19 replies to this topic

[Jim Davis]

I am refurbishing a home made 1960's telescope. It came with this eyepiece, which hasn't been used in a long time. The photos are after I cleaned it up a bit. It doesn't turn, and I was wondering if anyone knew which parts moved, and how it may be freed.

 

It is from Edmund's Scientific. I found a 1968 catalog online, and it appears that all the parts used to make the scope were listed in that catalog.

 

 

[Echolight]

It looks oxidized. Probably has a sliding barlow lens inside, on the bottom, that's stuck in place.

[DAVIDG]

  I have couple of these and they actually work pretty well.  If I remember correctly the eyepiece section at the top should move in and out when you turn the ring with the silver strips.  There is  a dot on the side that will line up with the numbers as you turn it to show you the focal length that your at. 

 

               - Dave 

Edited by DAVIDG, 09 May 2022 - 10:03 AM.

[ccwemyss]

Probably just has solidified grease. Typically, eyepieces like these used a helical slot that drives the barrel in and out with a pin that slides in the slot as you turn it. You would need to take it apart, clean off the old grease, and replace it with something like superlube. It looks like there is a setscrew in one picture, which may be the stop that keeps it from unscrewing completely. If you try to force an eyepiece with this design, the pin can get bent. 

 

The challenge is how to turn it while glued with old grease. If you're comfortable with cleaning optics and have the tools to disassemble the lens assembly, then you could try seeping some isopropyl alcohol into it via the lower edge of the rotating barrel. The risk is that the alcohol gets into the optics along with the dissolved grease, which would require taking the optics apart. 

 

Chip W. 

[Jim Davis]

Probably just has solidified grease. Typically, eyepieces like these used a helical slot that drives the barrel in and out with a pin that slides in the slot as you turn it. You would need to take it apart, clean off the old grease, and replace it with something like superlube. It looks like there is a setscrew in one picture, which may be the stop that keeps it from unscrewing completely. If you try to force an eyepiece with this design, the pin can get bent. 

 

The challenge is how to turn it while glued with old grease. If you're comfortable with cleaning optics and have the tools to disassemble the lens assembly, then you could try seeping some isopropyl alcohol into it via the lower edge of the rotating barrel. The risk is that the alcohol gets into the optics along with the dissolved grease, which would require taking the optics apart. 

 

Chip W. 

Yes, that is my fear with using a solvent. The scope this came with has been sitting around for a very long time. I had quite a bit of trouble even getting it out of the focus tube.

 

Edit: I may have to just try it, or I won't get anywhere.

Edited by Jim Davis, 09 May 2022 - 11:53 AM.

[apfever]

Hang on,  let me check mine. I had a couple of these out a few weeks ago or so, it seems. They were in good shape. I'll edit this post after I check them out. I believe one had the same circle three slice symbol. 

 

Found them. Aside from the turning band, they are identical. They also function the same both mechanically and optically. The turning band must have been a customized option for various retailers with big enough orders. I don't know the actual manufacturer. 

 

Turning the grip band raises and lowers the eye lens assembly. Both of mine below are in the high power 8.4mm position. Jim's in entry #1 are shown with the eye lens assembly retracted in the low power 21mm position.

 

There are 4 micro straight slot screws. Three screws on the ring towards the field side, and one screw on the ring towards the eye side of the turn band. No screws in the turn band itself.  Both of these work perfectly so I'm not going to open them up. The field lens is held in by an exposed threaded ring with spanner slots. I have no idea what or how much glass will come out the back if the threaded ring is removed. 

 

This almost makes me want an Edscorp version too since I have the scopes and original eyepiece sets to put one with. Notice they all have slightly different band grip designs. I might have an Edscorp one and not know it. Not checking. Not looking....this 'almost' makes me want an.........

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Edited by apfever, 09 May 2022 - 01:23 PM.

[deSitter]

Hang on,  let me check mine. I had a couple of these out a few weeks ago or so, it seems. They were in good shape. I'll edit this post after I check them out. I believe one had the same circle three slice symbol. 

 

Found them. Aside from the turning band, they are identical. They also function the same both mechanically and optically. The turning band must have been a customized option for various retailers with big enough orders. I don't know the actual manufacturer. 

 

Turning the grip band raises and lowers the eye lens assembly. There are 4 micro straight slot screws. Three screws on the ring towards the field side, and one screw on the ring towards the eye side of the turn band. No screws in the turn band itself.  Both of these work perfectly so I'm not going to open them up. The field lens is held in by an exposed threaded ring with spanner slots. 

You must have one of everything ever made! I sold a scope to some friends and included my .965 zoom, which I sort of regret! The eyepiece that is!

 

-drl

[apfever]

You must have one of everything ever made! I sold a scope to some friends and included my .965 zoom, which I sort of regret! The eyepiece that is!

 

-drl

Oh no no no.  Then I start getting random pm for parts. Out of the billions of vintage scope parts, I have nothing zip zero by comparison. Request never happen. 

 

Here is Jim's unit with red arrows directly on the three sliding contacts where lube can be applied. All of them seem safely distanced from glass but I can't say for sure and I'm not looking inside. 

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[Jim Davis]

 

Here is Jim's unit with red arrows directly on the three sliding contacts where lube can be applied. All of them seem safely distanced from glass but I can't say for sure and I'm not looking inside. 

Thanks for the research. Let's hope it works.
 

[John Rogers]

You can fix it for $35: https://www.cloudyni...-84-21mm-japan/

[Jim Davis]

You can fix it for $35: https://www.cloudyni...-84-21mm-japan/

May have to do that!

[apfever]

If you don't, I might. It looks like a nice Edmund piece. see my last statement in #6 above.

[Universe XY]

Wow, I paid too much. I just got a Edcorps model zoom.

 

No way to test it without a scope.

 

Anyone figure out who made the circle Y?

 

The 8.4 to 21 Zoom was selling for $26 in the 60's & that was equivalent to $260 so if had to be good for that time.

 

Still probably now it might rank with a new $50 zoom??? Was hoping for more. $35 was a good deal.

 

I bought one but still don't have a scope to test it.

Not even sure if it will be too long for a Meade ETX 90 Mak

Telescopes were going for $150 to $200 in the 60's so $26 was a lot for a lens when rent might have been $100 a month...

[Universe XY]

Got mine. 

It's in very good condition.

The center moves in & out when you turn the zebra ring.

Lots of metal weighs 150 grams

 

https://www.cloudyni...e-y/?p=13953790

 

[Astrokg]

I have one of these, it works well except when I shake it up and down something is loose in there? Is that normal ?

[Universe XY]

I have one of these, it works well except when I shake it up and down something is loose in there? Is that normal ?

Mine doesn't shake but my 26mm MEade 4000 Super Plossl did.

Not sure how a zoom works but you might try to tighten the retainer ring just a little.

It fixed my 26mm.

 

The 2 slotted indentations should be turned clock wise a little bit...

Edited by Universe XY, Yesterday, 12:48 AM.

[Astrokg]

Here it is, you hold the shaft and turn the knurled part. Nothing moves outside when you zoom the movement is internal. I can see a baffled lens move in and out inside the 0.965 end.

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[Universe XY]

Here it is, you hold the shaft and turn the knurled part. Nothing moves outside when you zoom the movement is internal. I can see a baffled lens move in and out inside the 0.965 end.

Mine I hope & it looks like more than 1 inch  is different.

That looks like a K not the Y...KOWA?

I looks like a .96.

 

If nothing moves & the ep won't turn it might be frozen with old hardened grease  which is not unusual in old lens.\

 

Sorry, but it needs some restoration.

[DreamWeaver]

According to an ad that Chuck Hards posted a few years ago, the Eikow (circle Y) zoom is an orthoscopic eyepiece. 
 

https://www.cloudyni...inds/?p=8902568

[Universe XY]

According to an ad that Chuck Hards posted a few years ago, the Eikow (circle Y) zoom is an orthoscopic eyepiece. 
 

https://www.cloudyni...inds/?p=8902568

Saw that post & it sounds like a nice zoom. $26.50 in 1969 was not cheap. About $230 in todays $.

Wonder who Japan Y is who made it.

 

I'm not sure if I can use it in my Meade ETX 90. I have measured the extending barrel at 51mm & it looks like it should clear the mirror.

https://www.cloudyni...138/?p=13954948

 

Also says it's a wide field but not so sure about that.