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Rangefinder (half-)mirror replacement?
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AuthorMessage
DenisP
Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 43
PostPosted: Fri Nov 22, 2002 12:56 pm

I've finally got my Pacemaker SG (2x3) a few days ago. I'm still playing around with it, getting to know the controls. So far everything seems to work OK - but the Kalart rangefinder (side-mounted). It *is* calibrated OK, only I can barely see the secondary image. I've opened the housing (following the procedure found elsewhere on this Helpboard), and cleaned the glass surfaces a bit. However, it didn't help. The upper piece of glass (half-mirror?) is completely transparent. If I understood others correctly, it seems that this piece of glass should be reflective - which in my case isn't so. I've found references from Ed Romney's article to Edmunds, where such glass can be obtained. However, living in Croatia, phoning the number supplied is a bit of a problem :smile: The phone call itself would probably cost more than a *very large sheet* of such glass. So, I wanted to ask you good souls out there if anyone has a small piece of this glass that could be used as a replacement. Or, perhaps a source where such glass/half-mirror can be ordered *online* (by e-mail, etc., not requiring expenive phone calls)?

Thanks in advance!

PS: this board is an invaluable source of info - it got me started with my Speed Graphic within a few hours :smile:

Regards,

Denis
Dan Fromm
Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2165
PostPosted: Fri Nov 22, 2002 8:32 pm

Quote:

On 2002-11-22 04:56, DenisP wrote:
I've finally got my Pacemaker SG (2x3) a few days ago. I'm still playing around with it, getting to know the controls. So far everything seems to work OK - but the Kalart rangefinder (side-mounted). It *is* calibrated OK, only I can barely see the secondary image. I've opened the housing (following the procedure found elsewhere on this Helpboard), and cleaned the glass surfaces a bit. However, it didn't help. The upper piece of glass (half-mirror?) is completely transparent. If I understood others correctly, it seems that this piece of glass should be reflective - which in my case isn't so. I've found references from Ed Romney's article to Edmunds, where such glass can be obtained. However, living in Croatia, phoning the number supplied is a bit of a problem :smile: The phone call itself would probably cost more than a *very large sheet* of such glass. So, I wanted to ask you good souls out there if anyone has a small piece of this glass that could be used as a replacement. Or, perhaps a source where such glass/half-mirror can be ordered *online* (by e-mail, etc., not requiring expenive phone calls)?

Thanks in advance!

PS: this board is an invaluable source of info - it got me started with my Speed Graphic within a few hours :smile:

Regards,

Denis
http://www.edmundoptics.com/index.cfm
45PSS
Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
PostPosted: Sat Nov 23, 2002 2:41 am

http://www.scientificsonline.com/EC/Products/Display.cfm?categoryid=192841
item #CR3043359 (50% reflect 50% transmit)

Cut with regular glas cutter and streight edge or square.

Charles

_________________
While a picture may be worth a thousand words, a quality photograph is worth a million.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2002-11-22 18:43 ]</font>
DenisP
Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 43
PostPosted: Sat Nov 23, 2002 4:45 pm

Thanks for your help, guys!
The "www.scientificsonline.com" link works, and I think I'll be able to order from there!

Thanks again and regards,

Denis
bertsaunders
Joined: 20 May 2001
Posts: 577
PostPosted: Sun Nov 24, 2002 12:50 am

I use the 50% beam splitter, it works nicely! Bert
clnfrd
Joined: 26 Mar 2002
Posts: 616
PostPosted: Sat Nov 30, 2002 1:37 pm

I received my piece of the 50/50 beam splitter from Edmund. It's only 1mm thick...only about half as thick as the original. Rather than get myself into trouble attempting to mount perfectly the thinner material, I cleaned the existing mirror which has lost most of its reflectivity...cut a piece of the new material to fit...and super-glued it to the existing mirror, just a tiny drop applied with a toothpick top and bottom. A "Moose Miller" repair to be sure, but it works, and required only a minor adjustment of the eccentric to calibrate it. How did you guys repair yours with the thinner material? Fred.
bertsaunders
Joined: 20 May 2001
Posts: 577
PostPosted: Sun Dec 01, 2002 3:25 am

I have in all cases replaced the entire mirror...used clear silicone to attach at rearmost position, and thin brass (bent on centerline)to form a holding spring, then filled in the front with silicone on a toothpick! Very strong, and very bright!
Bert
clnfrd
Joined: 26 Mar 2002
Posts: 616
PostPosted: Sun Dec 01, 2002 2:23 pm

For what seems to be the umpteenth time...thanks again, Bert. Will re-lick the calf. Fred.
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