Stereoscope optics hurt by smoke?

[Dale]

Could smoke from soldering on a stereoscope stage harm the optics? I personally
use a fan to protect myself.
Dale

[lorez]

If you are soldering under your stereo scope you should have a lens protector. It's a flat glass that fits at the bottom of the pod. Soldering fumes will ruin the objectives.

lorez

[Dale]

I jury rigged a petri dish a few times, but I need easy access to mount the 2X lens,
not to mention the led ringlight. The kind of stuff I like to work on, while
I wait for........
Dale

[75RR]

The kind of stuff I like to work on, while I wait for........

Are you still determined to go for an infinity system despite the getting less bang for your buck?

[Dale]

Lorez, what effect do you think those fumes might have on the focus and zooms lubes? I am aware
of the filming and delamination problems with glass parts. Just curious. Snorted a bit of teflon
gas in the 60's while repairing missile parts, but my warranty has expired!
Dale

[lorez]

Dale,

Lorez, what effect do you think those fumes might have on the focus and zooms lubes?

The acids in the fumes etch the objectives. The damage is irreversible, without complete replacement of the lens. The fumes would have the same effect on all parts of the scope, but the lenses were the first to go.

In the environment where I encountered this condition the scopes were an assembly line tool and were treated with little regard. Members of this group would groan and moan (not in a good way) at such a circumstance.

A lens protector and exhaust fan would be good.

lorez

[Radazz]

When I was a lab technician in the early '90s, soldering under the stereoscope, I used a 2x Barlo that extended the focus distance, and got the head 6" above the work.

I love the smell of flux in the morning...

[Charles]

When I was a lab technician in the early '90s, soldering under the stereoscope, I used a 2x Barlo that extended the focus distance, and got the head 6" above the work.

I love the smell of flux in the morning...

Jim,
I think the 2X would decrease the working distance while a 0.5 would increase it...

[Radazz]

I stand corrected. It is a 0.5x.
Hadn't looked at it in years.

[apochronaut]

Actually, I believe it was Sherlock Holmes who first noticed smoke damage to microscope objectives. After making three successive incorrect deductions, he realized that his Cherrywood pipe was allowing smoke to infiltrate the optical tube and cause the evidence to be murky at best. He subsequently, invented a modified Calabash pipe, where the bowl, through a convoluted series of bends and tubes was over his left shoulder. This solved the smoke damage problem but he eventually suffered from a twisted upper spine which necessitated orthopedic surgery.

[rnabholz]

Which begs the question Apo, what do you smoke in your pipe?

[apochronaut]

My favourite is Shagbark Hickory but if and when it is dry enough Red Oak will do. Lately though it's been a lot of American Beech, due to Beech Bark disease and once it gets here( shortly) the Emerald Ash borer will be sure to provide enough White, Red and Green Ash, probably for my coffin too.