Zeiss Turret Condenser Question

[LouiseScot]

There is only one way the ring will fit with access cut outs for each post of iris position and no cut outs for the phase positions. If the cover is on and fits, it's probably on right.

Thanks - yes, I'm sure its on correctly. I'll investigate further tomorrow - the silver iris ring may just need some cleaning and/or lubrication.

Louise

[75RR]

There is only one way the ring will fit with access cut outs for each post of iris position and no cut outs for the phase positions. If the cover is on and fits, it's probably on right.

Thanks - yes, I'm sure its on correctly. I'll investigate further tomorrow - the silver iris ring may just need some cleaning and/or lubrication.

Louise

Sorry about that, was working from old memories.

What I can state (from more recent experience) is that on one of my rotating condensers, I need to loosen the screw at the bottom a bit (1/4 turn or so) to avoid occasional binding.

[LouiseScot]

Had another look today. It seemed to me that maybe it wasn't so much the silver ring being too tight but maybe the port selector being too loose. Adjusting the top/bottom screws didn't make any difference so I decided to bite the bullet and undo the bottom part. I knew there was a ball bearing there but when I removed the bottom section I couldn't see it. I decided it either hadn't been there or it had fallen off somewhere. I searched all over the (hard) living room floor but couldn't find it The only ball bearings I had that might have fitted were 3mm diameter but they were too big So I've had to order some smaller ones off Ebay though they're unlikely to arrive before the New Year. Oh well. At the same time maybe the spring isn't strong enough? Dunno where I might get a replacement/substitute as it's such a small spring. Meanwhile I might try and mount the optical part on its own and see if it might help with using a Sanderson (polycarbonate) prism. That was actually the motivation for getting the better condenser anyway, so I'll have a go tomorrow

Louise

[Hobbyst46]

You might the following thread, post #9 relevant:
​viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11189&p=93059&hilit=soap#p93059

I would scan the floor with a magnet to find that spring.
Anyway, that grease- covered spring probably did not roll far away...

[LouiseScot]

You might the following thread, post #9 relevant:
​viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11189&p=93059&hilit=soap#p93059

I would scan the floor with a magnet to find that spring.
Anyway, that grease- covered spring probably did not roll far away...

Thanks though that's a bit after the fact now! I should have been more careful when I separated the bottom part But never mind, at least ball bearings are cheap
I ordered 2.0mm ones as the 3.0mm one seemed much too big - do you think I should actually get 2.5mm ones?

Louise

[Hobbyst46]

You might the following thread, post #9 relevant:
​viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11189&p=93059&hilit=soap#p93059

I would scan the floor with a magnet to find that spring.
Anyway, that grease- covered spring probably did not roll far away...

Thanks though that's a bit after the fact now! I should have been more careful when I separated the bottom part But never mind, at least ball bearings are cheap
I ordered 2.0mm ones as the 3.0mm one seemed much too big - do you think I should actually get 2.5mm ones?

Louise

In my defense, can only testify that the 2.5mm ball works fine. If getting a 2.5mm ball seems a little far fetched, I can try and find another spare soap bubble tank with a 2.5mm ball in it. They are children's toys. Actually, the labyrinth in which the ball resides is not important, the children concentrate on the bubbles only !

[LouiseScot]

You might the following thread, post #9 relevant:
​viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11189&p=93059&hilit=soap#p93059

I would scan the floor with a magnet to find that spring.
Anyway, that grease- covered spring probably did not roll far away...

Thanks though that's a bit after the fact now! I should have been more careful when I separated the bottom part But never mind, at least ball bearings are cheap
I ordered 2.0mm ones as the 3.0mm one seemed much too big - do you think I should actually get 2.5mm ones?

Louise

In my defense, can only testify that the 2.5mm ball works fine. If getting a 2.5mm ball seems a little far fetched, I can try and find another spare soap bubble tank with a 2.5mm ball in it. They are children's toys. Actually, the labyrinth in which the ball resides is not important, the children concentrate on the bubbles only !

But do you think 2.0mm will be ok or should I definitely order 2.5mm? 3mm wouldn't go into the grooves enough or into the spring hole. So couldn't close the two parts together or operate the click stop.

Louise

[LouiseScot]

Thanks though that's a bit after the fact now! I should have been more careful when I separated the bottom part But never mind, at least ball bearings are cheap
I ordered 2.0mm ones as the 3.0mm one seemed much too big - do you think I should actually get 2.5mm ones?

Louise

In my defense, can only testify that the 2.5mm ball works fine. If getting a 2.5mm ball seems a little far fetched, I can try and find another spare soap bubble tank with a 2.5mm ball in it. They are children's toys. Actually, the labyrinth in which the ball resides is not important, the children concentrate on the bubbles only !

But do you think 2.0mm will be ok or should I definitely order 2.5mm? 3mm wouldn't go into the grooves enough or into the spring hole. So couldn't close the two parts together or operate the click stop.

Louise

Never mind, I've ordered the 2.5mm ones as well now

[LouiseScot]

A quick update... I received the ball bearings last week but only got around to fitting a 2.5mm one today. The mechanism works perfectly now I suspect the ball bearing must have been missing before, rather than actually lost by me! The condenser seems to be out of alignment with the objectives now so still some fiddling and fettling to do.

Louise

[Hobbyst46]

A quick update... I received the ball bearings last week but only got around to fitting a 2.5mm one today. The mechanism works perfectly now I suspect the ball bearing must have been missing before, rather than actually lost by me! The condenser seems to be out of alignment with the objectives now so still some fiddling and fettling to do.

Louise

Good to hear about progress !

[LouiseScot]

A quick update... I received the ball bearings last week but only got around to fitting a 2.5mm one today. The mechanism works perfectly now I suspect the ball bearing must have been missing before, rather than actually lost by me! The condenser seems to be out of alignment with the objectives now so still some fiddling and fettling to do.

Louise

Good to hear about progress !

Thanks - unfortunately I'm starting a course next week so will mostly have to put my microscopy stuff to one side for a few months. But I'll try and still do a bit when I can

Louise