Any practical optics expertise.........??

[bobc]

Old binocular microscope. One eye OK, the other "smudgy"
Problem seems to be in the bond in the middle of one of the pentaprism type thingys.
Can this be separated and rebonded by an amateur bungler?
seems a shame to fling it.....
The bond seems (feels) firm but looks as though it has separated somehow & a nightmare of fringing is going on in there.
Any suggestions welcome

 

[bobc]

It's in a pan of boiling water, just in case they used Canada balsam.
They don't seem to have.............

 

[bobc]

to my great surprise, that worked! one of the prisms has dropped off the other; with luck, it will be the right one.......
Now I have to work out how to bond it back together again.....

 

[markz]

Duct Tape, Gorilla tape is my go too.

 

[Jon NCal]

Balsam & xylene is still available, but UV optical adhesive is also available. Also it is possible to oil fill and tape in some applications, but maybe not in this case.

 

[bobc]

ebay sold me a few drops of Canada balsam for a fiver. I'll try the local paint shop for xylene.... Can I use acetone instead, isn't that better for prepping surfaces & removing fingerprints?

 

[Jon NCal]

I think that balsam you bought is meant for microscope slides. I had in mind the dry crystal form that must be dissolved in xylene. Not sure of what you bought will be useable. Here is a link to some info on recementing lenses:
http://forum.mflenses.com/re-cementing-doublet-elements-with-canadian-balsam-t34467.html

 

[bobc]

I think that balsam you bought is meant for microscope slides.

for sure, it appears it does the job but may be "runnier" than ideal (translates to taking for ever to go off).
That doesn't sound too difficult to work around.
I'm a bit more worried about lining things up correctly, though logic tells me it's not too bad with flat perpendicular surfaces like this, & the mike has "cross-eyes" adjustments (whatever the proper name for that is...)
The link was very interesting - and says I an use acetone thanks
If I remember I'll let you know how I get on...

 

[bobc]

Microscope back together now, so far so good (seems good as new). Even still perfectly aligned!
Pan of boiling water
Canada balsam
nail varnish remover
excellent!!!

 

[bobc]

Works a treat, seemingly good as new.
Now do you see where the phrase "penny washer" comes from