Re: 50's Leitz lab microscope restoration


"tbrown" <tbrown02001@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1148759014.398089.244550@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello all,
I have recently aquired a 1953-ish Leitz lab microscope that needs a
serious clean up. I envisioned removing the obvious screws from the
knobs that would then slide off so I could clean them in solvent or the
ultrasonic cleaner I wish I had right about now. Having bought a new
screwdriver that fit well, I removed the screws on the main focuser,
micro focuser, and x-y slide holder. None of these knobs slide off, so
I assume they are press-fit. If anyone could point me to the magic
"Leitz microscope disassembly" web site, that would be great. I'm
betting that does not exist, so any personal experience would work
wonders as well. Things I know I need now:

- A wide variety of difference sized flat-blade screwdrivers or bits
(preferred)
- Really tiny gear pullers
- Owner and service manuals for Leitz microscopes
- Patience
- Alternate ideas for a thorough cleaning

Please post replies as I can't read that email anymore.

Thanks,

Scott


Great questions! I make my living repairing microscopes so let me weigh in
with my opinions.

Solvents are important. Just about anything with a high vapor pressure
makes a good solvent. However a lot of high vapor pressure solvents will
try to kill you, ether and zylene come to mind. I use alchol, acetone,
water based cleaner (Sparkle, Windex) and heptane. All are very safe and
easy to find. I put them in a Menda bottle so when I push the top of the
Menda I get just a little.

For good tools try either P.B. Bauman (Swiss) or Wiha screwdrivers up to 5.5
mm, Excelite metric Allen wrenchs, Allen, Inc. Allen wrenchs and Nicholson
files. You'll need a full set of files from 6" Nicholson to watch makers
files. You'll also have a few tools to make. Buy an inexpensive small
screw driver and an inexpensive needle nosed pliers. Both will have to be
filed down so that the screw driver can be your prying tool and the pliers
can be your ring removing tool. Go to a watch makers tool store and get a
diamond handling tweezers, you will use these constantly. You just don't
need a gear puller, I never used one. There are a bunch of tools that are
helpfull but these will get you going.

For glass cleaning, use Kim-wipes, there soft, cheap and easy to get. Never
clean glass dry, never. Always use water based cleaner at least, usually I
use water based cleaner and alchol. I mix them on the Kim-wipe. You may
need some two headed Q-tips, when you go into an objective these work real
well. One side is great for cleaner and the other side is to wipe with.

What you really need is good lubricants. Try Dow-Corning, you will need a
heavy lub like Dow-Corning 111 and a light one like Dow-Corning 43 (?). For
a light lube Amsoil makes a red lub that works great. Please note, all of
these are synthetic, thats what you need. Don't even think about an oil.

You might find an E. Leitz manual for this instrument, anything can happen.
Service manuals were just parts drawings, those can be helpfull but
sometimes they could be very confusing. This instrument was made for one or
two months year, they always changed. The best thing is to make notes and
take pictures.

The best way to get a profesional maintenance job is to hire a profesional
microscope repair tech. It would cost a lot less and take very little time.
Check to see the companies around you. We work in the South East, if we can
be of any help let us know.

Kevin Cunningham
SMS


.

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