wetzlar orthoplan 402a condenser does not rotate

The lubricant has most definitely turned green and dried out, a common occurrence for this particular Leitz/Leica lubricant after a period of time (10+ years). If you would like to clean and replace with original factory lubricant which was called 410, it is actually a Kluber lubricant called NONTRO...