Help Fixing Microscope Head?
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 5:11 am
I have a fairly old but nice binocular compound microscope that I recently damaged and need to repair a detached mirror in the head. I have no idea how to even open the head, much less repair it. Does anyone know how to open this thing up (looking at my pictures)? I really love the microscope and would love to find a cost-effective way to repair it, if possible.
Here is what happened... I was in the process of replacing a lamp bulb and and was less than careful (total bonehead move on my part), resting the microscope on its back side. It slipped and fell to the side, hitting the left side of its head on the table, jarring the head and disconnecting one of the mirrors inside (it looks like the mirror to the right side of the left tube). From what I can see, the mirror does not seem to be broken -- the epoxy that held it onto the tube disconnected. I knew what happened because the left eye tube went black and I heard the mirror clinking inside. Although I can see and touch it through the tube, the mirror is too large to extract and I see no way to open the left housing that it is inside. No screws, no snaps, no obvious way to disassemble the housing (possibly interlocking sections?) I don't see cracks or obvious damage to the mirror, but it's hard to be sure. While I figured things out, I carefully stuffed a cotton cloth into the tube between the two mirrors (the other mirror looks fine) to prevent them from touching or getting further jarred. I am currently able to use the right eyepiece just fine and the left mirror doesn't seem to be moving thanks to the cloth.
I am a reasonably handy person, but I know almost nothing about the internals of a microscope. I am learning quickly, because I recently tore apart the base and fabricated my own gear to replace the original one that had worn out (reassembling and lubricating the bearings and assembly inside) and it seems to be doing ok. Like I said, I really love this microscope and with the quality of this thing (sturdy construction, nice optics, smooth mechanical stage etc.), I'd don't want to give up on it yet if I can avoid it.
Does anyone know how to open the (left) black box that surrounds the tube? I see now screws or anything to get me started. But once I open it, I'm hoping I can epoxy the mirror back in place. Please look at the pictures and let me know if you can help. Thanks!
Here is what happened... I was in the process of replacing a lamp bulb and and was less than careful (total bonehead move on my part), resting the microscope on its back side. It slipped and fell to the side, hitting the left side of its head on the table, jarring the head and disconnecting one of the mirrors inside (it looks like the mirror to the right side of the left tube). From what I can see, the mirror does not seem to be broken -- the epoxy that held it onto the tube disconnected. I knew what happened because the left eye tube went black and I heard the mirror clinking inside. Although I can see and touch it through the tube, the mirror is too large to extract and I see no way to open the left housing that it is inside. No screws, no snaps, no obvious way to disassemble the housing (possibly interlocking sections?) I don't see cracks or obvious damage to the mirror, but it's hard to be sure. While I figured things out, I carefully stuffed a cotton cloth into the tube between the two mirrors (the other mirror looks fine) to prevent them from touching or getting further jarred. I am currently able to use the right eyepiece just fine and the left mirror doesn't seem to be moving thanks to the cloth.
I am a reasonably handy person, but I know almost nothing about the internals of a microscope. I am learning quickly, because I recently tore apart the base and fabricated my own gear to replace the original one that had worn out (reassembling and lubricating the bearings and assembly inside) and it seems to be doing ok. Like I said, I really love this microscope and with the quality of this thing (sturdy construction, nice optics, smooth mechanical stage etc.), I'd don't want to give up on it yet if I can avoid it.
Does anyone know how to open the (left) black box that surrounds the tube? I see now screws or anything to get me started. But once I open it, I'm hoping I can epoxy the mirror back in place. Please look at the pictures and let me know if you can help. Thanks!