Condenser Mounting

[nanoj]

This is probably a silly question but I better ask anyway before I break something.
I have a Kyowa ME-LUX 2L and can't seem to get the condenser into position. I think it is supposed to go in further, so that its top will just reach the underside of the slide.

How far condenser will go.

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It seems that the the spring steel inside the collar is too far out and prevents the condenser from being pushed up.

Spring in collar.

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There is a bit of a lip on the condenser that it catches on.

Lip between black and metal parts of condenser.

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Also, I do not know if the retaining screw, which I have removed, is supposed to push against the spring, or against the condenser itself (in which case somethings is misaligned).

[apochronaut]

The "lip" that you mention, in most cases, should have enough spring in it to return back to a parallel state with the rest of the interior of the condenser sleeve. Perhaps there is a lock screw or set screw behind it, stopping it. If you can get that "lip" or grip spring to back away a bit, your condenser will slide all the way into the sleeve.

I see a small hex head grub screw in one of the pictures. Is that behind that " lip", needing to be backed off?

[nanoj]

Sorry, by "lip" I meant the discontinuity where the condenser changes diameters slightly at the boundary between the black and the silver.
There was in fact a thumb set screw that would stop the retaining spring, but I set it back and then also completely removed it.
I can push the spring back with my finger so that it is flush with the inside of the sleeve.
When I try to insert the condenser I think the discontinuity at the black silver boundary is catching on the side of the spring and pushing it up rather than in.

[PeteM]

Sounds like the spring portion has deformed -- and needs to be pushed back so it permanently sits flush. Then you should be able to insert your condenser and use the set screw to secure it.

[bobm4360]

Often, a jeweler's screwdriver or a straightened paperclip can be used to push the spring finger flush to install the condenser.

[75RR]

Agree. You need to push the spring (see arrow) back far enough so that when you release it, it is level with the sides of the condenser holder.
Apply slow firm pressure. Don't do it in one go, a series of pushes is less likely to strain the spring.

[75RR]

Another method might be to loop some dental floss around the spring via the grub screw hole and pull it far back enough to get the condenser to slide in.

[MichaelG.]

Sounds like the spring portion has deformed -- and needs to be pushed back so it permanently sits flush.

Agreed ... Usually caused by someone playing with the retention screw whilst the condenser was not in position.

MichaelG.

[nanoj]

Thanks all,

I first clamped it flush overnight but that did not have a discernible effect. I then pushed gently a few times with the corner of a battery, as I figured the battery was too big to be able to push it too far.
It worked!

[MichaelG.]

... I then pushed gently a few times with the corner of a battery, as I figured the battery was too big to be able to push it too far.
It worked!

Good thinking !

MichaelG.