Re-lubricate BX Microscope Fine Focus

Read the Edited Video Transcript for ‘Re-lubricate BX Microscope Fine Focus’

Hi, this is Chad with Munday Scientific. Today we’re going to talk about how to remove the fine focus spindle from an Olympus BX series microscope. This applies to BX2 models—specifically the BX41, BX45, and BX51.

To start, you’ll need to remove the fine focus knobs. These are held in place by counter-threaded tension. What I like to do is place a finger in the groove on one side to hold it steady, then rotate the knob on the opposite side. If you turn one knob forward and the other backward, they’ll counter-rotate and loosen.

Once loosened, the knob will come off, and the fine focus spindle can be pulled out.

With the spindle out, the next step is to clean off the old grease. You can use alcohol or your preferred degreaser. If you’re using something harsh, like xylene, be cautious—there’s a plastic gear inside this assembly, and you don’t want to damage it. So, avoid applying harsh chemicals directly to the gear and keep the degreaser limited to the spindle.

Wipe off the grease using a paper towel or a Kimwipe. Once it’s clean, apply fresh lubricant to the areas around both ends of the spindle. Then, reinsert the spindle into the microscope body.

After that, reattach the knob by threading it back on in the opposite direction. Make sure it’s snug—and you’re all set. That’s a quick and simple way to address stiffness or catching in your fine focus mechanism.

Now, if you hear grinding or notice other mechanical issues, we always recommend contacting an authorized Olympus service technician. But if you’re in a bind or they can’t get to you right away, this is a good temporary fix to get your microscope working smoothly again.

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And you can find us at microscopemarketplace.com if you’re interested in purchasing any of these scopes.

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