MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

Hi The instructions on adjustment included a procedure to fix my exact problem. That is to rotate the right eye piece that is held in place with a set screw. In my case the set screw is missing. I need a replacement screw but there is absolutely no danger of finding spare parts here. If I can't find...

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Is there any guidance on correctly positioning the objectives cells on the slide bars?

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No. If I zoom, I have to refocus. It doesn't matter whether I focus in or out.

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I thought it should stay in focus on zoom. It is not a show stopper. I don't adjust zoom too often.
I only have one adjustable ocular, and I have already adjusted that for my eyesight.

Does anyone have a picture of the jigs?

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When I zoom my B&L SZ4, it doesn't stay in focus.
Is this normal?
Is there an adjustment?

Hi For the benefit of fellow newbies that find this post, I went through the process of buying a relatively new old stereo scope. There was no danger of finding a suitable instrument where I live, so I searched on e-bay USA. I generally prefer to buy good old stuff rather than cheap new things. Old ...

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I got some Aliexpress eye rubbers. I paid enough to get comfortable soft ones that feel nice and don't smell. I knew they wouldn't fit before I purchased them. I printed adapters for the B&S SZ4. I have already found they help a lot in guiding my eyes to the right positions.

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Good to know.
I will just have to be patient and wait for the next "good" one.

Hi My reading is that the SZ7 is the fragile version. I didn't even know the SZ6+ existed until today. I have a 3D printer plus milling machines and lathes to make a replacement. Making something look "factory made" would be the hard thing to do. Adding the graduations would be time consuming. I don...

Hi This is an LED ring light custom made to fit a B&L SZ4 but the design could be adapted to fit other similar microscopes. It includes a fixed 12V plug-in power supply. The LED light source is diffused and non-specular, giving a soft even light, ideal for inspection or electronics repair. There are...

Hi I found a B&L SZ6 Plus on e-bay which looks good except for a cracked knob. This is minor, but the cost of shipping to me is so high that at purchase is only worthwhile if it is really good condition/quality. Untitled.jpg The graduations mean that I can't just use a similar knob. Is there a sourc...

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Would it help if I used different ocular eye lens? At present I am using the standard B&L eye pieces.
I don't wear glasses to use a microscope.

One thing to be sure of is that you and your scope eyepieces are at compatible heights. Ideally you should be leaning forward slightly with your head tilted down slightly. If you have to sit up real straight or hunch over a lot, it’ll be way more difficult to keep your eyes steady. I think the scop...

made aluminum adapters a while ago..now i just use bigger eye piecesScreen Shot 2022-02-18 at 9.42.57 PM.png I like that idea. I think I will steal it and claim all the credit for thinking of it :D I just need to find some eye rubbers. No danger of getting them here in my country. Just looked on Al...

I suppose I could 3D print something to fit me, my eyes and the microscope.
If I custom fit something, I don't see any need for rubber.

Hi This is a simple question for a simple problem. I can go through the process of statically aligning and focusing the ocular eye piece lens to align with my eyes. That process is sorted. The problem is that I have difficulty in keeping my eyes aligned with the stationary eye pieces in use. It is a...

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I have my 3D printer mounted on a concrete paving stone, isolated from the table it sits on.
Concrete is cheaper than marble.

The precision force applicator has been fully calibrated and found to be out of spec.
I'll have to find another one.

Hi I could make a tuned mass damper (TMD) by a lot of experimentation, or I can start by figuring out what the TMD component values should be so I can look for the right ones. First off, I measured the spring rate. This was achieved by applying a known force to the monitor arm, and measuring the def...

Hi I found this brochure https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/8360048/leica-flex-arm-and-swing-arm-stands on stands. There has to be a lot of flex in those extended arm stands. That in itself is probably not a major issue. If you bump something and the image moves, then stops, that should be OK. I...

Hi I thought I should explain a little about a tuned mass damper (TMD). TMDs are widely used to reduce oscillation in the presence of energy input. In effect, they soak up energy that would otherwise cause a system to oscillate. Examples include damping machine tool vibration to reducing seismic res...

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Just some photos of the unfinished base plate with stand fitted.

There is no doubt that the stand is more flexible than the B&L versions. It wobbles when knocked. I plan to fix that with a tuned mass damper.

Tests show the lower stand arm oscillates in torsion.

Hi This ring light was made just for a B&L SZ$ and aux lens. It was made to fit specific parts in specific ways. For example the: power socket is held in place with a captive nut that fits into a pocket, LED ring light clips in place. Only this particular brand/model will fit in this way and, LED in...

Hi I have finished my ring light. The final version has a slightly deeper shroud to reduce direct visibility of the LED ring light from the side. I also fitted a light switch to the rear of the light enclosure. The ring light slides over, and is held firmly by, the aux lens. No nasty screws to adjus...

Hi I use Design Spark Mechanical. It is free and good enough for what I do. There are a range of 3D CAD programs out there. Pick the one that does the job. I purchased a Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ kit. It is not the cheapest, biggest or fastest printer but it may be the most reliable. I print at night ...

Hi I have recently purchased an e-bay Bausch & Lomb Stereo Zoom 4. I am going to use it for electronics. It included a 0.3X auxiliary lens, which is just ideal for my application. The LED ring is intended for use as automotive angel eyes but I have used them for various applications, including a LED...

Hi After waiting 4months for my ebay Bausch & Lomb SZ4 purchase to be delivered, I went ahead and made the adapter for the computer monitor stand. I made the adapter from steel because the monitor stand specifications include a minimum weight. The steel adapter adds enough weight to bring the combin...

HI After a 4 month wait for shipping, my B&L SZ4 has finally arrived. It looks like it has come out of a clean working environment and had an easy life. First thing I am going to do is take it apart and clean it. That is what I always do when I get a new old item. Next I need to make a base plate an...

Hi Yes, the stand came with a wall mount and yes I have considered using it. The monitor arm has enough length to reach half way across the room (only a slight exaggeration). I am working in a domestic room where SWMBO would object to holes in the wall. If I was working in my (cold) workshop, wall m...

Hi The next problem I have is now big to make the table that the computer monitor arm is attached to. There seems to be two approaches. One is to have a big lump of metal. I can see the problem with this is flex in the desk top. The other approach is to have a big metal plate. That is the approach I...