Microscope service usually involves complete cleaning of all optical surfaces and dismantling mechanical parts (stage, lamp, focus drives, etc.) for removal (ultrasonic clean) of old lubricants and refitting for proper factory recommended lubrication of these components. It takes a Leitz expert to overhaul a focus block. The photo below shows the internal planetary gear mechanism from a Leitz Ortholux II microscope. Centerable objective nosepieces from a polarized light microscope must be fully functional for proper centration of the objective to the stage optical axis. Collimation (nosepiece, stage, condenser) is critical. All Bunton microscopes are checked and adjusted prior to shipment to the customer......has been this way for over 60 years!
HOW TO CLEAN MICROSCOPE OPTICS: There are so many methods for "cleaning" objectives, eyepieces and condenser lenses. Let me tell you about some cleaning tools that you will not see on these procedures ...many are totally incorrect and outdated. Our methods involve dust-off air guns, ROR and G-Tips...plus clean white styrofoam! ROR (residual oil remover) can be ordered on line: www.ROR.net. G-Tips as well...."G-TIPS Gun Cleaning". Some Kodak lens cleaner can come in handy. Probably the most common cause of "hazy" images with an optical microscope are totally neglected optics. If you remove one of your oculars and invert it you will have a nice 10x loupe. Get in close with the eyepiece and take a look at your 40x high-dry objective. Oculars are quite hazy from fingerprints, eyelash oils and even eye make-ups of all kinds. Do yourself a favor and check your optics from time to time....end of each week if your scope has multiple viewers.
Contact us if you would like specific step-by-step cleaning procedures that are easy and completed in minutes...no charge. Get in the supplies noted here and we can get you started properly.
IF YOUR LEITZ MICROSCOPE HAS A VERY STIFF OR FROZEN FOCUS DRIVE WE CAN HELP OUT. SHIP BUNTON YOUR MICROSCOPE STAND AND WE CAN GIVE YOU AN ESTIMATE FOR A COMPLETE CLEAN AND LUBE....THEY NEED THAT EVERY 10-20 YEARS AND WE HAVE THE EXPERTISE AND PROPER FACTORY LUBES TO GET YOU BACK IN OPERATION- TYPICAL FOCUS DRIVE FIELD STRIP AND LUBE IS UNDER $500.00 - LEITZ MICROSCOPES ONLY
Service offered on general laboratory instruments as well as sales of RRR (Recondition, Repair, and Reuse) lab equipment of all kinds ..... BaneBio "Home of the Scientific Supermarket"
www.banebio.com
Aside from the accumulated dirt and grime from years of use, the most frequent trouble spot on an optical microscope is the focus drive. Very few service people know how to do these focus block overhauls much less use the correct lubricants or reassembly and adjustment procedure. Another common problem with microscopes involves their light source. Bad sockets, circuit board components in power supplies and hard to find correct bulbs are a real challenge. Beside the focus block, the next problem area is the mechanical stage and nosepiece. All of these require complete disassembly, lubrication and reassembly. See some of our LED illumination options on the MICROSCOPE ACCESSORIES page.
We are experts in updating illumination systems for microscopes. We sell LED retrofits (another R) to replace old incandescent bulbs and power supplies. We put a One Year Warranty on all Bunton RRR microscopes.
Save a microscope from the landfill .... and save a lot of money at the same time!
