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Zeiss (blc) 12x60 Observation binoculars

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2020 at 04:14
Current progress. The disconnection of the filters mechanism from the actuating spindle and handle
This was very stiff and almost impossible to move the filters into and of  alignment with the optical path.
After removing everything it was obvious it was down to the old lubrication grease, which was a lovely shade of Sh*t brown.

Cleaned all the old grease off and cleaned up the screws.

The adjustment /selection knob has a pin-post restriction so that that it can only be turned through a restricted range. It also has a semi recessed, non-captive ball bearing that engages three detents that mark the selection positions for the different filters.

These are the photos of the assy. I am now going to apply new grease, 'Dry white silicon' and then re-assemble everything back together again.

Then clean the filters and optics and put back together again. Hopefully with no parts left over.








Edited by DPI - February/22/2020 at 04:21
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2020 at 07:25
AAARRRGHH!

When they broke the eye relief adjustment screw shaft, they bent the locking screw as well so it's a drill and re-tap job.

I need a lump hammer and someone to beat to death.

Volunteers one pace forward!


Edited by DPI - February/22/2020 at 10:25
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2020 at 10:23
OK!

All optics cleaned, inside and outside. All blue paint removed, Filter assy removed, cleaned and re-greased.
Optics carrier plate refitted the interface between plate and body cleaned and re-greased to provide air seal.

Next is to give the whole a good external de-greasing and a light rub down. Light primer coat and then re paint with German Ordnance Tan to finish. I would have left it as original, but the reason for repainting became obvious. Multiple scrapes and dings down to metal all over.

The broken eye relief adjustment rod problem I will leave for the moment, I don't have a replacement yet anyway.



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2020 at 11:39
Don, do you collect these, collect for resale?  This has got to be a pretty involved hobby.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2020 at 12:29
I collect them, I have not sold any to date. I started doing this while in Afghanistan. Started with Russian optics bought in the market.

This pair I have been working are one of a batch of 2850 that were made during the war, according to Dr Hans Seeger's book, only eight are still known to exist.

Its a bit of an adventure each time really, you never know what you are going to find. I used to pay people to do this work and thought, what the hell, I can do this.

At the moment I have a box of CF41s, Mk5 7x50s, Mk 2 & Mk3 7x50s that all need work. Some of them will only be good for spares due to extensive damage.

Spare parts are impossible to get.
As I mentioned I have only found one set of the Zeiss 12x60s that could be torn down for spares with a clean conscience.


Edited by DPI - February/22/2020 at 12:40
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2020 at 12:50
Took them outside to test the view and check that the collimation was still good. No problems found. Filters working fine as well.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2020 at 13:56
That is awesome.  Very interesting stuff.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2020 at 14:26
Well the next on the assembly line is a pair of 7x50s that need the prism set put back together. The original Canada Balsam dried out and they separated. So I have just got a fresh batch of Canada Balsam and mixed up a solution ready to start fixing the prisms and repair the binoculars. I'll post on it when I start.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/23/2020 at 05:39
So, here I have finished drilling and tapping the locking screw holes. I had to tap them out to 4mm and using hex socket head 4mmx4mm set screws.

I have remounted the mask tray assy to the main binocular body as it is simpler to keep it there until I need to start cleaning and painting.

At the moment I am trying to decide whether to paint the entirety or to leave as much as possible of original paint and touch up the bare spots only. The cons on this is that it might lead to a 'patchy' appearance. I shall have to think more on this.

Any thoughts/opinions from anybody?

As you can see I have already started to mask off the other areas in preparation for paint.




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2020 at 01:50
Good news, The light engineering firm I asked to make the re-pro eye relief adjustment rod has let me know that they will be ready next month to pick up, if all goes well I'll be able to finish these next month.
 
Hope they followed the original piece correctly. They did propose a modification to make production easier, but I stipulated that it must follow the original exactly. So we will see.
 
I'll post photos of the part when I get it, I ordered five of them.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dogger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2020 at 04:31
Would love to see them restored to glory with a complete paint job, but I don’t know if this would devalue them.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/28/2020 at 10:22
It's a bit swings and roundabouts on the paint. With some it would be a down check, with others a good paint job is preferred.

At the moment I am still on the fence about it. I most likely will start of painting the bare metal parts and then see how that goes, if its no good, then it will be the full respray.

You saw the black hammerite ones above, I really like those, even though they are not in service original paint.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/29/2020 at 12:39
These are the 12x60s on the dedicated mounting, similar to the 10x50s and 10x80s, except the mounting plate is different, the mount functionality remains the same.




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/07/2020 at 03:47
So, this is what they look like mounted. I had to 'Bodge' the Pintle Pin mount as I am still waiting on those coming from the workshop. I had to design them in a CAD program and send the drawing off to be made.




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dogger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/07/2020 at 04:25
Looking very nice Don, can’t wait to see them painted.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/07/2020 at 06:07
Holding off of that until I have the eye relief adjustment knob replaced, as that is going to take some drilling and tapping to do. (If you look at the top photo in the last post, at the centre, towards the rear you can see the broken adjuster,) I should be able to pick them up from the workshop next week. Pintle pins as well I hope, they are just mild steel so not real problems there, simple turning on a lathe and a 6mm drill bit.

Once any engineering work is finished, then I'll paint them, otherwise I'd only have to do it over.


Edited by DPI - March/07/2020 at 06:13
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/07/2020 at 07:18
You should open a "wartime binocular museum".  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/07/2020 at 07:38
I think the War Museum has that kind market corneredWink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dogger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/07/2020 at 10:11
Don do you use xylene to dilute your Canada Balsam?  Used it a while ago as a final prep before painting and I still get dizzy thinking about it, powerful stuff!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/07/2020 at 11:04
Yes, I made a solution in my garden, in the rain (well it wasn't raining when I started) under a tarpaulin.

Tried doing it in the kitchen. Bad idea, really bad idea. Wife had several comments on the subject.

Cat gave me a dirty look as well. Good job the Daughter was not around else I would have ticked the 'Pissed off the whole family' box.
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