Stage Leveling Tool

[carlh6902]

Looking to find a microscope stage alignment jig. The kind that screws into an RMS objective hole and allows you to judge the alignment of the the stage, relative to the objective hole.

Carl

[MichaelG.]

I can’t help you find one, Carl … but hopefully the links in this old post will be of interest:
https://www.microbehunter.com/microscop ... 635#p94635

MichaelG.

[MichaelG.]

Curiosity took me here:
https://www.manta.com/c/mms6qnm/rosenfelder-optics

MichaelG.

[Tom Jones]

I've never seen one, but perhaps something like this could be adapted using a modified objective, filled and bored out or drilled to hold the shaft? Even one dial indicator would work fine as long as you can rotate the shaft.

Another thought would be a small machinist's square laid along the side of the objective and referencing the stage.

[PeteM]

Good idea. Thanks, Tom. Here's a quick prototype. I'll mess with it some after a glue joint inside cures. A brass oilite bearing and a copper thrust washer provide the bearing surfaces inside the previously junked objective shell. The indicator spins freely and without slop. Probably best to mount it directly to a dovetail (as shown) where possible.

Carl - if you think this type would work, happy to provide details once I've checked it out.
-
-

StageLevelingIndicator.JPG (106.28 KiB) Viewed 16688 times

StageLevelingSpindle.jpg (102.24 KiB) Viewed 16682 times

StageLevelingSpindle_TestIndicator.jpg (109.6 KiB) Viewed 16682 times

[MichaelG.]

Strangely enough … we have now drifted into the scope of my recent thread:
https://www.microbehunter.com/microscop ... 14&t=18832

MichaelG.

[Macro_Cosmos]

Good idea. Thanks, Tom. Here's a quick prototype. I'll mess with it some after a glue joint inside cures. A brass oilite bearing and a copper thrust washer provide the bearing surfaces inside the previously junked objective shell. The indicator spins freely and without slop. Probably best to mount it directly to a dovetail (as

Lovely solution! I am copying that.

[PeteM]

Thanks. I made a second one that's a bit better. It starts with a short-barrel objective to provide more working distance, adds a lever arm to rotate it, and uses a commonly available indicator (Starrett Last Word) that easily attaches to a 6mm spindle.
.
.

StageLevelingIndicator2.jpg (100.43 KiB) Viewed 16550 times

[Tom Jones]

I like it!

[carlh6902]

Thanks for all the replies. Lots to think over.

Carl