Aldis Scope Adjustable Ocular Lens Outer Ring

[hatrick]

I know this is a shot in the dark but does anyone have any spare Aldis scope parts kicking around. One of my scopes has the later adjustable ocular lens and it is all there internally but it is missing the outer ring. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Bindi2]

A good machinist should be able to knock one up on his/her smoko break.

[hatrick]

Here in the US finding an old school machinist is harder than finding Aldis scopes…lol. Seems like everything is CNC now and nobody does small one off jobs like this anymore.

[Peter Laidler]

There is one group around who can easily replicate this sort of thing. They are the model engineers....., you know the sort....., who make small scale traction and steam engines on old machine tools, operated by hand and not robots. You'll need to put an advert in your local newspaper to find them. CNC and mass production is a totally alien concept to them. I regularly used to have No32 parts machined by these old real machinists. In fact, just had a small batch of Mk3 ocular lens retaining rings (counter cells) made.

Like Bindi rightly says, they'd do this kind of thing in their dinner break.

[Surpmil]

There is one group around who can easily replicate this sort of thing. They are the model engineers....., you know the sort....., who make small scale traction and steam engines on old machine tools, operated by hand and not robots. You'll need to put an advert in your local newspaper to find them. CNC and mass production is a totally alien concept to them. I regularly used to have No32 parts machined by these old real machinists. In fact, just had a small batch of Mk3 ocular lens retaining rings (counter cells) made.

Like Bindi rightly says, they'd do this kind of thing in their dinner break.

Exactly the advice I have given once or twice: visit a model engineering show, take the desired parts or drawings along and and get talking to exhibitors. A bit of asking around will soon turn up some likely candidates.

[Roger Payne]

Well, when I first asked machinist Dave to have a go at a couple of these he said 'no', which somewhat floored me, although he said it was because he didn't think he could do them without them deforming as he thinned the brass down. However, he hates admitting defeat on anything, & about ten days later I got a call: 'I've been mulling it over.........bring your pattern over & I'll give it a go'. Appended are the results. I don't have them yet, as he is completing some M1903 bases for a friend, & once both jobs are finished we will go over together & collect the parts.

Afraid I don't know the price until I get there.........I just have to accept that - but he's never robbed me yet.

[Alan de Enfield]

Some folks are just so skillful, it's embarrasing that I cannot even saw in a straight line.

GOOD JOB - a master at work.

[hatrick]

Roger.... those look great!! Aside from not having the knurling on the outer edge they look spot on. Please count me in for one if you have a spare available. I so deeply appreciate the help!!

[Roger Payne]

If you can find the right person the sky is the limit. The nearer of the two SMLE/Aldis/Purdey front bases was made by my new machinist. I picked it up on Friday evening. He is a Biker of all things, but really enjoys reproducing small & often complicated shaped parts. He of course charges me, but is very reasonable. He does it because he enjoys it, & prefers to do one-offs or small numbers, as the kick is from figuring out how to do it.

I think the part you need hatrick is the threaded objective cover for later Aldis scopes with the deflection prism fitted. If I am correct in this I also need one, & it is on my list of things to ask machinist Dave, but it might be a few months away..........I never hurry him, & he's busy on some other stuff in the interim. I can ask him if you're not in a hurry.

[hatrick]

I think the part you need hatrick is the threaded objective cover for later Aldis scopes with the deflection prism fitted. If I am correct in this I also need one, & it is on my list of things to ask machinist Dave, but it might be a few months away..........I never hurry him, & he's busy on some other stuff in the interim. I can ask him if you're not in a hurry.

Roger, that is indeed the Aldis part I’m looking for. All the internals for the adjustable prism are still there but that cover is gone. Definitely count me in for one if Dave ever makes you up one. I really appreciate the help.

Great job on that Purdey reproduction! It seems like there are still talented machinists on your side of the pond.