Lens removal tool?

[Alaskan]

I have a beam expander with a 2 inch OD lens in the end I want to remove, the threaded ring holding it in has two tiny holes on each side of the ring, what tool is used to capture the holes in that ring to get a good twist on it? Anyone?

 

[trussmonkey25]

A pair of precision needle nose pliers, a pair of tweezers, a pair of chopsticks, your fingers, two nails and a vice-grips. Just use your imagination, you might have to make a tool.

 

[BowtieGuy]

Probably need a spanner wrench similar to this?
You can find them a lot cheaper, or make something yourself; I just used this one as an example.

 

[Alaskan]

Spanner wrench, that looks like the ticket, this thing is too wide for needle nose pliers that come in at an angle, I was considering a circle cutter but I would need to grind yhem down and i am sure, have uneven post thicknesses with my poor machine skills.

thanks, +rep next time the system allows me to do so.

 

[Pi R Squared]

I don't know the answer but are the two holes something like what you often have in the tailcap of a host? I also have one host that has the pill screwed in that way with the same kind of two holes you often see with the tailcaps. If you have one of those very sharp pointed stainless steel tweezers they might work, I also found that round nose pliers like the kind jewelry makers use for bending wire also work very good. If the holes are different than what I am talking about then I don't know, there may be a tool for that.

Alan

 

[Alaskan]

Yes, same thing and i have used tweezers and even bought a special tool which was like needle nosed pliers used to remove spring capture wrings but this lens ring is so wide and on so tight it wont budge with those.

 

[BowtieGuy]

Alaskan, I found that example under "Optical Spanner Wrench", there are more of that style wrench there, rather than in the regular spanner wrench heading.

 

[Alaskan]

:takeit:

Thanks again mate!

 

[APEX1]

a fine pair of tweezers. Works every time! I just used it on my sr-5 host
like this

[/URL][/IMG]I use

 

[Alaskan]

A 800 pound Gorilla must have tightened this ring down, without an exact fit for the holes and two prongs which are not angled to any degree, there is no moving it

 

[BowtieGuy]

Those threads may very well have an epoxy or Loctite type adhesive on them, combined with a fine pitch thread, and it may be a real PITA to remove.

Here is a poor mans alternative to a proper spanner; just use two metal dowels, or appropriate sized drill bits (installed shank first) into the holes, then use a piece of wood, or flat piece of steel with the two holes drilled in it at the correct spacing.
Slide the wood/steel piece over the drills, and as close to the work as possible, and twist. It will usually do the job. Good luck.

 

[Pman]

^Yes, yes, yes

 

[RedCowboy]

I have torn apart all kinds of optics, but if you want to preserve the threads for re assembly then a proper tool is the ticket.
If you just want the lens out, I often use a small screwdriver and a hammer and patience.
First I secure the work piece then I tap on 1 side then the other being carful to keep the small screw driver aligned to apply force into the ring notch at about 45 degrees and towards the threads and away from the lens.
After going side to side once it's loose its easy to unscrew.
A little impact beats a lot of brute force for getting stuff loose as often there is a bit of invisible sealant involved.

 

[Dr_Evil]

Snap ring pliers would probably work best.

 

[hakzaw1]

good luck

-- with all this great advice , if you fail -we all tried.



Chemicals can be your friend.. but sometimes not so much.
'Blaster' is nasty spray stuff that cuts glue etc and prolly bad for lenses.
solvents may dissolve your coatings
if you can work on those two holes and make it move a little that should break the hold of the glue -I've used a wooden mallet and a ice pick to tap gently.

 

[Pman]

I use fine point needle nose pliers that came in one of those small tool computer kits that work really well because they are really strong and can handle a LOT of torque. You can always by some thin needle nose at harbor freight and then grind them to a finer tip. Because you have actual needle nose pliers you have a lot of handle to apply the torque.