Trying to Replace a Broken Part 1915 Bausch & Lomb

[krupskaya]

Hi Everybody--I have a vintage Bausch & Lomb 1915 microscope that I got for Christmas in 1968. You probably know the model. It came from the USC medical school. I have been using it consistently over the past 50 years and so have my children. About a year ago one of the black knobs on the mechanical stage broke off. It appears to be a very hard plastic or maybe bakelite. Can anybody provide me with guidance on how to replace this part? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

[Charles]

There probably were several different models made, so a picture would be helpful. For part, eBay is probably your best resource.

[PeteM]

As Charles said, pictures and measurements would help.

I'd guess this was molded-on plastic to a ribbed shaft? If so you can likely find a small electronics knob of the same (or slightly smaller and drilled out) size and replace it. Hundreds of choices - you can probably find something close. These will have either set screws or a sort of collet-like gripping mechanism.

3D printing is likely another option as is machining something to match. Might also be you could epoxy the old bits together.

[krupskaya]

Hi. Thank you for your response. Attached is a photo of the mechanical stage with the broken knob.