Tools for repairing lenses

DigiChromeEd · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 3462 Location: Northern Ireland

I'm looking for a good quality spanner wrench, set of screwdrivers and lens suction cups etc to begin my journey into the world of basic lens repairs.
Could someone point me in the right direction on eBay to the tools I need?

tomasg · Expire: 2014-04-28

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas

tomasg has started you off with some good stuff. The spanners he shows should work well for you. A word of caution about the screwdrivers he provides a link to -- these are Phillips and you don't want Phillips. You want "cross point," which are usually found in "jewelers screwdrivers" sets, such as these:

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-66-039-Jewelers-Precision-Screwdriver/dp/B00002X29G

There are sellers of lens cups on eBay. This is a popular set:

Click here to see on Ebay

The calipers he shows are digital calipers. You can also use dial calipers that are probaby just as accurate. I have a couple of sets of dial calipers that I've used for many years. I just recently bought a set of digital ones, but I haven't even started using them yet. To me, the dial calipers are plenty good enough.

Also, tools that can come in handy for just basic measurement chores are regular calipers -- inside and outside:

You take measurements off the tips. I've seen these same sorts of calipers with digital measurement components. Another basic set of tools that are handy, but probably only occasionally necessary are micrometers, such as these two: outside and depth:

Depth micrometers can get pretty pricey, but they're worth it when you need them.

marcusBMG · Joined: 07 Dec 2012 Posts: 1304 Location: Conwy N Wales

Micro-tools Europe is the best source of JIS screwdrivers Ed (while we're still in the EU). You will also need good quality small jewellers/modellers flat screw drivers for set screws and the like. I have a Starrett with a 1/16th blade, that's actually slightly too big for the smaller set screws - tends to damage the thread. I also have a cheap Rolsen screwdriver set from Maplins so I filed down the smallest flathead bit from that. I made a slight mistake when I got that set, I should have got the set that included extending rods for reach.
JIS - I have both JIS #00, #0 and #1 bits for the Starrett and individual plastic handled ones (rarely use #1).

http://www.micro-tools.de/en/Screwdrivers-oxid/Individual/JIS-Type/

update - cheap Starrett. get a .070" bit from micro-tools

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Starrett-LS555E-Screwdriver-Jewellers-100In-Starrett-555E-/122246223217?hash=item1c76715571:g:1DcAAOSwnQhXntN5

I use a piece of plastic pipe with double sided sticky tape over one end to remove eg name plates. Haven't yet run into a situation where I needed a lens element sucker - I have one of those coat hooks with a sucker standing by.
Another item I have had recourse to is a strap wrench.

I should also have got a lens spanner with splayed ends as recommended above... One of the characteristics of a good one is that the locking mechanism is effective so the spanner doesn't lose its fit and slip out of the slots, scratching something. Mine is a poor one, I tried to improve things by dremelling the horizontal bars which helped a bit.

Lens element cleaning accoutrements are the other thing to consider. I mainly use acetone*, cheap zeiss lens wipes from Asda, micro fibre cloths and lens pens.
* also essential to soften thread locker.

I did quite a bit of reading and hunting around for helicoid grease. A guy in Canada was selling Nikon grease for a while. Eventually I just shrugged my shoulders and picked up a cheap little tub of lightweight white lithium grease off ebay. Its worked well on eg the Tamron Nestars etc and other similar lenses. But I have no real idea about its durability.
That's all I can think of at the mo...

DigiChromeEd · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 3462 Location: Northern Ireland

Thank you for all your replies, plenty of good information and recommendations. Thank you!

Gardener · Joined: 22 Sep 2013 Posts: 950 Location: USA

You'll eventually need more than one spanner. I have two, and I still long for that thorlabs thing .

Do not buy jeweler's screwdrivers. Get Vessel 910's - you'll thank me when you tackle you first Nikkor mount screw.

I never used a suction cup. Perhaps I do need one.

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I've got this set of Moody screwdrives from Microtools and I'm very pleased with them.

http://www.micro-tools.de/en/Screwdrivers-oxid/Individual/JIS-Type/JIS-Type-S-Driver-Set-Pollicis.html

DigiChromeEd · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 3462 Location: Northern Ireland

Thanks marcusBMG & Lloydy for your recommendations from Micro-Tools Europe. Their set of Moody JIS screwdrivers are back in stock and I've just ordered a set.

exaklaus · Expire: 2011-12-02

I strongly (!) recommend this Flexiclamps!
Bought this set many, many years ago and never regretted it.
http://www.micro-tools.de/en/Flexi-Clamps-oxid/Flexiclamp-Set-Of-20.html

DigiChromeEd · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 3462 Location: Northern Ireland

marcusBMG · Joined: 07 Dec 2012 Posts: 1304 Location: Conwy N Wales

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas

Just to add, the tiny grub screws are often found on lens sleeves and barrels that are used to keep them in place. I've found these to be the most common locations for them. Sometimes you will find some that are even smaller than 0.070" wide. I have some small blade screwdrivers that are maybe .040" or .050" that I use for the really small ones.

DigiChromeEd · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 3462 Location: Northern Ireland