Where to buy a drop stop ring (?) for a pole-mounted microscope

[Scarodactyl]

Hello everone! This is something that I've been wondering about for a while, but finally have a pressing need to find out. What is the proper term for a "drop stop ring" (as I've seen it called once or twice), the round clamp used as a failsafe in case a pole-stand mounted stereo microscope (or macroscope in this case) comes loose, so it doesn't come crashing to the stage and break everything? And where can I get one? I have a Wild M400 mounted on a 25mm pole which does not have one. I believe Wild actually sometimes shipped them without so it probably wasn't lost, but I don't want to sell it without this vital part.

[abednego1995]

Hi!
Not sure of the exact part for the WILD (It's Leica right now isn't it?)
But if you wouldn't mind aesthetics, a cheap and proven option I use is a photographic clamp (from Manfrotto I believe) for use on their poles.

Cheers,
John

[zzffnn]

You may be able to find a suitable clamp from a hardware store, such as Home Depot. Which type or model would depend on pole diameter (take the pole with you to shop for clamps, if you can). Sorry, I cannot remember what those "clamps" are called exactly.

[MichaelG.]

For the similar, but much larger, item on the Camera Stand ... Wild uses the term 'stop ring'

MichaelG.

[75RR]

This is page 6 of the M8 brochure:

Small one with the tightening screw is the Safety Ring (it is meant to fit snugly under the drive housing), long one that sits on the stage is the Sleeve (it has no tightening screw).

I can provide measurements of mine if you wish.

[Scarodactyl]

Thanks! I haven't had muxh luck looking for stop rings either, but I am getting the feeling they just aren't often sold separately. However searching for the photographic clamps led me to some great keywords--I think the general term is a shaft collar? It looks like barbell clamps might offer a resaonable option too. I will have to do some shopping tomorrow.
Edit: I bought one of these because it looked nice: Ruland MQCL-25-A Quick Clamping Shaft Collar, Anodized Aluminum, Metric, 25mm Bore, 50mm OD, 13mm Width https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0063KSVF2/re ... BCb7E989KJ I will post about it when I get it.

[75RR]

That looks like a very neat solution. looking forward to your review

[MichaelG.]

That looks like a very neat solution. looking forward to your review

+1

MichaelG.

[Hobbyst46]

A very nice collar. Yet the specs are even more amazing!
Citation:
Item Weight 0.01 ounces
That must be a mistake. By about three orders of magnitude...

[75RR]

A very nice collar. Yet the specs are even more amazing!
Citation:
Item Weight 0.01 ounces
That must be a mistake. By about three orders of magnitude...

Found the weight: https://www.ruland.com/MQCL-25-A.html

Weight (lbs.) = 0.1220

that is about 2 oz or 55 grams

[PeteM]

Another sturdy (and cheaper) alternative would be any generic 25mm ID "shaft collar." These will be available from a wide variety of hardware sources (McMaster Carr, Zoro, Grainger, etc.). Hopefully this McMaster link will show:

https://www.mcmaster.com/shaft-collars

Even the 1" ID ones commonly on hand in the US might close down small enough (or be easily shim-stocked) to work. If you only need to set a drop-stop collar once, these might even be a preferred option. These are also easy to make if you have a friend with a metal shop who owes you a favor.

[Scarodactyl]

I would think those would be a great option for permanent or semi-permanent installation, but if you need to adjust the heigh of the head semi-frequently they'd need to be modified for easier tightening and loosening (something like epoxying an allen wrench into the set screw for a better grip).

[Hobbyst46]

I noticed this 1" shaft collars, sold by Amazon:

by Whittet-Higgins Company
Whittet-Higgins CC-16S Stainless Steel Clamping Shaft Collar, Self-Locking, 1.000" Bore, replaces Climax 1C-100-S, 1C-100-Z, H1C-100-S, Ruland CL-16-FZ, CL-16-SS, CL-16-ST, Stafford 1S100, 7S100,
...
Price: $10.13

It is advertised as "allow quick axial adjustment".

[Scarodactyl]

OK, I got it in and have installed it. It seems to grip very tightly and is solidly made, and its aesthetic qualities are favorable. The downside is that, while it is hand-adjustable it is not easily hand-adjustable, as the clamp is pretty tight. Oh well, it should be fine for quick adjustments.

[MichaelG.]

OK, I got it in and have installed it. It seems to grip very tightly ... The downside is that, while it is hand-adjustable it is not easily hand-adjustable, as the clamp is pretty tight.

Allow me the obvious question, please: Have you tried adjusting the screw ?
Ruland's own website indicates that this is standard practice:
https://www.ruland.com/MQCL-25-A.html

MichaelG.

[75RR]

Thanks for the update.

The downside is that, while it is hand-adjustable it is not easily hand-adjustable, as the clamp is pretty tight.

I imagine that it takes two hands to loosen it, which makes it a little bit awkward to readjust it while changing the microscope height.
On the other hand one only needs to readjust the microscope height when alternating between viewing vastly different sized items, and it is as you point out, aesthetically pleasing in the mean time.

Have you tried adjusting the screw ?

Good point, it need not grip that tightly to be able to stop the microscope from sliding down the shaft.

[Scarodactyl]

As it came it didn't quite grip the shaft and needed to be tightened a bit. Ease of operation didn't seem to vary much from semi-tight to really cranked down. If I were using it a lot I might consider replacing it, but my usage also involves a lot of adjusting as I currently swap objectives and zoom bodies on my M400 quite often. But I'm planning to sell this one, and it should be good for most peoples' usage.