Leica IIIf RF beam splitter glue

[Vintage35]

I got my precut beam splitter from nobbysparrow on eBay. what kind of glue should I use? I know not to use CA. also, I'm having a tough time figuring out which side of the mirror has the silvering...hahaha... I know, I know. it's very thin and looking from either side renders a reflection.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I used a tiny amount of rubber cement.
As I recall the coated surface should face towards the rear-right side.

 

[02Pilot]

I used a very small amount of waterproof wood glue. Remains slightly flexible and is relatively easy to remove if needed, but is more stable than the other adhesives I had available.

 

[Dave Little]

I have fitted a new Mirror in my 111c (1946) and followed Vintage35 link to his very helpful Notes and Photo's
Now a nice bright RF image !
The only problem, is I can't get the RF Horizontal adjustment correct.
everything else is ok
Any one had this problem?
regards
Dave

 

[02Pilot]

Chances are the mirror is not fitted exactly flush with the mounting surface. Did you clean it out thoroughly? I used dental picks to make sure that all the residue from the old glue, as well as any other dirt and debris, was loose before cleaning with Q-tips, Ronsonol, and a blower.

If you choose to remount the mirror, I would set the horizontal adjustment to the middle of the range and try to test-fit the mirror and see that it's within the range before applying the adhesive.

 

[Dave Little]

Chances are the mirror is not fitted exactly flush with the mounting surface. Did you clean it out thoroughly? I used dental picks to make sure that all the residue from the old glue, as well as any other dirt and debris, was loose before cleaning with Q-tips, Ronsonol, and a blower.

If you choose to remount the mirror, I would set the horizontal adjustment to the middle of the range and try to test-fit the mirror and see that it's within the range before applying the adhesive.

Thank you 02Pilot Yes you were correct, careful clean and all is now ok!
It is a joy to use now! a Rangefinder the works. bright RF patch.

regards
Dave

 

[02Pilot]

Good job. A Barnack with a nice new mirror is great fun to use.

 

[Vintage35]

I have fitted a new Mirror in my 111c (1946) and followed Vintage35 link to his very helpful Notes and Photo's
Now a nice bright RF image !
The only problem, is I can't get the RF Horizontal adjustment correct.
everything else is ok
Any one had this problem?
regards
Dave

I see you got it fixed, that's great! a note for anyone else who reads this, get the vertical correct first. just spin the left inner lens ever so slightly, a bit at a time until the vertical is correct. I noticed on mine, if the vert. is off, so is the horiz. when I corrected the vert. the horiz. corrected itself.

 

[Jerzyw]

As mentioned by other member cleaning the brass holder is absolutely necessary. Leica did use a glue based on resin, it may be washed out with acetone. In case someone used another glue before you may remove it by heating up the brass holder to approx 80-90 Celsius and then remove mechanically. In case there are some old glue residues you may have vertical or horizontal alignment off or both. Yes, coated surface shall point to the rear. In order to determine which side has coating you may take sharp, thin knife or vidium and slightly scratch either upper or lower part of mirror, very close to the edge. This part of the mirror rests anyhow on the holder, so it does not matter. For regluing I use UV glue. Place the mirror in the holder, with toothpick apply a bit of a glue on the brass edges up and down and use UV light to harden. Take care not to take too much glue.