M84 Scope, Lens cleaning advice please

[Redhorse]

I have an M84 US scope that works fine but the
lens have dust on the inside.I have read that these
are designed to come apart at either end for cleaning
and are sealed with an o-ring.The ends are steel with
two small hole opposite to each other and look like they
screw into the tube.I would like advice how to unscrew
them and clean the lens,then reinstall.Anyone done
this?Instruction on how to do this would be muchly
appreciated.Regards Redhorse

[Badger]

Never taken mine apart myself, but here's an entry in our U.S. - Milsurp Knowledge Library that might might be helpful sometime.

Regards,
Badger ... :D

M84 Sniper Telescope - Repair Services and Parts

http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerdog/generalstorage/piclinks/icons/M84-Telescope-Repair.pdf.jpg (http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerdog/generalstorage/piclinks/M84-Telescope-Repair.pdf)

(Click PIC to read and save Adobe PDF File)
(Right Click on PIC and choose "Save Target As..." to download PDF file)

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[Redhorse]

Thanks Badger for the list of repair shops and phone numbers.
Regards Redhorse

[stencollector]

I tore mine down about a year back, no problems. I made a wrench out of a piece of tin. Basically just dished one edge of a 1" square piece of 15guage so it would clear the lense while catching both slots. There was ample amounts of caulking compound on the threads, enough that no extra was required for reassembly. Some Q tips along with some lense cleaner will make the insides look like new. Don't do this on a humid day, or you will be looking at long term trouble. Best bet is if you can get someone who is into optics to purge it with dry nitrogen afterwards.

[Redhorse]

Thank you .That is what I was looking for exactly.:clap: Regards Redhorse

[stencollector]

Do let us know how it turns out. Mine worked great. The problem was the same as what you have, dust or dried caulking on the inside of the lenses.

[Redhorse]

I'm just rigging up a tool.My M84 has two small holes instead
of slots,but same idea.I picked up some mild lens cleaner
from the optimologist here in town.I'll report what I break
:lol: Regards Redhorse

[Claven2]

just thinking out loud, but i wonder if a microfibre lense cloth might be better as it uses no cleaning fluid which can streak?

[Redhorse]

Thanks Claven,good idea,I'll pick one up and try that first.Regards
Redhorse

[stencollector]

I got the Q-tip and lense cleaner idea from the FCS optics guys at work. If it's good enough for those underworked spec-pay monkeys, it's good enough for me.

But as mentioned above, they would always follow up the opening of an optical device with a nitrogen purge. I used to have them do any scopes I had, and their adapters fit the no32 Enfield scopes quite nicely.

[Redhorse]

Thanks guys,I'll be rigged both ways except for nitrogen purge.
I'll have to see what I can do about that.Stencollector,is that
something I have to do or can I get by without it?I'm not sure if
I can get that done here in town.I realize I may be cleaning it
again if I don't do it.

[stencollector]

The nitrogen purge takes out moisture and as well displaces any other air (co2 or oxygen) which can support fungus growth inside the scope. To check for fungus in a scope, look through the wrong end of the scope and focus on the lenses. I was not an FCS tech myself, so I don't know all the details, but on some of the scopes (the Elcans come to mind), the guys were using a pressure cooker type setup to purge them. On a scope like the no32, they had adapters for the scopes. I believe the 84 scope is similar.
If you know anyone in the regular force military with ties to the EME trades, they can likely get the job done for you, usually for the price of a bottle or less.

[Redhorse]

Well boys,ham hands had a go at the M84 today,needless
to say,I have to send it out.I have friends on the base
here but not in the right sections.I did'nt break anything
but it is worse,more spots and blurry to boot.So I took it
from dirty but working to unusable at this point.I did the
lens cleaner and scope cloth,the more I worked on it the
worse it got:dunno:.Any suggestions where I can get it
cleaned and tuned up back to spec.I don't want to send
it to the states,it is military marked and I don't think I'll
get it back.I would like to find a place that not only would
do a good job but have a decent turn around time.Anyone
on here qualified?The motto of the story is a clutz should
not work on optics:o I am more than willing to pay to get
this done.Thanks Redhorse

[Badger]

I stand to be corrected, but I believe this individual works on old scopes, such as Weaver's etc., plus I think he's located someplace in western Canada. Send an email and enquire if he can help you.

Harvey Trace
htrace@telusplanet.net

Regards,
Badger

[Claven2]

another option is to track down Peter Laidler. IIRC he's in the UK and specializes in vintage sniper scopes.

[Redhorse]

Thanks guys,I have sent an email to Harvey.Hey stencollector
want to take a shot at looking over my M84.:lol: Regards Redhorse

[Redhorse]

Harvey Trace's son in law now does the scopes.Trace Scope Repair
in Calgary AB. ph no. 403 295 1534.He's gone at the end of the week
for a month but can do it no problem.Thanks Redhorse

[stencollector]

Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you. Did you just remove internal lenses or just the glass on the end? And why blurry? As I mentioned before, I was not an FCS tech, so while I am brave enough to work on my own scopes, I would not do it for others.
On my first no32 scope, I had the FCS optics tech give it a going over and a purge, and he pointed out the internal fungus growth. But even he wouldn't take the chance and take apart the lenses; he instead told me if I took it apart he would clean it.

[Redhorse]

I did remove the internal lens.I should have left it alone:lol:
Oh well you live and learn.Stencollector.I don't blame you in
the slightest for only wanting to do your own.When I get mine
back in two months I'll never mess with it again.I'm just glad
to find someone who will do it right.Regards Redhorse