Manky lens - removing the front element

puddleduck

puddleduck

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Andy Drake
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Hi folks

I bought a Nikkor 18-70 DX the other day. Its full of sand and crap, so I decided to dismantle it and give it a clean (as you do :D:lol:)

This is where I'm up to



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remove sealant from front element

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lens shoudl now unscrew at the point - but won't!

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A front element usually just unscrews (its like a big filter with shims) but this sucker won't come off - can anyone suggest a tool that will help? I need to unscrew it anti-clockwise.

PS: I know dust will never show, I just fancied doing it :lol:
 
Large valve grinding sucker?
 
puddleduck said:
A front element usually just unscrews (its like a big filter with shims) but this sucker won't come off - can anyone suggest a tool that will help? I need to unscrew it anti-clockwise.

PS: I know dust will never show, I just fancied doing it :lol:
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Look here:

http://www.micro-tools.com/store/home.aspx

They do tools fo such work!

Hope this helps
 
Full of sand and crap ! Where did you find it?, on a rubbish tip. Things normally do unscrew anti clockwise. You must have the correct key for the job, a couple of screwdrivers is asking for trouble. After the drivers slip and gouge the front lens you can always take it back to the tip.
 
puddleduck said:
I don't think that is the correct tool. My lens has two bits where I've placed the screwdrivers, so I probably need a spanner wrench.
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That's exactly what you need, something like this or a cheaper version. Good luck and keep us updated with pics :)
 
Col_M said:
That's exactly what you need, something like this or a cheaper version. Good luck and keep us updated with pics :)
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Thanks, I do intend to get into this and clean it out, once I've got the element out I'll take more pics - expect a big pile of leftovers I can't fit back in!! :lol:
 
What did you drink last-night Andy? I believe many here admire your knowledge on Nikon stuff, but to get into a lens's guts :thinking:

I am sure you will get it back up and running in no time, may be on manual focus only :p .. I just hope not missing an element or two.
 
Wail said:
What did you drink last-night Andy? I believe many here admire your knowledge on Nikon stuff, but to get into a lens's guts :thinking:

I am sure you will get it back up and running in no time, may be on manual focus only :p .. I just hope not missing an element or two.
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Actually this should be really easy - I've done an 18-200 VR for a friend. That lens is such a dust magnet, its really easy to remove the front element- in fact you can unscrew it with long finger nails and get into no problem, there are clear grooves on the front element.

The 18-70 seems a bit harder to get into though! :bonk:

Actually I'm pretty confident I won't end up breaking it :)
 
Col_M said:
That's exactly what you need, something like this or a cheaper version. Good luck and keep us updated with pics :)
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Wow, that looks like a surgeon should be using it. I have taken a couple on Minolta lenses apart, could have done with one of these.
 
I am sure you can do it, I never doubted that .. just thought it a bit too dramatic for my morning reading :p

Would love to see a step-by-step "guide" on this; and the mix of tools you've used along the way.
 
Have you tried using a flat head punch and soft mallet to "knock" the ring? It may just be a little stuck and need a little persuasion to release?
 
Not had much luck getting something with decent torque to unscrew it - too be honest the lens works fine (was using it yesterday!) so I'm tempted to just leave well alone at the mo, although I'm stubborn enough that I'll probably have another stab at it on principle :)
 
PD that is a shame I have a Sigma that I thought I would have a go at so was really interested in your exploits.
 
The problem is that the tools I need cost more than the lens!

If it was a 18-200 VR I'd be in and out like a rat up a drain pipe, but I can't get into this, I've tried "jam jar" opening grippy things to try improve my grip, jewellers screw-drivers, but I can't make it rotate even a fraction.

I wonder if these are actually glued in with Loctite, as frankly it shouldn't be this hard :)
 
Have you considered that they may be opposite thread? I know some Nikons are....


Kev.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
better still.....this is a tutorial on removing the front element to clean dust out of one ;)
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That looks good, not sure what tool he's using - I know how do this (done it with an 18-200 VR which is dead easy to get into), but its getting traction... might drop him a mail via Flickr actually :)
 
puddleduck said:
That looks good, not sure what tool he's using - I know how do this (done it with an 18-200 VR which is dead easy to get into), but its getting traction... might drop him a mail via Flickr actually :)
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I take it you didn't do technical drawing at school, it's a drafting compass ;)

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Flash In The Pan said:
I take it you didn't do technical drawing at school, it's a drafting compass ;)

895E-D.jpg
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Yes, I know that, but mentions he's modified it with nails...

I've dropped him a line via Flickr, see if he's any more info on how he did this :)
 
The engineers ones I posted a link to are stronger. Should fit nicely.
 
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