Lubricating laser focus mechanism

[snoutke]

Hi,

Just received this laser from O-like today.

The laser has a focusing mechanism.

The problem is, that the mechanism isn't smooth, it's rather harsh, and requires applying massive force to move it.

My question is, can I lubricate it with oil? Won't it damage the mechanism or the laser's lens or something else?

And if so, which oil will be suitable for the job? Will engine oil be good enough?

TIA

 

[Jufran88]

Hmm, you could try some silicone lubricant, the grease not the spray, but there could be other lubes you can use.

Or you can use some teflon tape. Found at most hardware stores.

Loctite silicone lubricant - 51360

 

[Eudaimonium]

We're skipping over one important thing here - It's not how to make it smooth to move.
It is not supposed to require massive force to move, in the start.

If it barely moves to focus, perhaps the laser is defective in some way, machined with some weird tolerances or possibly out-of-place watertight O-rings in the focusing threads.

First, unscrew the entire focusing mechanism and see if there's anything on the threads. If there's a silicone O-ring, remove it freely, laser is not supposed to be waterproof anyway. I always remove O-rings where they are not needed.

Second, about the lubricant itself - Personally I never tried it but I think it's a bad idea. It will eventually, no matter how or where you apply it, get on the critical parts (lens and diode) and you don't want that.

 

[snoutke]

:thanks:

In the meantime I'm going to leave it as it is.

Didn't have much time to examine it in detail, so maybe the problem is not so bad.

 

[Eudaimonium]

Okay then. Let us know how it goes. Hopefully it's just an O-ring.

Nice avatar BTW.

 

[viking]

If anyone is interested in making their focus ring action smooth like butter... I just put some thermal paste on my 405-G-2 Glass Lens Focus ring and now it has just enough "ease" and resistance...
before, it had a lot of play... rattle... bump it by accident and it turns wildly... anyway, I guess anything would work... vaseline even...

 

[Wolfman29]

Not necessarily the brightest idea. If any of that paste (even a speck) gets in between your diode and your lens, it's toast.

 

[DrSid]

Usually the lens are too loose. That is best fixed by silicone tape wound once or twice around the screws.

 

[Blord]

You mean Teflon tape. Silicone tape is too weak to hold anything.

 

[DrSid]

You mean Teflon tape. Silicone tape is too weak to hold anything.

I guess ..

 

[lasersbee]

I guess ..

Blord is correct... It is TEFLON tape or PTFE tape that is
commonly used to snug up the Threads on a Lens Module
for an Aixiz type LD Module because it is very thin and
designed for use on threads...

How To Use Teflon Tape - Plumbing Repair Guide - ACME HOW TO.com

This is Silicone tape and seems to be too thick to get
into the fine threads of a Lens Module...

X-Treme Tape - Self-Fusing Silicone Rubber Tape

If anyone is interested in making their focus ring action smooth like butter... I just put some thermal paste on my 405-G-2 Glass Lens Focus ring and now it has just enough "ease" and resistance...
before, it had a lot of play... rattle... bump it by accident and it turns wildly... anyway, I guess anything would work... vaseline even...

That is one bad idea.... unless you plan on buying a new
lens once it becomes contaminated with the Silicone Thermal
Grease....

Jerry

You can contact us at any time on our Website: J.BAUER Electronics

 

[DrSid]

Pictures ! I can understand that ! So yeah, I totally meant Teflon tape.