Leupold locking ring removal

[Packrat1947]

Does anyone know of a ready-made tool for removing a Leupold objective locking ring?

This 24X came back from a rebuild with two locking rings. This only gives me about 3 or 4 threads for the sunshade. I could probably make a tool, but would rather buy one.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Gary Schiefelbein]

Go to the hardware store and get the rubber strap wrench.

 

[Gary Schiefelbein]

Here you go like 5 bucks

 

[Packrat1947]

Gary, Take a look in the end of your scope. Down inside the objective bell is a steel or aluminum locking ring with two notches. That's what needs to be removed.

Just what the heck is a strap wrench going to do?

 

[Gary Schiefelbein]

Misunderstood you sorry.Thought you just needed to get the lock ring off.

 

[dolek]

Lens spanner wrench...one end is pointed one is flat.

 

[Packrat1947]

I made a tool to remove the ring. This worked very well and nothing got scuffed up or buggered. The ring notches are .062" wide by .062" deep. It was tightened down surprisingly firmly. I was expecting it just lightly snugged up, but not so.

Anyhow, I'm going to make a new ring some nice snowy day. The ring is .225" thick and has 6 threads. I think 3 threads would be fine.

I've looked at a couple other Leupolds and they have 2 rings but there is plenty of threads for accessories.

That's about all I know about this situation.


As an aside, I'm not happy about the blackening in the sunshades. But that will be another struggle.

 

[boltfluter]

Nice tool that you made.

Paul

 

[Packrat1947]

I did make a new ring and it came out pretty well. However, I left too many threads on it. So now another project that will involve a mandrel, and I'll attempt to skin a couple of threads off without making a mess of things. Fun fun.

I milled the notches before threading.

Packrat1947

 

[Packrat1947]

Just a follow-up. I pretty much finished my thin/narrow ring. Now the sunshade has more threads to cling too. Not perfect, but much better.

When warm weather comes, I'll adjust the lens so that it's yardage graduations matches whatever range I'm currently at. This should be a lot closer than the calibration the factory does.

I'm going to use Krylon Ultra-Flat black camouflage paint to make it pretty. Birchwood Casey's Sight Black is darker, but not too permanent. This isn't perfect, but heck, the inside of Leupold's sunshade is downright glossy. Not a good thing. I'm guessing the marketers were involved and not opticians.

So this is about all I know about making a thinner/narrower ? lens locking ring.

Cheers

 

[Packrat1947]

Here's what I mean about Leupold's glossy pre- 2004 sunshades. Just terrible. ...And this is an optical company that's been around since 1907!

That's my rant for the day.

As an aside, you can see I paid 320.00 for the scope. I think it had target turrets. Nowadays, I tend to document everything. I'm 72 and who knows how long I'll still be kicking around.