Acetone melted bezel lens on Starretts

[Gil P.]

Just like the title says. How can I fix it? I'm thinking of sanding the lens until the surface is flat, then polish. I'm getting shadows on the dial.

I tried polishing the lense, and while it helped, I couldn't restore the surface back to flat.

All the off marks on the lens are from the acetone melting it.

 

[ridgeway]

Get a new one. They are under $10

 

[Gil P.]

Get a new one. They are under $10

What's the best way to remove the lens? Pry it off?

 

[Walt Krafft]

I have seen lots worse than yours. Let a sleeping dog lay.

 

[dellet]

Get a new one. They are under $10

^^^^^^
Been there done that

PT99455 Bezel/Crystal Assembly for 120 Series Dial Calipers

Bezel/Crystal Assembly for 120 6" & 9" Attachment.

www.starrett.com

 

[Gil P.]

^^^^^^
Been there done that

PT99455 Bezel/Crystal Assembly for 120 Series Dial Calipers

Bezel/Crystal Assembly for 120 6" & 9" Attachment.

www.starrett.com

How did you remove the bezel?

 

[ridgeway]

All the ones I came across the glass housing is just held on by friction.

 

[RED DIRT]

At $6.50 each, buy a couple and have one for backup. You`ll use it, trust me.

 

[anschuter2013]

I replaced the bezel / lens on my 32 year old Mititoyo a few years back. The bezel just pops off. I ordered the replacement part from Zoro. Good as new and now I can stand to look at it again! Money well spent.

 

[TTE]

Depending on the age of the caliper (Starrett), some are held in by spring protrusions. Replacing the crystal (in some of them) is not a simple, straight forward deal.

I know .... I just sent some out to have the crystal replaced after buying the crystal and spending a couple of hours trying to get it back together.

 

[epags1]

Did you know that using toothpaste as it comes from the tube makes a great crystal polishing compound....just use a tissue and toothpaste and polish away....do not clean after polishing with acetone ...just use a damp tissue.

 

[Gil P.]

Did you know that using toothpaste as it comes from the tube makes a great crystal polishing compound....just use a tissue and toothpaste and polish away....do not clean after polishing with acetone ...just use a damp tissue.

I've got plastic polishing compound. It worked but wasn't aggressive enough to flatten out the surface of the crystal. I'm thinking sand paper would do the trick.

 

[Gil P.]

Depending on the age of the caliper (Starrett), some are held in by spring protrusions. Replacing the crystal (in some of them) is not a simple, straight forward deal.

I know .... I just sent some out to have the crystal replaced after buying the crystal and spending a couple of hours trying to get it back together.

Is there any way to tell the age?

 

[Thud]

Find a starrett dealer and see them. They replaced the bezel and recalibrated my unit and sent it back in a new red box.
Cost was 0.00

 

[Gil P.]

The bezel and lens (crystal?) came off easily. I was able to pull it off easily. Hope it goes back on easy.

 

[dellet]

Mine was a simple pop on and off. On was more difficult off. This was some years ago and the replacement was steel. Now I understand the replacement ring is plastic.

I called to order the part, that might indicate time frame, asked if it was a straight forward replacement, and instructions were basically to tape off the area under the dial to protect the finish. Two small screw drivers on opposite sides and instead of levering, twist the screw drivers to pop off the ring. If it felt tight, rotate the ring.

Before doing anything, based on @Thud experience, I’d make a call or send an email before I tried anything. Price of postage is cheap, as long as time isn’t too long to get it done.

Typing while you posted, you’re halfway there.

 

[Gil P.]

 

[ricco1949]

I

Did you know that using toothpaste as it comes from the tube makes a great crystal polishing compound....just use a tissue and toothpaste and polish away....do not clean after polishing with acetone ...just use a damp tissue

Tooth paste was a standard polishing compound for hard contact lenses when we were kids...circa 70s.

 

[Gil P.]

I sanded the melted down and polished. It came out pretty good. I used 1500 and 2000 grit sanding paper.
Now I'm having a hard time getting the plastic crystal back inside the bezel.

 

[anschuter2013]

It looks like the lens has yellowed pretty badly over the years. Possibly from oil and cleaning chemicals. Do yourself and that fine tool right, buy a new bezel and lens so I can sleep at night. LOL!