Finish on Kodak Mk1 32 Scope

[waco16]

I have a 1941 dated Kodak Mk1 No32 scope (serial 7023) that appears to have the remnants of its original finish - the tube has a black oxide finish as you may expect on an early scope but the turret housing appears to be painted in black 'wrinkle' finish (hopefully the picture shows this).
Has anyone come across this finish before?

Incidentally the range and deflection markings on the turrets are the 'raised solder' that has been discussed on the forum before.

Information

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[Roger Payne]

Yes, the crinkle finish is not uncommon. IIRC the only Mk1's I've noticed it on have been KL's.

[Surpmil]

Yes, the crinkle finish is not uncommon. IIRC the only Mk1's I've noticed it on have been KL's.

My observation also.

I was at the powdercoaters the other day and noticed a black finish that very closely matched the old crinkle finish paints.

KL was also the only maker to do the lead(?) infill on the drum markings, which originally showed through the paint of course. One wonders why they bothered/were allowed to, since white infill is much easier to see in low light and all the other makers were using it.

Beautiful mill and restoration...

[waco16]

Thanks, Roger

The scope is currently stripped for rebuild and I want to get the finish as close to originals as I can, so the tube will be chemically blacked and the turret housing crinkle finish!

Most of the difficult jobs are done - 3 sheared (deflection) turret mounting screws and one stripped erector cell locking segment cover are now done.

One thing that looks a bit odd though is the range turret assembly looks 'skewed' when fitted.
The four mounting holes and two locating dowels have never been interfered with, but definitely look out of line relative to the casting.

[Roger Payne]

Nice piece of kit you've got there.

[waco16]

Nice piece of kit you've got there.

Thanks Roger
Its an early '50s British built Tom Senior Milling Machine that I rescued from being scrapped a few years ago.
Took around 18 months to strip and rebuild (maybe got a bit anal about it in the end!), but it is now a very accurate and versatile machine with horizontal and vertical capabilities.

Its one of those things that you wonder how you managed before you had it!

[Peter Laidler]

What is the bike in the background?

Sheared turret screws are common too, throughout the whole range. But save yourself a whole LOT of bother with stripped segment cover screw threads. Just re-tap and use 7BA screws. This was an approved repair by us.

Skewed turrets - or do you mean skewed index plates? Done so that the clicker plate allows the clicker plunger to click-in at the exact point on the range scale in relation to the index mark. Occasionally you'll also see the little index mark well over to one side too. That is the reason why the triangular marker is on a separate nickel plate, to allow for adjustment.

[waco16]

What is the bike in the background?

Sheared turret screws are common too, throughout the whole range. But save yourself a whole LOT of bother with stripped segment cover screw threads. Just re-tap and use 7BA screws. This was an approved repair by us.

Skewed turrets - or do you mean skewed index plates? Done so that the clicker plate allows the clicker plunger to click-in at the exact point on the range scale in relation to the index mark. Occasionally you'll also see the little index mark well over to one side too. That is the reason why the triangular marker is on a separate nickel plate, to allow for adjustment.

The Bike's a 1982 Yamaha RD250LC that I restored 4 years ago - its the bike I wanted when I started my apprenticeship, but with a price ticket of £1,050 and a wage of £36 a week that just wasn't going to happen!!
But I've got one now, and I'm 17 again every time I get on it
A screaming, smoking two stroke - not politically correct these days, but wonderful none the less...

Its not the indicator that's skewed, or off-centre to accommodate zero - its the whole turret plate. If you look at the photo and compare the line of the plate to the casting it looks a mile out

[Peter Laidler]

Yep, the index plate it is a mile out. I should have elaborated..... They 'corrected' the pointer in relation to the index mark in relation to the range dial in two ways. By slightly skewing the index plate OR by moving the triangular index mark left or right '..... a bit'

It's true about engineers..... No matter what you do or where you go, it just gets into your blood a bit..... I have restored/rebuilt an old wartime Meddings pillar drill. Just sooooo versatile compared with some modern cra......, er....., stuff. But will you be making new multi start lead screws as well!!!!!!!

[Beerhunter]

It's true about engineers..... No matter what you do or where you go, it just gets into your blood a bit.....

The trouble is that others just don't see it. For example, 'er indoors doesn't understand why I need an oscilloscope or an ultrasonic bath. (Both "rescue" tools.)