Fed 3 Viewfinder Bezel/Vertical RF Adjustment

[kpembo]

I unscrewed my Fed 3 bezel to adjust the vertical RF alignment, but the entire assembly came out in a unit. It appears from other info found on the www that there should be three parts: outer bezel, threaded sleeve with slots for spanner (supposed to stay in camera?), and inner part that contains the optical wedge (in second piece). I can't figure out how to separate the pieces. Any advice?

 

[fidget]

They are often locked in place by a paint like substance similar to nail varnish.
Assuming that you have got them out of the camera, you could try nail varnish solvent (often free courtesy of the wife/gf/mom etc).
I've used cellulose thinners for this, because I had some to hand.

Dave

Edit: they can also be tightened up too tight so that they come off as one, not because they have some paint to lock them, this is usually only on the glass to inner ring joint. It won't hurt to use solvent on it.
Maybe the very careful use of pliers and leather/rubber jaw liners to separate them ....good luck.

 

[kpembo]

Finger nail polish remover didn't do the trick. It may be the environmentally friendly solvent my wife and daughter use, or maybe the things are just over-tightened. I applied as much force as seemed prudent - I did't want to damage any threads or mar the surface. So, finally, I applied the Rube Goldberg repair of placing a shim under the entire assembly and cementing it in place with fingernail polish after it was adjusted.

I will buy a more aggressive solvent after the weather warms up around here (so I can store in the garage rather than the house), and give it another go.

Thanks for your help!