Sherline Lathe with Stereo Microscope—Instructions

The purpose of the microscope and mount

There are a number of circumstances that might make extremely close inspection of the cutting of a part on the lathe important. First of all, this mount can be of use to those whose failing eyesight makes it difficult for them to work on parts. It is also useful for those with normal eyesight who work on extremely small parts. In addition, those who are tasked with working on very high value parts where a mistake can be costly will want to have the best possible view of what they are doing to assure a perfect cut the first time and every time. Added to the value of the purchase of this accessory is the fact that the microscope itself comes as a complete unit with its own base in addition to the lathe mount base, so it can be used apart from the lathe for other inspection purposes in the shop or lab.

The microscope is shown here with the stand and armrests that come with it. When used as a stand-alone inspection scope, the light source can be mounted in the base with a glass slide under the stage and a reflecting mirror for lighting an object from below as shown here or the metal stage can be used and the light relocated to the pivoting mount on the head to light the subject from the top. Two pairs of eyepieces (8x and 14x magnification) are provided along with a bulb and two spares. The third 8x eyepiece contains a measuring scale. An alternate measuring grid lens is provided in the small white case. An instruction book comes with the scope and Sherline provides a supplement with additional setup information along with the lathe base. A vinyl dust cover (not shown) is also included. (Click on photo to view a larger image.)

Assembling the lathe microscope mount

The sturdy Sherline mount attaches to the lathe table with two 10-32 socket head cap screws and T-nuts. Shown here is a prototype base. The production bases have a black anodized finish. (Click photo to enlarge.)

Remove all the individual microscope components and boxes from microscope box. The Sherline microscope mount is packaged separately along with an improved microscope illuminator pivot and an O-ring for securing the light fixture. The microscope comes with a very basic set of its own instructions for assembly as a stand-alone microscope for research or inspection purposes. For use on a Sherline lathe we have some specific recommendations and a few changes to their procedure. Keep the standard base and armrests that are packaged with the microscope, as they can be used to mount the same microscope head for other inspection jobs apart from use on the lathe. The only part you will need to transfer from the standard base is the locking collar.

1. Attach the Sherline lathe microscope base to the rear of the lathe table using the two 10-32 screws and T-nuts provided. The column tube should angle toward the operator.
2. Remove the safety collar from the standard base and column and reposition it about 4 inches below the top of the Sherline column. Tighten the locking screw to hold it in place.
3. Mount the stereo body on the column, sliding it down until it hits the safety collar. Adjust the height of the safety collar until the objective lens is about 3.75" from where your cutting tool will touch the part and then retighten the safety collar locking screw. Tighten the knurled thumb screw behind the rack and pinion focusing system to hold the microscope in position.
4. Install the binocular head into the upper bayonet seal of the stereo body and tighten the upper knurled lock screw to hold it in place. (This screw will first have to be loosened so that the bayonet fitting can engage.)
5. The objective lens comes already installed in the lower bayonet ring. Loosen the lower lock screw and rotate it so the light holder extends to the operator’s right. Then relock the screw.
6. Install a light bulb (found in the Styrofoam box) into the light condenser and then slip the unit into the holder. Plug the cord into the transformer and then plug the transformer into the wall. Turn on the light and adjust its position to assure it is pointed at your work area under the objective lens. (*See the section below on “Adjusting the light” for an optional improvement to the parts provided with the microscope.)
7. Install a pair of optical eyepieces from the Styrofoam box into the two tubes in the stereo head. Use the ones marked 8^x/23. The ones marked 14X are too powerful for use on the lathe, but they can be used if you use the microscope on its regular stand for inspection purposes. There is also a third 8x lens marked with a larger letter “x” after the “8”. It has a glass linear measuring scale installed and may be used if you wish. (An alternate glass scale with a grid design is included in the small white plastic case in the corner of the Styrofoam box.)
8. Rotate the focusing knob until the number 0,6 aligns with the arrow. This is the widest field of view (least magnification). From there you can adjust to higher powers as needed for your particular job by turning the magnification knob. In most cases you will need only the lower powers.
9. Install a black plastic eye guard from the Styrofoam box onto the end of each eye tube. These protect the lenses from stains.
10. The largest white box contains two arm rests that are used with the standard base. It also contains a vinyl cover that can be placed over the microscope to keep dust off it when not in use.

INSTALLING THE ALTERNATE PIVOT MECHANISM—A ball joint system is provided by the microscope manufacturer to adjust the position of the light source. You can use it or you can replace it with the square aluminum bar stock piece that Sherline has provided along with the mounting base. With the standard system, the thumbscrews are supposed to provide enough friction that the light source can be positioned by hand but will stay in place when released. Even when tight there is a lot of slop in the system. With the Sherline part, the thumbscrews are loosened, the light is positioned and then the thumbscrews are tightened to lock it positively in place.

NOTE: If the bulb does not light, before assuming it is burned out, check to be sure the rear cap of the light fixture is properly oriented. Unscrew the rear cap and check that the receptacle with the contact points is fully seated and the small molded boss is registered in its slot.

INSTALLING THE OPTIONAL O-RING—The light fixture is a rather loose fit in its mounting ring. We have also provided a 1-1/8" ID O-ring that can be used to keep the fixture tight in its mounting ring. After slipping the light fixture into the ring, roll the O-ring onto the front end and up against the ring to keep the light in place.

THE GREEN FILTER—The light comes with a green filter installed. It was originally provided to eliminate the yellowish tinge imparted by older style light bulbs. With the brighter bulbs now provided this should no longer be a problem. Some people find the green color distracting. To remove the green filter, unscrew the filter ring from the lamp housing. Use a pick or knife blade to remove the ring clip that holds the green glass filter in place. Reinstall the threaded ring as it helps register the O-ring to keep the lamp housing in place.

Installing the Optional Lens Protecting Filter Kit

Click Here for additional instructions on how to install the O-ring, adapter ring and filter included with your lathe after 6/1/07.

Using the microscope to view your part

1. Turn on the light and focus the microscope using the focusing knob on the left or right side of the stereo body.
2. Distance between the two eye tubes should be adjusted to the distance between your own two eyes so that you can see through both lenses at once. A smaller knob near the front on the left side of the binocular head makes this adjustment.
3. A ±5 diopter focusing adjustment is available on the left eye tube to adjust to your particular eyesight. Like using a pair of binoculars, first focus on the object using your right eye while adjusting the main focusing knob. Once in focus for your right eye, turn the diopter adjustment on the left tube to bring your left eye into focus.
4. The whole microscope is adjusted in and out to center it over your part by loosening the T-nuts and moving the mount on the table.
5. When changing parts, make sure the safety stop on the column is tightened. Then loosen the locking screw on the back of the microscope body and rotate the head out of the way. Retighten the locking screw to keep it from swinging back until you are ready to start cutting again.

The Sherline mount includes

• Mount with billet aluminum base and solid steel column

• Mounting screws and T-nuts

• Improved pivot joint for light source to replace the one included with the microscope

• O-ring to secure light source in mount

The Microscope includes:

• Stereo Microscope head

• Microscope stand with stage and adjustable arms

• Glass and metal stages with hold-down arms

• Light source with flexible mount, 110 VAC transformer and thee bulbs

• 2 eyepieces 8x and 2 eyepieces 14x magnification

• 1 eyepiece 8x magnification with measuring scale plus an optional grid scale

• Instruction manual

• Vinyl dust cover

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